"I think I made essentially a mistake in staying in movies. It's a mistake I can't regret, because it's like saying I shouldn't have stayed married to that woman but I did because I love her. I would of been more successful if I left movies immediately....Stayed in theatre, gone into politics, written anything. I have wasted the greater part of my life looking for money and trying to get along, trying to make my work from this terribly expensive paint-box, which is a movie. And I've spent too much energy on things that have nothing to do with making a movie. It's about 2% movie making and 98% hustling....it's a terrible way to spend a life." -Orson Welles-
Interesting words and vibes, don't ya think? Ring a bell? Is there anybody home? Yeah, that's right...98% hustling is a terrible way to spend a life. I agree Mr. Orson.....
For one moment in time, forget about the state and health or lack thereof of the Real Estate Industry right now....indulge me for sec. Why do you do this? Why are you in Real Estate? Is it cause of money? In the end, I bet so. In fact, our society and culture is based upon us needing to make money to eat, drink, be merry, stay warm in the cold and stay cool in the warm. Money is a part of survival folks, fancy me Master of the Obvious.
When I do this stuff, when I write, oft times I am talking to myself. Yeah, well, it makes for a better conversation than a lot I've had with 'Real' people.
At the tender age of 26 years old I worked for a semi- Fine Dining restaurant and decided that all the rich yuppies I waited on and I came across needed a Sardi spanking. Heck, if these idiots can be rich with paper and prizes...I should just get in the game. So, I got in the game. Money, Power, Wealth, Greed.....what the hell is going on?
I bought into it, I did. Point blank, I wanted the power that Gordon Geicko speaks of in the film Wall Street. I wanted control; I thought it best for everyone if I had it. And then I realized when walking down the street the other day....how all that crap really doesn't matter, in the end.
I never got it, probably cause in reality, I never wanted to be a part of it. I want to make a living, I want to love, I want to be loved, and I want to make sure the world is a better place because I existed one moment in time. That's my greed, truly. And as I sit back and watch & listen as the hustlers are running for the hills....I laugh...they have no idea what's about to come.
It isn't about the fall of an empire or our economy, this is our lives folks....we aren't given too many and don't live the ones we got nearly enough. You want news, you want drama and front page recognition...try living and forget hustling.
When I took that walk down that street the other day, I encountered a Homeless Man, probably twenty years older than me. I walk a lot. When I ran into him on this particular walk, he didn't ask for anything but I knew he had no roof over his head to call his own. I also knew, looking into his eyes, that he wasn't a victim, wasn't a charity case, and wasn't begging for anything.....we are the ones with the problem and the solution. He told me so, without saying a word.
Tomorrow will come and when it does, we in the Mortgage Industry have a moral and ethical obligation to help those that need help. It isn't about money anymore, never was, it's about humanity. I don't work for a non-profit entity here, but I'm damn sure of my obligation when I was born onto this earth. Help, don't hurt. Rescue, even if you can't save. Tomorrow is the first day of my life; it's time to go to work.
Hi Jason. Thank god Orson Welles made films....a life without Citizen cane?? No thanks. :) Very interesting post. I was never in it for the money....I didn't make any money the first two years of my real estate career. This life is about finding something your passionate about...something that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. If you don't... life passes you by and you wonder where it went...been there done that. :)
And you're right!! I was just talking to a friend about all the hustlers and how they are really seeing how being greedy isn't serving them well right now. Great post!
Hmm Jason, this story took an unexpected turn. I have to digest a little before I really comment. I was getting ready to comment on the 98% hustle and maybe that's even more in real estate, maybe it's 150%! But your homeless guy kind of made what I was going to write pointless.
Jason,
I don't want to sound preachy here, but it sounds to me like you are on a quest . . . one that I believe can be answered with the Bible and giving your life to Christ. I had many of the same questions and desires in my life for many years and none of it really is important. I have a wife that I care for who is home on hospice, dying of cancer and we know what is important...it sure is not the money.
If you ever want to talk, please call me at 951.443.6259
Now Have a Blessed Day,
John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®
Mission Grove Realty
Pamela - Passion is so important, in any industry, and in our life. Thank you!
Tracey - Would love to see both comments, even the one before what you were going to write was 'pointless'.
I'm sure that you've heard the saying that there's never been a person on their death bed who wished that they had worked more. I think that this is true. Now, I'm a capitalist, hustling dog and a lot of people looking at me would assume that I'm doing it for the money, but that's not true.
I"m in it for the success, the achievement and to help people as I make my mark on the world. ;
Thanks for writing this post, it made me think!
