There are so many advantages that a Champion Listing Agent has, let me share some that might not come to mind instantly.

1. Discipline

Becoming a Champion Agent takes discipline. Many of you reading the word discipline have a negative reaction the word physiologically or psychologically. It’s because you have a negative view of the word. The truth is discipline is a primary tool that must be acquired to achieve success in life.

A number of years ago, I started to plan out what I wanted to teach my son, Wesley. What were the tools, skills, characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes I wanted to instill in him? He is, in effect, "on loan" to Joan and I for 18 years. I want the loan to be at full maturity when it comes due.

Once I had completed my list, I asked myself a question. If I could only ensure he got one of these because my life was cut short, which one would I select? It took me only a few minutes to decide which one. My decision was discipline. Now, you might have selected something else from the list for your child. The reason I selected discipline was because, if he got that, he could acquire any of the others in my plan when he needed it. If he really needed something later in life, his discipline would give him the basic building block to achieve it. I also recognized at that moment that, if he learned and acted in a disciplined way, his success was guaranteed. It doesn’t mean he won’t have hardships and challenges; it means he would have the primary skill necessary to work through them. A Champion Listing Agent is not different. To really be at that Champion level, they have to acquire discipline.

2. Sales skills

When you are a Champion Listing Agent, you have acquired the skills to put you in the highest category of sales performers. You have mastery of your scripts, dialogues, presentations, qualifying, appointment setting, personal value, objection handling, and closing. The marketplace, other agents, your company, and your broker/manager don’t determine your success; you do. It’s great to have confidence and control of what will happen in your business and life.

3. Quality of life

A Champion Listing Agent has a better quality of life. They have greater control of their schedule having more quality and quantity time off with family. They have more stability of income because they can project and control cash flow and regular closings. It would be impossible to close eight to ten buyer transactions monthly for an extended period of time. It is relatively easy to create and close double digit listing transactions monthly.

Just like anything in life worth accomplishing, becoming a Champion Listing Agent isn’t the easy road. It isn’t the super highway that all can or will travel on. It really is the road less traveled. The path to a Champion Listing Agent will be much harder. There are more skills and disciplines required to achieve success. It is also harder to find and secure a seller than it is a buyer. That’s why Champion Listing Agents are a minority rather than the majority. You have to ask yourself, "Do I want to be in the minority? Am I willing to exert the effort necessary to reach the level of success to join the minority?" That’s where all the fun is in life!

Published: July 1, 2011

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Dirk Zeller is a sought out speaker, celebrated author and CEO of Real Estate Champions. His company trains more than 350,000 Agents worldwide each year through live events, online training, self-study programs, and newsletters. The Real Estate community has embraced and praised his six best-selling books; Your First Year in Real Estate, Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies®, The Champion Real Estate Agent, The Champion Real Estate Team, Telephone Sales for Dummies®, Successful Time Management for Dummies®, and over 300 articles in print. To learn more regarding this article, please visit www.realestatechampions.com.