In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery, I take you back to a moment that almost broke me and ended up building me. The truth is, most of what holds us back in business has nothing to do with knowledge or skill. It has everything to do with how we react when we feel exposed. That feeling of not being good enough, smart enough, or ready enough. And in real estate, that happens more often than most of us want to admit.

When I first got into REOs during the market crash, I was just trying to survive. I didn’t have connections. I didn’t know the game. I was just willing to outwork everybody. I’d stay up for hours doing broker price opinions for pennies, hoping it would open a door. And eventually, it did.

But at one of my first conferences, I got hit with something that shook me. I was talking to an asset manager when another agent someone local decided to embarrass me in front of him. I didn’t know what a “tape” was, and he laughed like it was the dumbest thing in the world. I shrank. I went back to my hotel room that night feeling worthless. And in that moment, I believed what he was trying to make me feel that I didn’t belong.

What I didn’t realize then is that these moments happen to all of us. Whether you're brand new or been in the business ten years, there’s always someone trying to assert dominance. Asking “Are you new?” isn’t just a question. It’s a power move. It’s someone trying to put you in your place so they can feel more secure in theirs.

But here’s what I learned the hard way. That moment of embarrassment became fuel. That agent wanted to establish superiority, but he woke up something in me that would not stop. I became one of the top REO producers in the state. I ended up doing business with that same asset manager he tried to impress. I outgrew that moment. And I outgrew him.

Years later, I still see this same dynamic play out with our agents. Newer agents getting shut down by condescending tones. Veteran agents feeling like they should already know everything, so they stop asking questions. That is how growth dies.

We don’t have to play that game. We don’t have to respond on their terms. You don’t have to pick up the phone just because someone is calling. You don’t have to explain yourself to someone who’s trying to corner you. Hold your frame. Stick to the facts. And know that your license is just as powerful as anyone else’s no matter how long they’ve had theirs.

When I coach my team, I always bring it back to this: confidence isn’t pretending you know everything. It’s knowing you’ll figure it out. It’s showing up anyway. It’s staying calm, making your move, and letting your work speak louder than their words ever could.

### Ask Yourself:

1. Have I ever let someone else’s comment or tone shrink my confidence or momentum?
2. Am I avoiding situations where I feel exposed instead of using them to grow?
3. What would it look like if I treated every embarrassing moment as a catalyst instead of a setback?

### Notable Quotes:

“He didn’t realize he woke up a monster.” “You don’t have to answer to anyone especially not on their time.” “Your license is just as good as mine, and I’ve been doing this for 21 years.”

Let them talk. Let them posture. And then let your results do the rest.

 

 

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