It is a great deficit to start with. Being smart, or God forbid "extremely talented", has to be one of the single greatest impediments to becoming successful in real estate.
No, it's not that real estate is a special field; there are in fact only a few highly specialized fields where brains end up doing more good than harm. For example, it is good if you want to be a rocket scientist, university professor, doctor, or consultant. In pretty much any other field it just gets in the way. Here's why:
1. Smart people use their brains to make the right decision:
People with massive brain power usually know that they are smart so when it comes time to make a decision on something, they tap into their giftings to evaluate and deliberate what the right course of action should be. Sometimes this process can take days or even weeks. The really, really smart people usually take the longest to figure out which way to go, sometimes even months.
Its true that smart people usually don't make a lot of mistakes. They rarely lose a lot of money on a stupid marketing investment, or expend a lot of energy running down the wrong path. In fact they rarely run anywhere; instead they move cautiously.
The dumb people just move. They don't know no better. They know that even if they took the time to try to figure out the right way to go they'd probably just screw it up anyways, so they just save the time and simply go. The nice thing about just going is that you can do it at any time. All you need to do is get out of your own way.
2. Smart people rely on their brains to limit the amount of work they need to do:
When you are smart you can usually a figure out a way to do whatever needs to be done more efficiently than dumb people. In fact really smart people usually can figure out a way to get somebody else to do the work for them. When the smart person succeeds at getting someone else to do their work for them, they usually benefit in the short run but not in the long run. By offloading their work, they lose the experience, and confidence that an accomplishment would have built.
Dumb people don't realize that there is any other way to doing something than to just do it. So they do.
3. Smart people fear looking dumb:
People put a lot of expectations on smart people. If a smart person does something dumb they will usually get chastised, so they learn early on to not screw up. Dumb people don't have that same pressure. They are free to mess up as much as it takes to figure something out. This freedom to screw up is key to learning and succeeding. Just look at children and compare them to a smart adult in how quickly they can learn something new. Children, like the dumb person, give themselves the freedom to fail.
4. Smart people count on good ideas to become successful:
Smart people think. They think, then they sometimes come upon a good idea. Smart people know that good ideas are not that easy to come by so they carefully guard that idea to make sure no one steals it. Dumb people know that they are not going to come up with a good idea so they don't even try. Instead dumb people spend their time doing.
Closing message to dumb people: The good news is that being dumb comes naturally to you. There isn't a lot of advice that you need; just keep on going.
Closing message to the gifted ones: Just because you were born with brains does not mean that you cannot be successful; you will just have to work harder than others. When your first reaction is to deliberate the merits of your choices: don't. Learn to go with your gut. Over time you will be able to develop your gut instinct into a finely tuned insturment. Know that your smarts will not make you successful. The most important thing to success is giving a little more than everyone else. The dumb guy knows this inherently; he knows that for him to get even the littlest bit of success he will need to work 2x as hard as the next guy. If this post struck a cord with you and you are thinking that you are going to act more and think less, start now. Seriously, pick up the phone, knock on some doors, do something and don't stop doing it.
Jonathan,
As Thomas Edison so aptly put it "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration".
Thanks for the inspiration....now I will go work on the other 99%,
nice post and very true
Had I not started off reading Lenn's post; I may not have left a comment. That being said... Being dumb is often the only requirement for starting in this business.
I also read Lenn's post first ---- I agree with James!
Jonathon. Interesting banter this morning, but I agree with you and your post reminds me of someone who was fond of saying "You can't save people from themselves".
Work smarter, not harder!
I'm too dumb to understand this post,lol.
Hmmm...am I the only one who thinks this is goofy?
Kelly,
This post is goofy. Of course it is partly written "tongue in cheek", but the other part is very serious. Talent, IQ, or education, are not match for determination and work.
Jonathan- I'm smart enough to know that a lot of dumb people have made a lot of money in this business. and, many of them didn't work hard to do it. However, that's not a great formula for success.
