In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery, I talk about why supplements are not just vitamins. They are the extra inputs that help you operate at peak levels in every area. The lesson started at home with our dogs. Training them myself worked only up to a point. Real progress came when we added expert guidance. That same truth applies to business, health, faith, marriage, and parenting. If you want to last and not just compete for a moment, you must supplement your life.

What happened

Our dogs used to run wild the moment they got excited. Walks turned into chaos. Vet visits were embarrassing. We brought in a trainer and learned a simple command. Place. This morning both dogs stayed on their beds while Carla and I moved through the house. It was a visible shift. The right supplement changed the entire environment.

The bigger idea

Supplements are not only in a bottle. They are the people you ask for advice, the coaches you hire, the habits you choose, the food you eat, the books you read, the prayers you make, and the actions you repeat. I used to think all my problems were business problems. I kept hitting the wall until I invested in my faith, my marriage, my kids, and my health. When those deposits increased, my business followed.

Ask the right people

Many get crushed because they ask the wrong people the right questions. Do not ask for business direction from someone who has never built a business. Do not ask parenting advice from someone who is not involved with their kids. Respect people for what they do well and ask within that lane. I hired coaches for health, faith, business, and family. Carla is my spiritual supplement. I go to her because she lives in the Word and shares from experience.

Own your decision

Advice is input, not a verdict. If your soul says move and someone says wait, you must decide. Do not hide your fear behind someone else’s opinion. When you outsource your choices, you erode your certainty. Take the guidance, measure it against your values and your vision, then choose.

How to apply it today

Audit your sources. Write down who you go to for business, for marriage, for parenting, for health, and for faith.

Match the mentor to the category. If they do not live what you want, find someone who does.

Make daily deposits into the Prime 3 power. Health and fitness. Mental and spiritual fuel. Family and profits through marketing, sales, systems, and leadership.

Tighten the basics. Eat better. Move your body. Read daily. Pray daily. Set clear standards at home and at work.

Check your environment. Simple commands changed our home. Simple standards will change your business.

Conclusion

The right supplement replenishes, energizes, and repairs. If you want a life that lasts, stop searching for a single fix in business and start strengthening every area that feeds your purpose. Ask better people better questions. Make your deposits. Then own your decision and move.

Reader Questions

Who are you asking for advice in each area of your life and do they actually live the results you want

What is one deposit you will make today in your Prime 3 power that would raise your standard this week

Where have you outsourced a decision out of fear and what choice will you own before the day ends

Notable Quotes

“It replenishes you, it energizes you, it repairs you.”

“Make your deposits every day. The Prime 3 power.”

“At the end of the day, you have to own your decision.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery...

I looked around at our momentum and realized how far we have come. But here is the truth. Growth is never without pain. The market will expose those who do not adjust. It will reveal who is willing to adapt, learn, and push through. I had to remind myself that the grind never stops. And even in the tough moments, I cannot forget the promises I made to myself when I was down. That is where the fire comes from.

The story

This week I reflected on how the tide of the market exposes everything. When the tide is high, everyone wins. But when the tide goes low, you find out who has the mindset to keep going. I compared it to my own journey. From being recognized as a top agent, to building teams, to running one of the largest brokerages in the state, every level required me to change. It required me to sharpen my skills, build new systems, and keep showing up even when the industry shifted. And that is exactly what is happening now. Many agents are walking away, but many of us are growing faster than ever because we stay in the fight.

What shifted

The shift happened when I stopped wishing someone else would fix my problems. I used to want someone to run my ads, handle my follow up, or even train my agents for me. But no one is coming to save you. The moment I took full responsibility for my business was the moment everything changed. I became a better trainer, a better communicator, and a better leader. I learned to simplify the game and help new agents close quickly. That ownership made all the difference. The same goes for how we handle trauma. Pain can keep you stuck, or it can push you to grow. I call it post traumatic growth. I lived it after surviving a shooting. Paulina lived it after hitting rock bottom and then selling fifteen million in one year. The difference was a decision to flip the switch.

The lesson

The lesson is simple. Stop waiting for someone else to fix your life or your business. Take the pain, take the pressure, and use it as fuel. The growth will come when you own every part of the process.

Put it to work

1. Track the only KPIs that matter: appointments, commitments, escrows, and closings.
2. Stop wishing for help and start building your own process.
3. Decide today to flip the switch and turn pain into power.

Conclusion

The market will always test you. It will expose who you really are. Do not waste years wishing someone would come fix things for you. Take ownership and swing the pendulum in your favor. The power is already in you. The only question is what you will do with it today.

