6 Steps I Follow to Be a Better Me

Welcome back to our "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a monthly theme. November's theme is "How to Be a Better Me." Read on for tips and tricks on being your best self in business from Stacy Herbel, REcolorado Director of Education and Development:

I have always had a passion for education. That passion is vital to not only my success but those around me as well. And here's why. Education, by nature, is a collaboration of different people and interests working towards a common goal with a simple pass/fail mentality on its surface. Digging even deeper, education is the starting point for everyone's success. And in residential real estate, it's the "know-it-alls" who get it done.

I started working in a real estate office as a receptionist when I was 14 years old, and I was always eager to learn more about the industry. I took every opportunity to learn from my colleagues, working in many different facets of the industry, from transaction coordination to escrow and title to training real estate technology.

There is a formula I follow to be successful and it's contagious. For example, I have a strong track record of developing and retaining top talent. Two members of my team who left the industry and then came back to work with me again attest to my ability to create a positive and supportive work environment where I am always willing to help my employees grow and develop their careers.

Here are six steps I follow to be a better me:

1. Have a passion for education

I believe that education is the key to success in any field. It allows you to develop your skills and knowledge, and it gives you the confidence to take on new challenges. I have seen this firsthand in my own career. Students will walk into REcolorado MLS classrooms, often with what they think is a basic understanding of our resources, but they walk out acknowledging they needed the course, had no idea what the systems could do to make their daily business life better, and recognize the benefits of taking additional courses to learn more.

If you want to be a better you, I encourage you to develop a passion for education and look for educational opportunities wherever you go. It will open a world of opportunities for you, and it will help you achieve your goals. Start with your managing broker; they are a trusted resource and a wealth of industry knowledge. If you are a broker that is newer to the business, find a mentor. Real estate is very complex — from contract law to cultivating leads, every transaction is different, and mentors can share tools and techniques that have proven successful.

If your multiple listing service (MLS) offers classes, take them annually. Most MLSs provide powerful tools you will use daily. Having a clear understanding of those tools will help build and support a strong and efficient business. Why annually? Technology changes and improves; you will want to stay up-to-date on what the tools can do for you. Local and national organizations also provide educational opportunities.

2. Do what you love

Do what you love. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to remember that you spend a lot of time working, so you should make sure you're doing something that you enjoy. If you're not sure what you love, take some time to explore different interests and see what sparks joy. Once you find something that you're passionate about, pursue it with all your heart. You'll be amazed at how much more fulfilling your life will be when you're doing something that you love.

3. Become a people person

At minimum, become a better listener to understand people. Being a people person is important because it allows you to connect with others, build relationships, and create a positive atmosphere. When you listen to what is important to others, you can find ways to connect to them. Better connections lead to better interactions. By becoming a people person, you are more likely to be successful in your personal and professional life.

4. Take the time to find technology to make things better for you

It is a misconception to think using technology automatically makes things better. In some cases, you may be going in 30 directions at once, completely rudderless. Technology can provide us with so many options that it can be difficult to decide which one is the best. Take the time to explore and learn tools that best fit your needs. And remember, while most of us do not like change, change is not a bad thing. I have the opportunity to continually interact with brokers and agent who are so glad they took an hour to learn about an REcolorado tool because it will give them back 10 times that in the future. So, push yourself to look for something that better serves you when your current technology no longer does.

5. Focus on growth

There are many reasons why real estate companies should focus on growth. But how does growth help anyone become a better professional? Growth allows you to learn and develop new skills. It also allows you to take on new challenges, find new passions, and set and achieve new goals. When you focus on growth, you are not only giving back to yourself, but you are also giving back to your business.

6. Pay your wisdom forward

When you pay your wisdom forward, you are not only helping others, but you are also enriching your own life, as is my experience in authoring this op-ed. Here are some ways to pay your wisdom forward:

• • Mentor or coach someone
  • Write a blog or article about your experiences
  • Teach a class or workshop.

You never know when sharing your story can change someone else's life for the better.

Finally, there is one key element that ties all six of these points together, and that is the importance of connecting one-on-one with those you encounter. Whether it's agents, brokers, clients or someone who is overtly critical of what you are doing, take a moment to take them aside and ask them to tell you more about the issues they face day to day. And then, listen. Listen closely. Because within their remarks is the answer to a very fundamental question in everyone's ongoing education: How can I learn to be a better me?

Bolstered by 35 years of real estate experience, Stacy Herbel is the Director of Education and Development at REcolorado, where she oversees the instruction of 25,000 subscribers. In 2013, she managed training throughout a corporation-wide software conversion and successfully transitioned over 14,000 agents in three months. In 2020, she seamlessly navigated education offerings onto an online platform to ensure continued education opportunities for REcolorado subscribers during the pandemic. Stacy is well-versed in adult learning best practices and has gained expertise in all contemporary training modalities.

More in this series

• Protecting Your Identity for Free: A Quick and Easy Guide
• How to Build Better Real Estate Listings with Immersive Content