Failure: the Key to Success

I just woke up from a dream nightmare. It was one of those ones where it seemed so real I was actually emotional upon awakening.  For some reason, my broker decided he would acquire and open a restaurant, and all of us agents would be required to work there (Remember, this IS a nightmare.).  We went through a couple of weeks of training and helping to set up the place, all the while contimuing our duties as REALTORS®. Opening day arrived and I came to find out that everyone else had received a time card to punch in and out in order to record their hours. For whatever reason, I was never issued a time card and had no idea I was supposed to clock my hours. (It’s been quite a while since I punched in and out on the job…)

Long story short…I was not going to get paid for all my hard work. AARRGGHH!

Upon waking, I pondered this nightmare for a while and wondered what the hidden meaning might be. After a cup of coffee, I realized I was surely thinking about the closing I have going on right now that is a nightmare in itself.

This transaction has been a whopper from the moment I received the call for the listing appointment. I have been challenged in ways I could never imagine.  After 3 months, we finally got an offer and I worked hard to get the buyers up to about $10,000 ABOVE current market value in that neighborhood.  My husband made a comment once the contract was ratified that “Now, it should be smooth sailing.” Nope. It is never over until it is OVER (and recorded…).

This transaction has gone on and on with the buyer dragging her feet for whatever reason. We are almost a month past the end of the 21 day extension. Now, we are working the contract on a new 14 day extension. I have called the buyer’s agent daily for updates and get nowhere. It seems they are missing a document the bank requires. These days, the banks need EVERYTHING to be in perfect order. My seller’s attorney has started to think this thing is not going to close at all. I am beginning to wonder as well.

Hence, my nightmare…I just might not get paid. After all my hard work and the stress and drama, I may just have to add it all up to a learning experience.  It remains to be seen whether or not this transaction will close. If it does not, there’s a whole other can of worms that will be opened, since my seller is already moved into her new home elsewhere and the closing there is contingent upon THIS closing…

I do a great deal of personal development, and am constantly reading and listening to motivational literature. I am gradually learning that no one has ever become a huge success without a little failure along the way. In fact failure seems to be one of the key factors in achieving mind-boggling success. Failure teaches us how NOT to do things; what NOT to put up with; what NOT to say. If we can learn from our failures, we can do better the next time. I have also learned to accept the things over which I have NO control.

This complicated closing has had me reconsidering my commitment to staying in real estate at all. Yes, it has been that bad.  But, then last night, a friend of mine asked me to help her find a new home to buy. The old positive me jumped back in the game as I remembered WHY I do this in the first place. Yes, it IS about a paycheck. But, it is also about helping people and becoming a better person than I was yesterday.

And heck, the closing still COULD pull through….

Happy House Hunting!