Reader engagement questions

1. What promises did you make to yourself during your toughest moments, and are you living up to them?
2. Where in your business are you still waiting for someone else to take responsibility?
3. How can you turn your current pain into the power that fuels your next level of growth?

Notable quotes

1. "No one is going to come in and fix your business. No one can run it better than you."
2. "The power came when I stopped asking why me and started asking what now."
3. "Pain is no longer pain when you decide to turn it into purpose."

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery...

We just got back from a family trip that we had been talking about for months. For us, planning usually means speaking it into existence, not locking in every detail months ahead. This time was different because Carla and I made a conscious choice before we left. We decided this would be our best trip yet, and we were going to plan not only for the good moments but also for the things that could go wrong. That decision changed everything.

What happened

Before we even left, Carla and I sat down and set the tone. We talked about how we would handle frustrations so they would not ruin the experience. That mattered because the trip tested us right away. Delayed flights, missed connections, lost luggage, and canceled plans could have derailed everything. Instead, we kept our focus on the bigger picture.

There were moments where my old habits almost kicked in. When my daughter’s bag went missing with some of her most valued belongings, my instinct was to ask why she packed certain things that way. But I checked myself. Carla and I gave her the space to feel upset and reminded her it was only material things. That shift in energy kept the trip on track.

We also made last minute changes that cost us money. Instead of forcing ourselves to stick to the original plan, we adapted and chose what was best for our family in the moment. The result was a better trip than we could have imagined, even though it did not go according to the script.

What I learned

A vision will always come with challenges. The dream is the easy part. The real test is how you respond when things go sideways. Too often we obsess over the task or the setback instead of keeping our attention on the outcome we want.

In business, this is the same as losing a deal and letting it destroy your momentum. If you have enough conversations, enough follow up, and enough people in your pipeline, one lost client will not shake you. The problem is never just the deal that fell through. The problem is not having enough opportunities in play to absorb that hit.

We need to plan for the setbacks as much as we plan for the wins. That way, when the delays, lost luggage, or tough negotiations come, we can pivot without losing our composure.

How it applies to you

Whether it is a trip, a relationship, or your business, the way you handle challenges will decide if you ever reach your vision. If you let every problem become the center of your attention, you will lose sight of what you were chasing to begin with.

Your job is to keep the vision bigger than the current problem. Plan for the good. Plan for the bad. And when things go wrong, remind yourself the result you want is still there as long as you keep moving toward it.

Conclusion

I am proud of how Carla and I handled this trip because it was more than just about having a good time. It was about showing our kids how to respond when life throws a curveball. That is a skill they will use for the rest of their lives. The same is true for business. You can choose to stay stuck on the setback, or you can check your mindset, refocus, and get back to building the life and results you want.

Reader questions

1. How do you usually respond when something throws your plans off track?
2. What steps can you take now to make sure one setback does not derail your entire vision?
3. Are you focusing more on the tasks and problems, or on the end result you truly want?

Notable quotes

1. “Your job is to keep the vision bigger than the current problem.”
2. “We need to plan for the setbacks as much as we plan for the wins.”
3. “If this is the worst that can happen, I need to check myself and remember what really matters.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery... I share a story that takes me back to some of the darkest times in my life. Carla and I found ourselves buried under financial problems that felt impossible to overcome. From owning a UPS store that became a financial drain to being on the hook for leases and equipment we thought we had offloaded, I felt completely defeated. I was losing confidence in myself and dwelling on how unfair life felt. What I did not realize at the time was that the solution was right in front of me.

Our attorney was one of those divine connections who stepped in at the right time. His calm voice and certainty gave us hope when we felt hopeless. He reminded us that there is always a solution, but it requires action and trust in the process. I had been so focused on outside opportunities that I neglected the most valuable asset I already had, which was my real estate business. It took Carla’s courage to make the phone call to our attorney that started the road to rebuilding our lives.

That call was a turning point. It led us to take one step at a time, even when it felt like everything was collapsing. I learned that the worst thing you can do is stop moving. If you stop, you fail. Our attorney reminded us that every successful entrepreneur will face big problems at some point. What separates those who succeed from those who fail is the decision to take the next step, even when it feels terrifying.

Opening an office when we had almost nothing left was the move that changed everything. It was a leap of faith that set into motion everything that came after. We paid our dues, we negotiated our way out of debt, and we stayed consistent with our actions. It took years to recover, but that process shaped the life we live today.

