Something that I am relatively new to ... within the last 5 years, anyway, is the concept of networking.  No, really!   Where have I been?  Well, I was safely tucked deeply into an unsatisfactory marriage forever, but now, at last,  I am an escapee.  In the meantime, somehow or other this whole concept evolved.  How cool is that? 

So, I grew up in this area, moved away for the duration of the marriage, and returned shortly before the end ... but now live in another community.  Had I decided to "work" my home community in Real Estate, I'm not altogether sure it would have played out any differently, but I chose to start at ground zero in my new community.  I have never shied away from hard work or challenges, but I do get impatient in waiting ... waiting ... waiting.  For what, you might ask.  In the course of building my "network" I have learned that most, if not all of the top 100 agents locally at some point in their career had a big break.  The man I work with, for example, followed in his dad's footsteps and at some point, when his dad retired, all clients and contacts became his by default.  Another top agent in our office was given a terrific listing (a friends' home) and managed to sell it fast ... Other agents in our office then assumed she had some "magic" and began to ask her to co-list with them.  Others asked her to "watch" their listings while they were on vacation ... Each time, she successfully managed to sell something, subsequently building a reputation. 

I have been working with our office's top seller/listor for a year now.  I LOVE the work.  I LOVE the business, and at this point, I feel rather like a racehorse at the gate, penned into that silly starting post.  I suppose at some point I the near future I will have to break free altogether, but in the meantime, I am trying to utilize my connection with him to build a firm network  ... not the same contacts, but getting ideas from  him, building a network of service contacts, professionals, friends ... any of whom may also decide to sell or buy something from me!     Listening to his negotiating prowess - unmatched in this office, is like listening to well read poetry.  He is so good at it and it comes so naturally to him.  I feel like I have learned bunches and bunches in this position ... The latest lesson is all about time management!  Our current schedule is that I come in for the afternoons giving him the mornings to do what has to be done in the office and then he takes off and goes after the listings/or contacts out & about while I do the administrative stuff.  That also gives me my mornings to do MY stuff ... work on MY contacts & organization.  As long as I stick to this, it will be cool!  I just wish it would take off a little faster, ya know?