As I began to think about our experience in the real estate business, the birth analogy came to my mind. There are so many similarities. For any of the readers who have experienced the joy and pains of giving birth, you know exactly what I mean! Whether you are the one giving birth, or the one coaching, you know that the hardest part of labor is getting to 10 centimeters so that you can begin to "push". It is hard work.

The Shearer Group, Inc. is 8.5 centimeters and dilated!

Before the men click away and decide this is not the "blog" for you, read on and see if you agree!

First: The "test"

*You find out that you are licensed! Oh, the excitement of passing the test! We are going to have a real estate business ("baby")! You begin to put the office ("nursery") together, identifying systems and procedures, and learning to work with your sphere of influence.

Second: You begin to "show"

*The next few months are filled with the joy of being a new agent ' your business starts "showing". Your face shines with expectation ("glowing") as you begin to talk with people about real estate. Sometimes, you don't feel your best ("morning sickness") as you begin to realize what you do NOT know! You press on, knowing that good things will happen.

Third: The "Pain" starts

At first, it doesn't seem too bad. You think, I can do this. Then, as a woman learns, that one pain hits that takes your breathe away, different from the other pains, the one that you really can't describe. You are not sure you can do this. It keeps coming. "?It is just too hard. Your coach keeps encouraging you to persevere, to press forward. As you know, you cannot "push" too soon ' you cannot press beyond what nature allows. You have to endure the pain until the doctor says it is alright to "push".

It is the same in building a business ' you have to build a foundation and then brick by brick, or it will fall apart. Some days are just too painful. You feel like giving up. People tell me that the professional photo that I had taken for my marketing materials doesn't look like me anymore. I look older and tired (like what happens to our President after a few months in office!). The stress is showing. Operating in the red takes a toll.

Fourth: Birth

But, right around the corner is Success! It takes 3-5 years to become strong. We have to endure the process ' the pain and the joy of having a new real estate business.

As I said, The Shearer Group, Inc. is 8.5 cm and dilated. We will get to 10 cm and begin "pushing" towards success. Our new business is going to be beautiful! Just wait and see!

Sounds corny, unless you have had a baby and have a new real estate business.

Let me know what you think!