Bob Mitchell
ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.
I AM full of passion and living my life the way it was intended. I found blogging! just kidding. Well, not fully kidding. There is a time and place and space for everyone to find their way...follow their destiny and make the correct choices for enjoying life. Some think it's all about fame, fortune, status, titles and how much and forget about what the meaning of life is about. Do I know? Only for myself. I am in the exact space the exact time I am supposed to be.
I am enjoying my life....I still have steady business and also steady income, I have a wonderful husband, family and I love me. (I couldn't say that the majority of my life) I have fun....with me.
Enjoy your life, take the time to smell the flowers, the coffee and appreciate the things long taken forgranted...have a wonderful night lil bro.
Money.
Good morning, Bicentennial Boy! Love it!
I guess I am really lucky. My husband pays the bills. I work because I want to, and if I want to quit tomorrow it's OK. (In fact, he's encouraged that a time or two.) I choose this line of work and I stay in it because I like it and I'm good at it. I've been on a slow pace because I stop at a certain time of day and turn back into Mom. With the team I'm with now, I assume I'll be more successful and to some I may end up looking like one of the big dogs. I'm not. I'm still a pup and do this because I like it. The pay is still kind of like an unexpected reward, every time. My goal is always to help my clients get what they want, and that matters most.
Bob - I have a simple goal with money myself, making it one less worry in life...
Desiree - I feel inspired to get you out of your perceived 'Writer's Block'. Hmmmm.....
Sis - Thank you, life is all about passion.
Marlene - Very well said my dear!
Sarah - Thanks, lucky you. Lucky even more are your clients. Don't quit Cooper! But I hear ya.
Jason,
I believe if you just do the right thing..then everything else will fall in the right places. Failing is ok...we all learn from mistakes. Just be you and feel good doing it.
Jason, very thoughtful post. My career is real estate because I enjoy it ( 99% of the time ). Real estate is NOT my life. I never worked outside the home, but with 5 kids and the last one starting school, I had to. My husband is a high school teacher so we needed the money.
My first priority is God, and my second is my family. Real estate is 3rd. Sometimes, no many times, I fall short, but those are my goals to keep in perspective.
Jason,
I will always do the right thing, it's in my blood, but I would also be lying if I said I was in this biz and it had nothing to do with my money, I do have a family..
Tom Weiss
True be that Neal, true be that.
I like your priorities Missy. That's a very good perspective to have in my book, er, blog:-)
Tom - You and me both. And until I find a 'Sugar Momma' I gotta make the coin to pay the piper.
Jason- A sugar momma, why didn't I think of that? Oh! I'm married and my wife will kill me!!!!
Tom Weiss
And I'm still working Tom:-(
Jason, hey dude, welcome back!. great topic and there is nothing better than doing what you do because you love it. I like your perspective.. its the only way to go for myself also. I'll share a little something, well at least the tip of the iceberg, if you will. Related the the Orsen Wells post.. it touches on the idea (and so do you) and the hustle and working toward the big goal (whether it be money, fame, etc). Goal are good, but one of the simple keys of life, which i am still learning to apply, is to be in the moment. live in the moment with awareness to enjoy the beauty that surround us daily. Planning is good, but living in the past or future is somewhat 'intangible' and in our mind. I'm trying to live in each moment without thinking about what will come, to a certain point. this is getting long, maybe this can be a post.
anways, thanks for you post dude. good to see others out there.
Occhi, (i think you sid i could call you that) you're in my prayers. me best.
hi Jason, yes.. they are all on my list as well as Karen George (who is fighting and wining breast cancer) and Bruce Bourgault (surgery for removal of cancer on Sept 5) who will recover and invite me to Hawaii to go surfing. (i wish about the surfing part.)
-nick
Jason,
You have it bad, my friend!! I can see that your heart is open and you're reaching out. I hope you and John have a good conversation. It's always great when our eyes are opened to what's really important in life. You see so much more around you...like that homeless guy. It's like that scene in Matrix. Blue pill or Red pill. Take care and thanks for the insight.
Jason, I'm all about the money. I don't give a crap about "humanity" and all it's suffering. From where I am on my perch looking down at every one..life is GRAND. All this helping folks "pyscobabble" is exactly what's wrong with this world. Dog eat dog....that's what it's all about.
How did I do? :) I knew a guy like that onetime.
Andrew - I am very lucky and a pretty happy guy:-) Very well put comment I might add!
Bryant - You did tremendous! I know people like that, loathe the fact that they are like that. By the way, where's my allowance:-)
Congratulations on the feature! :)
I am lucky too that my husband is able to pay most of the bills. I do bookkeeping for a couple of clients which pays the rest of the bills.
