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When a Job Becomes a Calling

“The fact is that people are good. Give people affection and security, and they will give affection, and be secure in their feelings and their behavior.”

                                                ~Abraham Maslow

Meander back to your old Psych 101 class – you may remember Abraham Maslow and this “hierarchy of needs.” Maslow, a psychologist, studied humankind and what makes us tick. He categorized people according to their most current (dominant) needs –  either physical, safety, social, self-esteem, or self-actualization.  Although there have been more intricate explanations of Maslow’s theory, his original premise makes the most sense – everyone has needs, but at different levels. Take first things first:

  • People need to eat and shelter themselves first (physical or physiological need).
  • Once that’s taken care of, they then think about building a wall, buying a gun, or a sizeable life insurance policy (safety or security need).
  • Once they’re fed and relatively secure, they seek a helpmate or B.F.F. to hang out with (socialization or love need).
  • Once fattened and befriended, they get smug and self-assured (esteem or prestige).
  • Finally, once these other needs are met, they begin to “simplify,” by paring down their friends and social life, and begin sharing their wealth and wisdom with strangers, so they can mind their flowers and bucket list (self-actualization).

FIND THE NEED… fill the need! Some customers buy a snobby post office address, while others want to be close to their doctor or hospital. As licensed real estate agents, our task is to help people satisfy and settle those individual, pressing needs, whether it’s simple shelter, a safer neighborhood, inflated ego, or wanting to downsize after retirement. For most Associates, it’s our job. For others, it’s a career. For a few, it’s our calling.

A while back at a broker meeting, I listened to Mark Given on the role of real estate professionals in fulfilling a multitude of needs, their own and their client’s. Personal and business success will vary, Given stated, based on how you view your role – as a job, career, or life’s calling. The guy hit me smack on the head – you’ve reached or nearing self-actualization when work is no longer work, but a joy, a labor of love – providing good things to others, thus personal joy and satisfaction to you.

First things first, of course. You need to list and sell and close more deals, but once those financial needs are attained, ego and drive set in – you want to be #1, the best out there, esteemed and envied. But once you know you’re good, and everyone else reluctantly agrees with you, you can begin to give it all back! Your expertise and counsel, your experience and empathy. It’s an arduous road – reaching that lofty pinnacle of real estate success, self-actualization … living out your calling, but well worth the continual learning, effort and personal sacrifice. Conquering new mountain just because they are there.