Brokers : How do you deal with stress in this industry ?
Back story : First year in CRE, 31m under contract. I work consistently five-six days a week 7:00 to 7:00 not including call outside of that time. I often find I am extremely stressed during negotiations to the point where I can’t sleep and am unable to disconnect from work. Side note : work isn’t the right word to use, this is my life.
[{"id": "iz88nee", "text": "Man, first year. It gets more stressful. Lot of folks drink heavily. Some find hobbies outside. It is a lifestyle and you have to learn to accept the losses with the wins. First year, you may not have the right perspective. It gets easier and also harder. You cannot treat a deal like you must make it. You have to treat it as if it is the best path for your client. Take a breath. Realize that it gets better. Find outlets. It's life, but it is also a career. Aim to win for your client's and the rest falls in line.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iz92wp4", "text": "Acceptances of losses has been the biggest reliever of stress. There is always another deal.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iz9ierv", "text": "I have all this but I\u2019m a developer and own my shit or at least a percentage of it. If your going to work this hard, own your shit", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iz9rc31", "text": "I feel you OP. Rounding out my first year as well. Was an attorney, thought brokerage would be better. It is in ways. It is not in ways. Just keep plugging. Wish you the best.", "replies": [{"id": "izcbl7s", "text": "Are you doing tenant rep stuff or?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izae4cq", "text": "Welcome to the world of CRE. When I was doing my first big deal (Whole Foods ground up), I didnt sleep right for a year. Working out is the only solution. Also fill your pipeline so that one deal falling apart isnt that big a of a deal.", "replies": [{"id": "izbjjl5", "text": "Best advice I\u2019ve seen yet. You\u2019ll worry less about individual deals falling through once you have more in the pipeline. The losses start hurting less. Incentive to keep BD a priority.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izbfaqh", "text": "turn your phone off, disconnect, and find a hobby.  You aren't working on Sunday?  Go hiking, play golf, do whatever, but do NOT check anything while you do it.  Get some separation between work time and you time.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izbhbxw", "text": "Seems like if you don\u2019t take it easy for a little bit you will burn out. Dude this job I stressful, long, and filled with disappointments. As long as you accept that and have savings and alternative investments down the line, you\u2019ll be fine. Though I will not lie, you will struggle in the beginning.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izbzh2k", "text": "Got find a way to disconnect. Gym, outdoors, sitting and staring at a wall.\n\nI set my limits with my clients very quickly. As in, if you call me at an odd hour, you\u2019re getting my voicemail.\n\nNothing is worth a decline in your health. Won\u2019t make any progress if your in the hospital or six feet under.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izc7ehy", "text": "Stay away from drugs and alcohol. I go for a run until I can\u2019t think about anything but the pain. Same with working out. I liked the suggestion about hobbies.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izck3zu", "text": "Stay as disciplined as you can and remember that it is only real estate.  Yes, a career with good money, etc, etc.  But it is only real estate, it'll work out one way or another.\n\nIf I'm not working out consistently and staying on top of the good habits, then I end up drinking too much and the efficiency of my productivity goes down significantly.  Build up those good habits.  \n\nBased on your post you don't have kids.  The stress does increase which is more incentive to build up the good habits early.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izco3kw", "text": "Counting the money I make helps calm me down.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izctc1g", "text": "There is a healthy peace that comes with work life balance. I\u2019m a better broker, father, and friend since I have stopped worrying about what I can\u2019t control. \n\nHustle, follow up, integrity, and creativity is all it takes to make a very good living in CRE brokerage. This business isn\u2019t hard. \n\nStress, sleep, and peace of mind all have a very obvious compounding effect. Compounding stress over a long period of time has a very negative effect on your life, while sleeping 8+ hours every night will prove to be very giving to your mind and body over a long period. Be weary of sacrificing your mental (or physical) health for a paycheck. \n\nI believe it\u2019s important to be chasing more than a paycheck. Create a few long term life goals and see how it aligns with your current lifestyle, income, and job. If you don\u2019t have an older broker mentor, I would encourage you to find one and soak up some life wisdom from a person who has made a mistake or two in the industry.\n\nJust my two cents on broker life \ud83e\udd13", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "izkfnqa", "text": "You have 31m under contract and you\u2019re stressed?! Ahaha.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j1pbrns", "text": "Get into Brazilian Jiu jitsu or muy Thai they will put you in the best shape of your life", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]