Doing mortgages is an unexpected gift where I get to help people with an exciting event in their life. For most people it is also the most stressful. I get to smooth out some of those stresses for my clients.
I don't need big bucks, but the random paychecks make life a little easier around the edges.
Make it a great day!!!
Interesting post. My husband and I are self made - we both come from a modest, small town back ground - what we have made for ourselves is a wonderful privileged life by working so hard at growing a successful business (not real estate). We are in our early 30's and have achieved so much - but it does take sacrifice. My husband travels a lot...we joke our 3rd home is the airplane. We originally moved to south FL to take a year '' off ''...being the entrepreneur I am - I got my RE license! So, I don't really do the "hustling" part of RE - since I am not in it for the $$ I don't hustle, nag or "push" people. I like to think of myself as helpful and knowledgeable. I enjoy what I do and if it produces income great - that is a bonus! BUT, now on the flip side -- If I didn't have my other business I may think quite differently! Either way, if you want something more - you will have to sacrifice...it is knowing when and what to sacrifice...that is key.
Congratulations on your much deserved STAR!!!
Welcome back, you blogger, you! :o)
It's time to stop and smell the roses so to speak...
Congrats on the star, Jason, now stop being so philosophical. Is your silly side dead?
Seriously, I like that we are getting to know you better via these thinking sessions. Keep up the good work.
Jason. There are going to be the folks that operate by a fine line in any industry. I've known some very good lenders who would not think of breaking a rule for a buyer or agent. They just don't do it. If a lender offered to break a rule, and a couple have, I get as far away from them as I can.
One of these days, I'll write about some shady loan officers I have known and folks will know why I don't take referrals from loan officers.
You are back with a vengeance! What a great post. It's nice to have you back.
Two things Mr. Sardi, first very nice....I was older than you before I came to the conclusion that the corporate culture, cars, corner offices and fancy titles were nice but not the end, just the beginning.
I retired very young....younger than most and do this because I want too and love every minute of it....even those days that make me "madder than hell" with something that is absurd with some lame brain doing something that only he would think of doing.
But the truth is extending my hand making a promise and being able to keep it is better than chocolate. I enjoy your blogs and zest for life....keep looking out that window it gets better! Nice post.
BTW....I jammed to the Dire Straights song....I was going to put Pink Floyd but decided...not.
You're on a roll....keep em coming!
Jason I agree with you. It is not about what you have . It is about what you do with what you have. My brother was homeless for a while(His choice). I tried to help him start over and show him what was right. He left and I thought that he had died. About 6 months ago he called me. He said'Thanks- I never forgot that you tried to help me. Now I am working for a homeless shelter. I am trying to let my fellow man know that there is a better way." I was blown away. I had not heard from him for over 10 years. My point is this. Do the right thing. even if you don't think you are making a difference,you really are.
Shaun
Whoa! Ok, don't mind me, a bit rusty and somewhat overwhelmed.
Pamela - Thank you, I didn't realize it was 'Gold' until late this afternoon.
Christopher - Well put, you hit it right on the nose my friend.
JR - That is a reality here in the Capitalistic Society we live in. And like marriage, for better or worse.
Karen - Good for you! That's a nice way to be able to operate.
Rebecca - You mention a very key word....Sacrifice. You also mention a very key way to go about it within one's life. Very nice!
Sarah - Thank you and as I've pointed out, you are too good to little old me:-)
Rebecca Savitski - Thank you for the kind words.
Christy - Good trade off in my mind.
Tracy - I actually like the roses:-)
Janet - I've missed you. Tell you what, sit tight....Sardi Sarcasm isn't gone by a long shot!
Ann - Very true, I want more education in our schools about financial awareness. If you want to prepare us for the real world....do it. That is lacking in my point of view.
Tom - Thank you sir for stopping by!
Diane - You are right and that is my 'Bottom-Line' Goal.
Micky - Bro, we've had talks about this before. You and I know about the mentality of the powerful and wealthy all too well....I'll be a player, I'll just play the game as I and God see fit.
Lenn - I've felt the same in some experiences about taking referrals from certain Realtors. I appreciate the confidence in me, but don't want to ruffle my or my respective firm's Ethical Feathers.
Chris - I miss Rob and that post already:-)
David & Kristin - I think I was born with a vengence!!! Thank you much!
Karen - Wow, that means a whole heck of a lot! That very comment leaves me humbled and somewhat speechless. Thank you.
