Monday Morning MOJO 10/22/07

Good Morning MOJO,

I met a guy last week that is a true success story. He is coming to work for Intero, but is not starting until after the first of the year so I can’t mention his name yet. However, his story of rags to riches was so inspiring I could not wait to share it.

Unable to speak English, he came to the United States chasing the American Dream at the age of 17 with his 13 year old brother and nothing more than the clothes on their back. He and his brother lived in a garage sleeping on the floor for their first several months here until he earned enough money, working at McDonalds, so that they could afford a place for them to live. At the age of 19 he got married and proceeded to have 2 children. He became a Cab Dispatcher and then a Cab Driver in San Francisco working 16 hours a day 7 days a week, using his tips to support his family and saving his modest salary to purchase a small home in Pacifica. He did this for 13 years, then September 11, 2001 happened and the travel industry came to a screeching halt…too many cab drivers and not enough business. He had to sell his modest home, packed up his family and moved to San Diego. He always dreamed of having a job where he could wear a suit and the 2 possible options which came to mind where stock broker or real estate agent. With the stock market crash, he knew that was not a very good option. So, with no money in the bank and a small 401K of less than ten thousand dollars he cashed out so they could live, he decided to get his real estate license. About 4 months into the 6 month process of getting his license, he decided to contact several real estate companies in San Diego and met a top producing Realtor. He asked him to show him the ropes and the agent agreed. That is when the reality of selling real estate set in. All he saw from the outside was what most people not in our industry see. It looks easy…people driving around in nice cars, wearing nice clothes and all you have to do is hold a few open houses, show a some houses and you will make a lot of money. He showed up to work where the agent gave him a desk and a phone and instructed him to start calling. He worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 months cold calling 250 people a day…FOR FREE!!!!

Finally he got his license but had no money left and his family was about to get kicked out on the street. He found a Broker who would hire him and worked for 72 hours non stop and some how put 2 homes in escrow (remember the average Realtor in the State of California sells less than 2 homes a year). He then some how convinced his Broker to give him an advance on his commission so his family would not get thrown out in the street. He continued to work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and started to make it happen. His wife’s family lives in the Bay Area and she wanted to move back home. So they packed it up and moved back to the Bay Area where he started real estate from scratch a 2^nd time. Just 2 years later he sold 50 homes and made over $1,000,000. Today he’s a successful real estate professional driving in that Mercedes, wearing those nice clothes and has money in the bank. His wife drives a Porsche and he is living the American Dream. He still is working 7 days a week. The most amazing thing is how humble he still is. After all this, he comes from a place of total gratitude. He is thankful for the life he has been able to create and he has no sense of entitlement.

In my job, I get the privilege of meeting a lot of different people, from all different backgrounds. From those who where born and raised in the Bay Area, went to the best colleges and have lived here all their lives…to people who came to this country with nothing more than the clothes on their back. I meet people who make millions of dollars a year and those who can’t even pay their rent. What is the difference? The interesting thing I have discovered is that your level of success does not seem too be dependent on the back ground you come from. Actually, I think there are more people who become a huge success that came here with nothing more than the clothes on their back than those who where born and raised here. Why? Because those who come to this country with nothing more than the clothes on their back have No Ego….No Options…No boundaries…place No Blame…are Incredible Persistence…Accept Personal Responsibility…all they see is the opportunity and not the road blocks to getting what they want in life…they are willing to truly work their ass off and do whatever it takes. Not just show up…buy really work their ass off and do whatever it takes.

So, you aren’t getting what you want? And I am not just talking financially…I am talking spiritually, in your job, in your relationships, your health…YOUR LIFE!!! Read this again and then tell me…are you really doing everything you can…are you really working your ass off and doing whatever it takes or are you just kidding yourself, making excuses and bouncing along…just hoping?

Get out and make it a great week!!!!!

Luck does not just happen...it is created when preparation and opportunity meet.

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder

Intero Real Estate Services
Direct: 650.622.1225 or 408.342.3001
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com