Dear Jennifer,

I've wanted to be a real estate agent since I was 18 and your book made it sound so easy and wonderful! Although, I must admit that I also read in other books that you have to "have a thick skin," but I told myself - "I'll be fine because I'll only work with nice people!" The problem is, even "nice" people can be difficult and demanding.

I've finally acknowledged that I don't have the personality for this. I hate it when people are angry with me, and I have a temper myself. I have very little patience for constant interruptions. I hate confrontation and negotiation, and I dread the sound of the phone ringing because I know it's a problem on the other end that I have to solve.

And of course, the financial insecurity has been more than I can stand. Sure, it's great to have those $10,000 months, but they always seem to be followed by several months of zilch - maybe because I spent all my energy working on those sales that led to the $10,000 month. I can't stand not knowing where my mortgage payment will come from or whether or not I can pay my health insurance premium next month.

I hope you aren't disappointed in me. I really gave this my best shot, but in the end, it wasn't for me. Do I feel like a failure? Yes, sometimes. But I tried and I'm glad I did!

Sharon

It’s a rather sensitive subject, isn’t it? Quitting. Yeah, quitting. As in, throwing in the towel and calling it a day. But quitting just may be the right thing for some and if that’s the case, there’s no need to apologize, feel guilty or be ashamed. In fact, it takes a lot of courage to admit that something isn't working and go do something ELSE!

Here are seven reasonable reasons to consider leaving a real estate career.

1. Your market is truly awful. Contrary to the rah-rah's and Pollyannas, there may NOT be enough business to go around and some markets are truly awful. If buyers aren't buying and sellers aren't selling, there's nothing we as real estate agents can do to change that. To determine if your market is viable or not - take a look at how the top five agents in your office are doing. If they're busy and seem to be going to closings on a regular basis, then there probably IS business to be had if you could figure out a way to get some for yourself. But if even the top dogs are struggling, your market may not be viable, right now anyway.

2. You aren't suited for self-employment. Not everyone is cut out to be self-employed. And there's no shame in that. If entrepreneurialism isn’t all you hoped it would be and you’re craving the security of a J O B, then you should honor that preference. You’ll be much happier.

3. Your understanding of what a real estate agent does all day was wrong. Before going into real estate, many agent-wanna-be's think the job revolves around showing property, writing offers, attending closings, creating home brochures and holding open houses. Which, as we all now know, isn't the case at all. If you didn't realize how much of your time would be spent pursuing business, trying to solve unsolvable problems and dealing with grumpy clients, and you don't particularly enjoy these activities, perhaps real estate wasn't a good choice for you.

4. You don't handle confrontation and conflict well. Most normal people would prefer not to have a lot of conflict and confrontation in their lives, but if you tend to avoid it at all costs and literally make yourself sick when in the middle of a disagreement, it's likely a career in real estate will be miserable for you.

5. It's simply time for a change. No one ever said real estate had to be your last career. Hey, if you're bored or burned out or ready to do something different, go for it!

6. Your lifestyle has changed. Perhaps you've had children since you got your license... or maybe your children are now at an age where they're more demanding of your time. Maybe you've gotten married... or divorced... maybe you're having health issues or are caring for an aging parent. Life happens... and sometimes a lifestyle change will also require a change in career to accommodate your new reality.

7. And finally... Real estate is just too hard right now. You know what? Selling real estate is extremely HARD right now. And often not much fun. And often not too profitable. If you aren't having any fun; if you aren't sleeping well at night; if you aren't making any money and don't see that changing - GO DO SOMETHING ELSE! Life is way too short to get up every morning and hate what you do.

Published: November 24, 2011

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn was a top producing real estate broker in Denver, Colorado before writing her first book in 2007. Since then, she has written several more books about the business of selling real estate including her flagship book: Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect, the sequel, If You're Not Having Fun Selling Real Estate, You're Not Doing it Right and her latest, to be released in Spring 2011, Prospect with Soul for Real Estate Agents. Jennifer believes that the secret of success for real estate agents is not in aggressive marketing techniques or hard-core sales pitches, but rather in being competent in one's craft. Competence begets Confidence. And in today's world of increasingly suspicious and ad-weary consumers, having an air of self-assurance and enthusiasm will be far more effective than a slick sales campaign. Jennifer writes and speaks with this philosophy in mind. She preaches that salespeople should follow the Golden Rule in their day-to-day practice of business - treating clients and prospects respectfully, as the salesperson him or herself would like to be treated. Being competent, reliable and fair, and motivated by a true desire to earn a paycheck, not just show up at closing with hand outstretched. She is a regular contributor to several real estate newsletters and magazines, a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and one of the industry's most popular bloggers. You can learn more about Jennifer's "soulful" philosophies at www.SellWithSoul.com. Subscribe Below to Enroll in the Daily Seduction Newsletter Mini-Clinic - Tips and Strategies to Generate Business and Referrals From Your Sphere of Influence! Your Full Name Your Email Address