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In my mid-twenties, I thought I had it all figured out—I was a pastor, serving a community with my heart and soul. Little did I know that life had other plans.
The abrupt end to my first full-time job hit hard. I was fired by the very church I was so invested in, leaving me with a pain that cut deep. At the same time, my wife had just secured a teaching position in the same small town where I worked, promising a shared journey of service and fulfillment. Until that moment of losing my job it felt like life was all coming together.
This unexpected turn only three months into her job when I found myself unemployed was brutal. Despite the restlessness I had felt in my role, I clung to it, envisioning a future where I could retire with the satisfaction of a life well spent in service to the organization where I started my career five years before.
Hang with me, there’s a point to me sharing this personal tale.
One Ball of Wax
In the depths of my grief, I found solace in a conversation with my mom, a woman who understood the intricate tapestry of a life devoted to ministry. Growing up in a preacher’s home, she illuminated the profound truth that when you’re in the ministry, your existence is tightly bound into a single, inseparable entity—a ball of wax where your professional, social, and spiritual lives converge.
Her words resonated deeply as I reflected on the aftermath of losing my job. In the unraveling of my professional life, I witnessed the simultaneous unraveling of the intricate social network I had painstakingly built over five years. Friends and colleagues who were once woven into the fabric of my daily life were now distant threads, leaving me to navigate the void they left behind.
Yet, the impact extended beyond the professional and social realms. My spiritual life, once anchored in the routine and purpose of my ministry, now sailed turbulent waters. The questions I harbored for God multiplied, echoing through the corridors of my soul. The loss of my job wasn’t just a professional setback; it was a seismic tremor that reverberated through every facet of my being.
The Great Big Realtor Ball of Wax
Much like my experience in ministry, real estate agents are often trained to intertwine every aspect of their lives into one cohesive sphere. The training emphasizes the importance of making every relationship aware of their role as a real estate professional. We sit through sessions that guide us in seamlessly blending our personal, social, and professional lives, creating a unified ‘ball of wax.’
In this world of real estate, we are taught to meticulously craft lists and actively network with everyone we encounter, from acquaintances to close friends and family. Many of us invest significant sums, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars monthly, to ensure our name remains at the forefront of our social circles. The goal is simple: to be the first thought when someone is considering a real estate transaction.
Yet, when we scroll through social media and discover that one of those individuals, someone we’ve diligently connected with and invested time and resources in, has chosen another agent for their buying or selling needs, the pain runs deep. It’s a profound hurt that echoes through the core of our professional and personal identity, leaving us to grapple with the complex emotions that arise when the tightly woven threads of our efforts unravel unexpectedly.
This shared vulnerability invites reflection on the challenges inherent in navigating a career where personal and professional boundaries often blur. Just as in my journey, real estate agents may find themselves wrestling with the intricacies of a life where the successes and setbacks of one domain reverberate through the others.
More than Sales
As we navigate what may be the most challenging market of our careers, the weight of professional expectations coupled with the peculiarities of the current real estate landscape can become overwhelming. The months from December through January, traditionally part of a slower cycle, now present even greater challenges in this abnormal market. It’s undeniably tough.
In a world where every relationship has the potential to be a client, it’s easy to find ourselves projecting a curated, false social media image at every turn. However, beneath the veneer of professional success, what we truly need is a supportive community to accompany us through these difficult seasons—a community not composed of potential clients, but individuals with whom we can candidly share the realities of our lives.
Turning off the autopilot of constantly projecting a sales-oriented persona can be challenging, but your greatest need extends beyond professional connections. It’s the need for genuine friendships, an inner circle that values you for who you are, not just for your role in real estate.
If this resonates with you, if you find yourself yearning for a community that goes beyond transactions and sales pitches, consider reaching out. Let’s have a conversation about building a network that becomes your sanctuary—a space where authenticity takes precedence over salesmanship. Let’s do a Free 30-minute Consult Call and see if there are some areas you may be able to find some low hanging fruit to build your inner circle. Your journey toward a more balanced and fulfilling professional and personal life begins with a simple conversation.
In general, workplace loneliness is an issue. See more here.