Ultimately, the best combination is intelligence coupled with hard work. When Lenn talks about working smart and not hard, it's pretty apparent that she's referring to the physical work she leaves to others e.g. touring with buyers. While she might not be "working hard", it's obvious she's "hard at work."
Jonathan - :-)
You've got to want it ;)
There is a saying... "A students work for C students."
LOL it sounds like smart poeple got issues!
i think overall the success lies a balance between being smart and a doer.
cheers,
cindy
If you are born Polish you have the upside on Dumd. It doesn't necessarily get you anywhere.
Working harder than the next guy isn't going to get you anywhere either if you don't get smart along the way. People will just take advantage of you.
When it's all over all I want people to say is "this guy was Honest and never cheated anybody."
As far a Real Estate, if you're in this business you better Love it, because there are a lot easier ways to survive.
Truly dumb usually can't take the course, pass the test and last a year. The problem is when people think they are smarter than they really are and have a sense of entitlement. Hard work is the way to be successful and you don't have to be a genius, you just have to be willing to learn from others and from your own mistakes. You will make some. We all do.
YOU ARE SO FUNNY & "RIGHT"! A LAZY HAND LEADS TO POVERTY & HARD WORK IS WHAT IT TAKES IN THIS MARKET!! OF COURSE SOME BRAIN POWER DOESN'T HURT;)
I like it! I persevere everyday and of course try to do things "smarter" but know that determination, passion, and hard work is the formula for success!
I remember a lot of people laughing at me my first year in the business. I wonder where they are now?
Hi Jonathan~ Determination, persistence and consistency will win out every time!
I loved it! I do know some smart agents that just think too much - deliberate too long - always investigate too long. By then, it's no longer the 'newest concept' or the opportunity has passed. It's sad that smart just doesn't do. Hmmm, if I can see that, what does that make me?
Jonathan,
You're a smart one! We were just having a Twitter talk about that. You can dream and plan all day, but you must work hard and quit complaining in order to succeed.
Thanks for the reminder!
You gotta love what you do to make it work for you
...many with natural talent don't make it but those who perservere to the end, work hard will surpass those with natural talent. This is true in all occupations and passions, sports, music, real estate whatever you are passionate about.
Oh boy. You nailed it. I happen to do my best to try and work as smart as possible, but the real money is made when I'm working 18+ hour days (like I am now!).
This brings up the question: What are the "natural talents" people believe it takes to succeed in real estate?
Everything I know I learned from other people. Many times... my clients!
How about working smarter AND working harder?
I bookmarket this post. My nickname among the professional poker community is "Genius" this kind of makes you a target. I like to think I run hard and fast when I get it figured out.
This is the most brilliant post I've read in a long time. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. You wouldn't believe how many times I have envied certain mediocre colleagues for their endless confidence... They just did (however lousy the outcome) while I was struggling with doubts and perfectionism.
That said, however, i've now also had many clients who appreciate a thoughtful approach and understand the difference. (After all, DC is the ultimate town of A students working for C students. :-) )
I have met some amazingly smart people in their field. But they didn't have a lick of common sense.
I too have met really book smart people who not only don't have common sense, do the most backwards things at times...
"smart" is a matter of opinion. I have met many "smart" people who are stupid not stoopid because the one thing they didn't learn is to think for themselves. The individuality, which seems to be a common sense attribute, is sorely missing. Suddenly common sense is forward thinking.
Say what? Who woulda thunk it?
I have to agree that perseverence amongst all other attributes is the best chance for success in this business. However, I have seen too many people that aren't that smart, (me included) that have just trudged along doing the same thing everyday and have nothing more to show for it at the end of the week than the next guy. Knowledge does not make you successful, application of knowledge will do that. I have been the non-thinker and just doer for too many years and I have to admit that as I look back, being able to put the right people in key positions in your business that can perform certain aspects better than you can is not only smart but necessary to succeed.
Walt Disney did not build Disneyland by himself...
Don't necessarily agree with you but interesting topic, nonetheless. I agree with Rebecca that smart is a matter of opinion. Thanks for the thought provoking post.