Real Estate is like Football

Well, here we go, it’s football season. There are things I really love about football. I love that the whole family is sitting together every Sunday, eating great food, having some yummy drinks, and just hanging out.

Another thing I love about football is that it reminds me of our business. Football, like our business, is the ultimate meritocracy. Nobody out there on the football field on Sunday got there because their parents had great connections, grew up rich, or had the right look. They got there because of pure grit and hard work. We get to see the talent and athleticism on the field, but what we don't see is all the hard work and dedication off the field. There are no shortcuts. Tens of thousands of very athletic and talented men would love to play in the NFL, but only 1,696 men play in the NFL right now.

In our business, there are thousands of people who try to make it, but only about 20% do. Success and failure in both real estate and football are due to three things: persistence, hard work, and dedication. Believe it or not, you don’t have to be that smart to be a football player or a real estate agent. You don’t need to have the right looks or pedigree. You just need to do what most people won’t do—push your way down the field, play after play, pushing and pressing until you hit your goal of the end zone, and then do it again and again.

Football games are not won with Hail Mary passes. According to ESPN, only 9.7% of Hail Mary passes even get caught. Games are won with persistence, by stringing together play after play, always trying to move forward, even if it’s only by inches.

So, congratulations! According to me, if you’re still in this business, you are a superstar! Keep pushing your way down the field and always try to move forward, even if it’s only by inches.