I share this story to remind you that there is always a solution. You already have people in your life who can guide you if you are willing to listen. You just need to take that first step, even if it is small. Stop saying you do not know what to do. Stop focusing on what you lack. The solution is right in front of you, and it starts with action.

Reflective Questions

1. Where in your life are you allowing fear or doubt to keep you from taking the next step forward
2. Who in your life could be that guiding voice if you were willing to reach out and ask for help
3. What is one action you can take today that moves you closer to the solution you already know is in front of you

Notable Quotes

“There is a solution for that, but you are going to have to trust the process. What you cannot do is sit there and dwell. You have to keep moving.”

“Even when everything felt like it was against me, I had to take that one step, and that step changed everything.”

“Many of the people who guide us are divine connections, but we have to be willing to open our eyes and ears to see and hear them.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

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.

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery

I sat with a powerful question: What are your results really telling you about your commitment?

Over the past six months, I’ve watched this organization hit record breaking numbers. It’s been our most successful year yet not because the market gave us a break, but because individuals decided to make real, lasting commitments. Not talk. Not hype. But real follow-through. And I’ve felt it in every part of my life, not just business.

I used to chase results thinking it was all about grinding harder. But what I’ve learned and what I’ve seen in the agents around me is that your results are never random. They are the byproduct of one thing: your level of commitment. Not your mood. Not your circumstances. Not what your spouse is doing or not doing. Just your commitment.

This hit me even more when I got invited to play pickleball with my daughters. I almost said no. It was late, I had to wake up early the next day, and I had a full plate. But I realized something: the invite itself was the win. That invitation is the result of the time I’ve poured into that relationship. The way they love and respect me is not accidental. It’s the fruit of showing up over and over again.

And that’s what this episode is all about. The results you have today in your health, your marriage, your business, your confidence they all come down to one thing: how committed you are and what you're doing about it.

You can say you want something, but if your actions don’t match up, the fruit doesn’t lie. I’ve watched Carla say no over and over again to things that others give in to. And the result? Everyone wants to know how she looks the way she does. But they don’t see the daily discipline. They don’t see the Tupperware or the missed meals. That’s what commitment looks like in action.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again by their fruits, you shall know them. You can say you’re committed, but your body, your bank account, your relationships, your business they will all tell the truth.

This episode is an invitation to reflect. To take inventory. Because there’s no success without sacrifice. And the gap between where you are and where you want to be? That’s called work. Not just any work. The work. The intentional, consistent, focused kind that most people avoid because it forces them to face themselves.

But that’s the work I’ve chosen. That’s what’s created the results you see today. And the best part? You can do it too. But it starts with a decision. And then it moves with execution. Every day. Whether you feel like it or not. So what are you going to do about it?

### Reader Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life are you saying you're committed, but your results say otherwise?
2. What decisions have you been avoiding that, if made today, would begin transforming your outcomes?
3. How would your life change if you approached your relationships, business, and health with the same intensity and focus you say you want your results to reflect?

### Notable Quotes:

• “Show me your results and I’ll show you your commitment.”
• “The win wasn’t playing pickleball. The win was getting invited.”
• “By their fruits, you shall know them.”

Let’s go. Let’s do the work.

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery, I unpacked a concept that has kept me focused, grounded, and moving forward through every high and every low: the Now What theory. It’s a simple phrase with powerful implications, and I’ve been leaning on it more and more as I continue to build our training systems, grow the brokerage, and evolve both as a leader and business owner.

### Obsession With Progress or Obsession With Competition

I found myself reflecting on how easy it is to get caught up in what others are doing how another brokerage is scaling, what agents are posting on social media, how many deals someone else just closed. That kind of comparison does nothing but drain your energy. I’ve been there. Hitting 300 million in sales should have felt like a celebration, but instead, I saw someone else hit a billion and suddenly my win felt like a loss. That’s the trap.

Every time we compare, we leak power. We trade focus for anxiety. And every moment spent obsessing over what someone else has achieved is a moment taken away from building something meaningful for ourselves.

### The Real Trigger

So I stopped asking, Why are they ahead of me? and started asking, Now what am I going to do about it?

That one question has reframed my entire perspective. Whether it’s a team member leaving, a deal falling through, or watching someone boast about numbers that don’t even match public records my work is not to prove them wrong or call them out. My job is to get back to work. Get better. Make improvements. Stay in motion.

When you feel triggered by a loss, a betrayal, a comparison, a bad review ask the question that actually moves the needle. Now what?

