Sunday Reflection: My Hand-Me-Down Career
I was 21 years old when I jumped into this business. To say I was "green" would be an understatement. I had the drive and the discipline, but I didn't have the "know-how."
I didn't have the "broker-sense" that tells you how to win a listing or when a deal is about to go sideways. I certainly didn't have the thick skin required to handle a door slammed in my face while door knocking for listings. That came later.
It was tough on me. There were days I sat in my old used car wondering if I was cut out for a career where "No" was the most common word I heard.
But I didn't fail. Not because I was a prodigy, but because a few seasoned veterans decided I was worth their time. They took a liking to me and wanted to help. They wanted me to stay in the business. So, I always did what they said, until I found my own way.
They didn't give me leads. They gave me their patience and they shared their wisdom. They shared their appointments: "Hey Jeff! I've got a listing appointment at 7 PM; would you like to come along?" They let me listen in on their phone calls, and they listened to mine. They corrected my mistakes before they became catastrophes.
They each helped me not because there was some direct benefit for them, but because they cared about the integrity of the profession and wanted to pass it down.
For years after, I could still hear them cheering me on when I walked into the office with my first listing. They even gave me a standing ovation for my first sale. That was the kind of legendary office moment every veteran remembers—and every new agent dreams of.
These generous people are my Sunday Reflection for today. They're all gone now, but I can still hear them. And I know they would love to know how long I stuck with it. Every time I got a contract signed or walked a client through a tough negotiation, I’m using a skill that they handed down to help a 21-year-old kid who was just trying to find his feet.
But those veterans didn't just teach me how to have empathy, write a contract, or read a deal; they handed me a philosophy of kindness, professionalism, and ethical advocacy that kept me in the business for 47 years. And now, sitting here writing this and looking back, I'm not just remembering them. I'm keeping them alive by handing down that same courtesy to the next generation. I’m doing it now by telling my story and theirs.
Some might build careers alone, but they’re far more rewarding when someone offers a little kindness along the way. My hope is that the veterans out there today will find someone starting in the business this week and offer them a little of that same wisdom and guidance - -just to help a kid find their feet. Maybe they will write about you someday.
"The circle of a person's life is not complete until they pass their wisdom on to the next generation." Natiave American Proverb
Until next time,
About the Author: I am a retired real estate professional with a career spanning 47 years. Throughout decades of market changes, I remained dedicated to the idea that real estate is about more than square footage—it’s about the human experience. Today, I write about the lessons learned from a lifetime of helping people find the place that truly feels like home, hoping that sharing these insights will help the next generation of agents better serve their clients and find fulfillment in their own careers.
(C) 2026 Jeff Sorg
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