Gary - Much appreciated and I'm sure I have a lot to learn from someone like you!
Sis - Gotta like Dire Straits, the very name of their group is pretty cool.
Shaun - Wow Man, that is an amazing story. Kudos to your brother and I'd love to hear more.
Kelly - Thanks Kelly, we are probably on the same wavelength.
Jason awe, your an old softie <smiles>
That rates you pretty high in my eyes, and many others.
Great blog buddy :)
Thank you Diane!
Chris - Darn it to all heck, I took one snap today and one more to go before entering my dreams. If I buy Al a round of Pin-Ball, do you think he'd terribly mind if we snapped?
WOW Jason...........Great thoughts.............You are a great thinker.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota
You're dead for a real long time, you just can't prevent it
So if money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it.
Wierd Al Yankovic - "This is the life"
Yes I'm a geek.
Bob & Carolin - Thank you much for stopping by!
Duane - Thanks for the compliments, I can be a great thinker....and stinker:-)
William - We've all had days like that, it sucks but it's over now. You still owe me that phone call my friend:-)
Joey - Fantastic! Consider me a geek as well, I love Weird Al!!!
Hi Jason -
"I want to make a living, I want to love, I want to be loved, and I want to make sure the world is a better place because I existed one moment in time."
This is exactly what I want, and I'd bet many others as well. Sometimes life has a way of sending us wake-up calls to stop and pay attention to what's around us and as a reminder to take the time to stop and smell the roses. I've been trying to do just that this past year or so - taking advantage of some of the slower times this challenging market has brought, and I'm finding I'm enjoying just enjoying lots of simple things. Simple things like sitting on my porch and watching the birds and the squirrels play, enjoying being with my honey and doing nothing if that's what we feel like. I've been doing pretty good at getting home before dark so that we have some time together to just sit and chat and catch up with each other.
Your homeless man sounds like one of those wake-up calls or signals that we get from time to time.
Ann
Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay and your O.K.
Money it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team
Money get back
I'm all right Jack keep your hands off my stack.
Money it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class traveling set
And I think I need a Lear jet
Money it's a crime
Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie
Money so they say
Is the root of all evil today
But if you ask for a raise it's no surprise that they're
giving none away
Congrats on the star. Nice post.
Jason,
Great thoughts, and I enjoyed your writing style as well. Keep on helping and rescuing.
Hello Ann - Beautifully put, fantastic and so true!
Brian - I agree my friend, that's the bottom line.
Al - You have a point, having the money is one less worry.
Rob - Love that Floyd song, maybe my favorite of theirs!
Michael - I agree, I think a lot of us are.
Mitchell - Yes they do, karma is karma.
Brad - Wow, those are very high accolades. Much appreciated.
Steve - Thank you sir.
Lola - "Money is a great servant....but an awful task master!" Great line!
Jennifer - That's a fact.
Jason,
Great post. I think part of having it all means doing it all. Working with a purpose in mind, helping others, and playing the part you were born to. Taking the high road in any business is definitely the more difficult route although well worth it when your time comes.
Now about a lender having a conscience, what's that all about? I thought you were all the scheming, maniacal, people that got us into this mess. LOL
LMAO @ Brian. Good point, I guess I'm not willing to get out of this mess, I'm kicking into 4 wheel drive and taking that high road as I was taught. No wonder I get lost while driving:-)
Hey Jason,
Read your post as a result of a week in review today. Loved what you had to say.
I too was young in r.e. at one time, early 20's, it was one of the very few jobs women could make as much as her male counterpart. With 2 mall kids back then I had to make a living. Yet my very first r.e. teacher (at age 23) gave me the best advice, I've always remembered to this day. Place your client first and your commission second.
Great post, Jason! "Citizen Kane" is my favorite movie of all time, OK next to "The Godfather," but your point is well taken. I started in this business to make money, but I soon became more passionate about the work and today its all about that for me.
There are very few things more rewarding in any career on this planet than helping a family achieve their dream of homeownership. And I believe the next "feel good" wave will be helping people save their homes.
Thanks, Jason. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think it's easier to have passion for your job, life, etc. if you have a deeper, truer understanding of what life is all about. I too am motivated by helping and giving to others. Have a blessed day!
Paul
I loved the movie too Aaron, and I started out the same as you....mentality-wise. Helping people save their home is going to Big going forward.
Thank you much Paul and you do the same.
Great post, Jason! I totally agree with you. I try to help others out in whatever way I can. I believe God gave us each a special gift so that we may be able to help others in different ways. If we were meant to be rich, God would have given wealth to us all.