### The Training System That Changed Everything

This mindset is exactly how I built the training system we have today. It didn’t come from copying anyone else. It came from frustration. From falling short. From having to record, rerecord, pivot, scrap, build again, over and over. And now? We’ve got the best sales per agent ratio of any major brokerage because I focused on what I could control.

One video at a time. One module at a time. One consultation. One workshop. That’s how it all grew. And that’s how it’s still growing.

### Protecting Your Energy

Any time you spend your energy trying to stifle your competition, gossip about an ex staff member, or worry about someone taking your clients, you’re avoiding your real work. The truth is, if a client can be taken, maybe you didn’t do what was required to keep them. That’s a hard truth. But it’s the only one that will help you grow.

The goal is not to suppress someone else’s business. It’s to improve yours. Obsession over your competition is energy lost. Obsession over your mission is momentum gained.

### It’s Not a Race

You don’t need to be first. You just need to keep going. Wanting more is not the problem. Obsessing over how someone else got more is.

You finally got that deal? Great. Now what are you going to do about it? You had your best month ever? Good. Now what?

There is no finish line. So stop acting like you just crossed one. Keep the momentum. Keep the obsession on your progress not theirs.

### Reflect and Apply

1. Where in your life or business are you currently obsessing over someone else’s success instead of focusing on your next move?

2. What trigger recently caused you to feel like you weren’t doing enough? What is your Now what response to that?

3. What small, immediate action can you take today that brings the focus back to building your business?

### Notable Quotes

“Every time we compare, we leak power.”

“Obsession over your competition is energy lost. Obsession over your mission is momentum gained.”

“The real question is never about them. It’s always: Now what am I going to do about it?”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery, I dive into something we all face but rarely talk about openly—what happens when the darkness hits. When you’ve been betrayed, when things fall apart, when you feel like you’ve lost everything and the pain is just too much. It’s that quiet moment where negativity creeps in and starts to control your every thought, paralyzing you and making you forget how powerful you actually are.

I shared where I’ve been—flat on my back, both figuratively and literally, unable to get up because the weight of failure, financial struggle, and shame was too heavy. That energy is real. It strips you of your memory, your growth, your accomplishments. It makes you forget that you’ve already overcome so much. It turns every little thought into fear, every memory into regret.

But here’s the shift. That pain, that shame, those dark moments—those can be the fuel. I don’t try to erase them anymore. I tap into them. Not to wallow, not to relive the suffering, but to remember that if I got through that, I can get through anything. Every one of those painful moments gave me a skill set, a lesson, a mindset that made me who I am.

I use that memory now like a weapon. I remember how it felt to be broke, to feel like a failure, to be belittled. But now I say, let me show you what I’m made of. Let me show you that same energy can push me forward.

This episode is a reminder that you're not broken. You're battle tested. The power of negative energy is real, but so is your ability to flip it. You’ve already proven you can overcome. And if you can remember that—if you can tap into that place without drowning in it—you become unstoppable.

### Reflect on This:

1. What is a painful memory you usually try to forget—but could actually use as fuel for your next move?
2. Are you dwelling in your past pain or using it to push yourself forward?
3. How can you remind yourself daily of how far you’ve already come?

### Quotes to Remember:

• “That negative energy is so strong that if it could break me, it can also make me.”
• “You are undefeated. You’re still here.”
• “If I can get through that, I can definitely get through this. Let me show you what I’m made of.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery, I open up about something that we all carry but rarely stop to dissect: guilt. It’s sneaky. It creeps in during the quiet moments after long work weeks, during family decisions, and when we feel stretched too thin. This episode wasn’t just about a spontaneous trip to Universal Studios with my daughters. It was about understanding how guilt can distort our memories, cloud our judgment, and keep us from truly being present. But more importantly, it was about choosing what to do with that guilt right now.

Over the years, I’ve told myself stories. That I worked too much. That I wasn’t present enough. That I didn’t have patience. And while I believed those things, my daughters remembered something different. They remembered the volleyball practices. They remembered Disneyland. They remembered me showing them how to edit on their iPads. And it made me realize how powerful our own stories can be and how wrong we are when we let guilt rewrite our legacy.

I almost let my own guilt steal an opportunity to create a powerful memory with my daughters. I almost passed on a trip that turned into one of the best experiences we’ve had together. The reality is, we work hard to earn that flexibility, but if we don’t take action in the present, guilt will always convince us we don’t deserve it.

