Noticing

May 2025

Artwork by Anna Brones

May 2025

Every year, I try to challenge myself to do at least one SUPER scary thing a year that pushes me past the edge of my comfort zone. (Keep in mind that MY scary will most definitely be different than YOURS.). I do think it is good for us to get out of our comfort zone and do something that makes our hearts thump a bit harder. 

This last week I accomplished my goal of completing my One Scary Thing for 2025. I put on a Transitions IQ Workshop that was the culmination of about two years of studying, observing, reading, and certifications. 

photos by @panraveephotography

I also learned so much the past two years about what goes on psychologically when you go from being at the top of your game to contemplating being a beginner again. The very real grief that accompanies letting go of something you created from nothing. Hundreds of people you care deeply about, no longer looking to you for all their real estate related questions and solutions. 

There is a lot of help in ramping up for more in our culture, but only recently are we starting to hear more about stepping off the hamster wheel of work. What comes after and how do you set yourself up for success? Understanding what someone (maybe even yourself) looking to off-board is experiencing through tactical empathy will make for the best kind of transition. 

The workshop was geared towards three distinct participants: 

1. Agents thinking it’s time to consider what comes next

2. Agents thinking they would prefer to partner with someone else who is looking to off-board their business rather than buying leads off the internet to grow their business.

3. Industry leaders who could benefit from knowing what the agents are experiencing and want to create some win-win opportunities to maintain their market share. 

   
   

The smartest leaders recognize that when a great Realtor retires, their book of business is worth it’s weight in gold. Those are people who know, like, and trust the agent and by the halo effect; the brand. I am perplexed why some owners look to this final season of a Realtor’s career as a final money grab vs a win-win solution to maintain market share and transfer that book to someone with a longer runway within the company.

It also seems to be the elephant in the room that doesn’t get discussed publicly. I have seen great agents just leave without a word. Here today, gone tomorrow. What a shame! The best of us work tirelessly to get our Sellers every last dollar on their homes when we list them or try to negotiate every angle for our Buyers, yet where is that drive and business acumen to protect what we have built and get long-term value out of our legacies of excellence?

One of the biggest takeaways of the workshop was that if you do not run your business like a business, you do not have anything of value to sell. Unfortunately in our business, a huge percentage of Realtors are wildly successful despite themselves. The average price point of our homes allows someone to not run their business like a business for decades but rather as a hobby and still make a decent living. But no one wants to pay top dollar to buy a hobby. Don’t be that agent that is hanging on doing one to two transactions a year. We all have had to work with an agent who is woefully and dangerously noncommittal to being up to date on legal, form and technical updates is a huge liability. 

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My workshop featured three of my friends who generously shared their stories. These panelists were the stars of the show. Their generosity made the day what it was. Each brought a different perspective and experience and gave everyone food for thought. 

The first panelist spoke of her partner who has not lived locally for nearly a decade now. But she ran her business like a business with systems that allowed her to keep in touch with her base and continue to feed the pipeline of her partnership.

The second shared that it might not be a one and done. You have to remain flexible. His first partnership did not work out but his second go around turned out to be a brilliant solution with a Team approach. 

The third sold shares to another in his company and reaped a great tax advantage by doing so. 

After listening to all these different stories and paths, I was struck by one common theme, flexibility. Flexibility, more than anything else, is the Life Tool that allows us to be at the top of our game as we navigate from one “lifequake” to another. 

My heart is full of gratitude for the panelists, all the agents who showed up and my sponsors. There was a great synergy in the room that could be felt and I appreciated the agents who generously and vulnerably shared their personal stories. It is often hard to create a vessel where that feels safe in such a short and limited time.

I am told we all got a standing ovation at the end. I honestly do not remember. It was all a bit of a scary blur for me. But I am glad I did it. And that I did it MY way. I think for me it proved that there is a hunger for real talk in our industry. For sharing our experiences across company lines and focusing on the humanity of our experiences. I once again want to say thank you for everyone on the panel and in the room for showing up with open, authentic hearts and minds.

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A couple of people asked why I did not do this within the structure that already exists to offer classes in our industry. The answer is easy. Whether representing a buyer or seller or teaching, I want to be paid what I am worth. I want things done to a certain standard. I don’t have to prove myself and only need to be accountable to myself. I just needed to trust my gut that I was not the only one that hungers for straight talk, community across companies, encouragement and an occasional wake up call.

I follow an amazing Aussie gal, Megan Della-Camina.I saved this from her because I wanted to share it with you. 

“There’s a moment in every woman’s life when she realises: I’m tired of trying to earn what I already am. Maybe you’ve felt it lately—that quiet exhaustion that comes not from doing too much, but from trying so hard to be enough in a world that always wants more. More achievement. More visibility. More output.”

We’re taught that our value is something outside of us, something to hustle for, strive toward, or endlessly prove. But what if you could lay that down?

What if you stopped trying to prove yourself—and started trusting yourself instead? Your worth isn’t in how hard you push. It’s not in how perfectly you perform. It’s not in your productivity, your accolades, or your ability to hold it all together. Your worth is inherent. Ancient. Unshakeable. It was never meant to be earned—it was always meant to be remembered.

So let this be your reminder: You are enough, exactly as you are. You are allowed to rest. To say no. To soften. To speak up. To take up space. You don’t have to earn the right to exist or justify your desires.

This week, when the old stories try to pull you back into proving, pause. 

Place your hand over your heart. 

And remind yourself: I am already enough. 

And I am no longer available for anything less than the truth of that. ♥️

Last Thursday was me trusting in myself, remembering and knowing my worth.

And you know what?  I might have blocked out the standing ovation but it still felt damned good at the end of the day. 

Do something that is true to you that might be a little or a lot scary, what is your One Scary Thing for 2025? Do it! I promise you, it will be worth it.

XOXO,

Coach Diane