Desperation Is A Slow Burn In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery… I dive into a powerful realization about what truly makes us stand out as an organization. As we enter the final quarter of 2024, I reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. This isn’t just about selling homes—it’s about developing agents into business owners who can thrive independently. It all started with a breakfast burrito after a tough hike up Camelback Mountain. I found myself in conversation with a friend of my nephew, someone who runs a marketing company. He asked me a question that really solidified things for me:
What sets Az & Associates apart? And without hesitation, I laid it all out. We’re not your typical real estate company. We don’t market to homebuyers or sellers—we’re laser-focused on developing agents. Our clients are the agents themselves, and our mission is to support them through coaching, training, and mindset development. That’s our passion, and that’s why we’re here. I talked about how important it is for agents to take full responsibility for their success. I can’t handhold anyone through the process. My job is to provide the tools and perspective, but the work has to be done by the agent. There's no magic fix, no shortcut, and certainly no system—like AI—that can take over for you. Even companies with the best technology, like Zillow, still rely on thousands of employees to make it work. So why do we think it can be automated? The hard truth is that success in business is not about avoiding the challenges but embracing them. If you’re looking for a way to escape the stress, you’re in the wrong business. Desperation builds slowly over time, and avoiding the work just makes things worse in the long run. I reminded myself, and my agents, that we have to stay focused on what matters—generating leads, building our brand, and doing the work, day in and day out. The main takeaway is simple: Know what you want, and do what’s required to achieve it. If you’re not clear on your vision or are looking for shortcuts, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. The pressure and stress will always be there—that’s part of the journey. But if you commit to doing the work, you’ll realize that the success you’re chasing is well within your reach. Engagement Questions:
- What’s your primary focus right now in your business, and are your actions aligned with achieving it?
- How are you embracing the stress and challenges that come with growing a business?
- What “shiny objects” have you been tempted by, and how can you refocus on the essentials?
- In what ways can you take full responsibility for your own success, rather than relying on others?
- What’s the one thing you’ve been putting off that could make the biggest difference in your business today?
Notable Quotes:
- “We’re not in the real estate business; we’re in the business of agent development.”
- “Desperation is a slow burn... you won’t even realize it’s happening until it’s too late.”
- “If you think there’s a shortcut to success, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.”
- “All I need to do is the work. So do that.”
- “If you know what you want, do everything in your power to make it happen.”
This episode is a call to action. If you’re serious about your business, stop looking for the easy way out and start embracing the work that’s required. The rewards are there—you just have to go get them.
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