This lesson isn't just for home it applies to business too. Guilt from not following up. Guilt from not posting. Guilt from not showing up strong for your clients. We sit in that space and call it accountability, but accountability without action is just self-punishment. You say you take responsibility but then what? What are you doing right now to change it?

It’s time to stop looking back at where we fell short and start doing something right here, right now. One call. One text. One post. One moment of presence. That’s where expansion begins. And when you take that action now, it doesn’t just shape your future. It transforms your past and your present too. Expansion grows every way, not just forward. The guilt doesn’t have to weigh you down if you’re willing to move.

Ask Yourself

1. What guilt have you been holding onto that’s slowing down your growth or happiness?
2. What is one action you can take today to move forward in your business or relationships?
3. How might your story change if you stopped focusing on what you didn’t do and started acting on what you can do now?

Notable Quotes

• “We can all feel belittled by what we have. Or we can just think about what we can do right now to get a little closer to that bigger vision.”
• “Time doesn’t necessarily mean quality. You don’t have to sabotage one or the other. You can do both.”
• “Accountability without action is just self-punishment.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com

In this episode of the podcast, I talk about something that’s always been at the core of our success—preparation. And not just the idea of it, but what it really looks like when you execute with focus and intention. Whether you’re brand new to the business or already have years under your belt, preparation will always be the key difference between the ones who succeed quickly and those who stall out. I’ve seen both. This week I reflect on the stories of agents who are dominating just days into the industry, and others who finally broke through after a rough season—both because they committed to preparing.

The Difference Between Ready and Not Ready

This week reminded me how fast things can move when the vision is clear and the effort is real. I shared the story of an agent who was just four days in and already locked in a listing appointment, followed up, secured the deal, and had everything signed. Why? Because she followed the plan. She watched the trainings. She asked questions. She relied on her life experience and put in the work. She didn’t wait for me or Carla or a transaction coordinator to hold her hand. She prepared ahead of time and executed when the opportunity came. That’s what real leadership looks like.

Then there’s the flip side. The agents who hesitate. Who sit on their hands waiting to be walked through every step. And when that happens, there’s no growth. There’s no confidence. There’s only delay. Preparation means owning your business. Knowing where the resources are. Watching the trainings. Practicing the calls. Having the hard conversations with clients before they blow up the deal.

It’s Not About Experience, It’s About Preparation

I brought up something I’ve been saying a lot lately—lack of experience does not mean lack of preparation. We have agents passing their licensing exams in two weeks, others taking two years. What’s the difference? Not intelligence. Not talent. It’s how focused and committed they were. The effort is the same, it’s just spread out for some over years instead of weeks. And this mirrors how agents get into production. Some take six months to land their first deal. Others, just six days. The key is preparation—knowing what you’re doing, where to go, and who to call when it gets real.

Leverage Your Past, Own Your Process

We also talked about how our experiences prepare us long before we realize it. I shared how my daughter Abigail stepped up to work a booth at a real estate career expo. No hesitation. No excuses. And while she might not have had the experience, she’s been in this game since she was three years old. Watching, listening, learning. Just like many of you, you’ve already done hard things. You’ve already solved big problems. That makes you ready now. It’s just about applying that same mindset to this business.

Stop Waiting, Start Acting

This episode wasn’t just for new agents either. I had a conversation with a veteran who had hit a wall, forgetting what he was made of. After a few adjustments, he’s now sitting on seven deals in escrow. The difference was not more knowledge. It was remembering who he is. Preparation is not just a checklist. It’s an energy. A commitment to being in control of your process and not blaming the market or the news or your circumstances. You have to move with vision. Take action with intention. Stop stalling and start preparing to execute.

Reader Reflection Questions

1. Where in your business are you waiting for someone to walk you through the steps instead of preparing ahead?
2. How are your current actions aligned with the vision you say you want?
3. What past experiences can you tap into right now to give you confidence to move forward?

Notable Quotes

“Lack of experience does not mean lack of preparation.”

“It’s not your buyer’s fault they can’t decide—it’s your fault for not preparing them.”

“She wasn’t afraid of losing the listing. She was more committed to winning it.”

Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media:

• Instagram: @azaraujo
• Facebook: A.Z. Araujo
• TikTok: A.Z. Araujo
• YouTube: Do The Work Podcast

For Real Estate Agents in AZ:

Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates:

• dothework.com/azaa

Upcoming Events:

If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit:

• dothework.com
• bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!

New Do The Work Gear:

Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more:

• shop.dothework.com