Part one

I thought I’d answer a few of the questions I’ve been pondering over the last few months. This post should address how I feel about my job, will I continue to work in or out of the house, given the choice would I change my career if I could, the answers are not as easy as I thought.

First I’ll give you an idea of what my day job is. It’s set the stage for my answers below.

I’ve been in commercial real estate for 29 years and head up my own division within a large company M J Peterson is a real estate developer owning over 4,000 apartment units.  They recently built over 1500 beds for student housing which is managed by a partner who owns thousands of student housing projects all over the world adding these beds to their portfolio.  M J Peterson is a local company who owns land, office buildings and two small plazas in our area as well.  They are a successful private owned corporation which also has several local residential real estate offices throughout the area.  As a result of having residential real estate within the company it gives us personal insight as to how the market is in our area.  This has helped while selling investments through the years.

I was able to create the commercial real estate division in 1986.  It’s been great as I’ve been treated as though the company was mine as long as I’m profitable.  Therefore we’ve been able to position the division within in our area as one of the best producing commercial real estate offices.  We have 8 to nine people who usually work in our division.  We meet and make decisions based on the market and what we think is going on locally.  We try to determine the currents needs of investors and retailers. Understanding you area demographics and everything about spending habits is part of our business.  One of our last retail placements was a Save a Lot we located in a mall.  Working with the mall owner, a sublease with Toys R Us and the retailer took over a year.  However, we were successful and the store is producing over its projected sales.

My specialty is selling residential apartment units all over the country.   They range from 100 units to over 1,000’s.  I’ve really enjoyed learning to understand an investor and sellers different requirements and recognizing what each area of the country is like.   One of our recent sales was In Indiana worth 18 million dollars.  When it closed I was thrilled, the negotiations’ were long and difficult.  You learn patience in the industry as the achievement of the closing may take years.  Therefore, planning your sales is very difficult to predict and making sure your making enough money to live is sometimes strenuous at best.  I advise new salespeople when they apply to get into the business; it’s a heartless and thankless way to earn a living.  You can work on a deal for years and never see it close. Because your income is based on the successful sale and closing of the property; you don’t get paid until title changes hands.  Then you still have to pray your commission agreement is solid so you’ll get paid.  Then if they still want to discuss this as a career we do.   

Yet somehow I always loved what I was doing. The pressure can be non stop.  However, as you know when you’re a sales agent there’s freedom regarding how you pace yourself?  Heading the division I’m in charge of creating a place where leads are flowing giving the sales agents a fair chance at success in their field.  Keeping them informed as to what’s going on in the market and helping them decide how to stay current with all the tools for their success.  The challenges can beat you up if you really care about the associates who work with you.  I care and many days I come home frustrated and exhausted.  With current market conditions I find myself wondering why I didn’t sell something which instantly happens therefore, eliminating all the stress I’ve felt for so many years. So here’s the answer to my question.  Do I like my job? Now understanding why sometimes you read an edge in my content.  Fighting for my place as women made it even harder.  When I entered this field it was filled with just men…most thought I was there for the short term and couldn’t possibly be successful.  They were helpful but it was difficult.  The road to understanding commercial real estate is not easy.

If I could have seen what it was going to be like, I question if I would have ever entered this field?  It’s too unpredictable and volatile to current financial conditions.  Commercial real estate can be one of the most exciting jobs in the world and although you love what your doing; the heartache and what you loose when sales or leases don’t close are difficult to accept.  Why would I choose this occupation unless I’m independently wealthy and it doesn’t matter?  I wasn’t and it did matter.  Through the years I’ve been stressed and frustrated. Some years very lean and in general tough to continue, however, I was stubborn and determined I’d never quit unless I’d had success.  Is that dumb or what?  So here I am still selling and managing asking myself how’d this happen? Why it is one of my issues as I think about my future.

So when I was able to follow my passion which was writing I felt empowered.  Our blog created something I couldn’t have predicted or described.  Similar to an athlete training for success in their sport you practice until you get it right.  Your heart is filled with ideas and things you want to accomplish.    You have your real job which you enjoy yet this is your true calling. Your thoughts come from your heart and you’re able to formalize everything that you think about.

Imagine being in an empty room.  You have ideas for how to fill it up.  Knowing that as clients come into the room you want to make them want to stay relax and enjoy their time with you.  Grammology wants to understand more about parents and grandparents.  We adore children and recognize they are the most important part of our life.  We want to share this with the rest of the world and now we can.  We’re in charge of our own image.  It can be anything we want.  We believe in good parenting and giving children what they need to succeed in life as they grow up.  We’re hoping this site is interactive so we share how to succeed as parents and grandparents.  My dream is sharing with the world that grandparents can have a positive affect on children and their families. Establish that grandma wants it to be known she’s there if you need her.  We want to be a part of your life watching our children move into adulthood with a strong base of mom dad and grandparents.

So how does this have anything to do with my current job?  Simple, if I could write fulltime and be assured of financial success, I’d quit my job selling real estate and focus on my dreams. 

Inside me is this crazy 62 year old lady, so dam opinionated sometimes I can’t stand myself.  However, I’m here and still dreaming.  Shocked I’ve been able to share so much and that you’ve cared.  Wondering where this will go regarding my future.    So in answer to my question concerning what I’ve done for 29 years and if I’d leave it?  Yes, and I think most people would do the same.  In our hearts is a dream in our souls is the desire to do something we think would benefit this world.  Children are so important they are the future.  What we show and teach our children will determine the hope of our world. I’m a small part, sharing wit, wisdom and experience.  Loving every moment we have together.   Working in a tough industry by day and writing by night and early morning.

Yes I wish I could do more, however, I’m happy to be small part of helping people think about the importance of what we do as grandparents with our kids today.  So even though I work full time you can have your dreams as well.  You can have a dream and move forward with your vision if you never give up.  Be a part of the bigger picture in life. Knowing when you ask yourself those important questions  how I feel about my job, will I continue to work in or out of the house, given the choice would I change my career if I could..,  the answers are not clear cut…however here’s my thoughts..

Yes…I like my job.

. 

At this time, I’ll work in and out of my home.  Hoping to someday be full time doing what my heart loves; writing about what I see and feel.  Hoping grammology will make a difference for grandmothers their children and families. 

Given the choice today would I change my life if I could?  No because everything I’ve ever done or experienced has taught me something.  I’ve tried to make better with most of what’s happened to me.   God has a plan, I’m not in his arms I’m in his wheel barrel and he pushes me up hills and mountains.  I always get there as my daughter says; reminding me it’s God’s time not my time...  Get with it mom and understand your day will come, be patient.   And I’m learning that as well how to be tolerant.

So now that you know a little more about me. I’m hoping you’re not bored.  I promise most of my posts will not be this wordy.  Remember I answered three of my own questions.  Here’s hoping you enjoyed knowing what goes on in my old head?  And the next question I’ll answer isssssssssssssss

Am I happy with my marriage….? 

Hope you want to know……?  Dorothy