In the discussions over how much a real estate agent gets paid, there is one aspect often left out: stress. There is a lot of stress being a real estate agent. It is probably the least definable aspect of a deal, yet I believe it justifies a large percentage of what an agent earns. The problem for me is this: stress is hugely unhealthy. My passion is health; lowering my stress level and the stress level of the agents I do mortgages for is of paramount interest to me and I am always on the lookout for new ways to do so.
The following is an excerpt from a book about a young man on a journey and the guide he meets along the way. It reveals an interesting way of dealing with stress.
… I had been short-tempered and I was unhappy. “I’m under a lot of stress” I offered by way of excuse, “and this trip isn’t reducing it any!” The Guide turned and asked me if I knew the four C’s of diamonds. A little confused, I nodded yes and began to recite “cut, color…” “Understand” he interrupted with an impatient wave of his left hand, “people are twice as brilliant as any diamond and require half as many C’s to be happy.” He sat down across from me with a sigh and rested his hands in his lap. He reminded me of Sister Christine, my fourth grade teacher, who often gave the exhausted impression of someone sharing something obvious to her, yet so obviously new to me. “You have only these: Congruence and Continuity. Congruence is how well your inner vision of yourself matches the outer world you witness every day. Continuity is when your thoughts and your actions and your interactions align. Which is just another way of saying ‘Keep your word’ especially to yourself.”
The story continues on a bit about something called The Mirror Effect which, while interesting, would require too much space to cover in this post.
“Your unhappiness is a product of your stress and stays with you because you do not recognize the power of Read more
