by Bob Boog
Special to Realty/Builder Connection
Incidentally, for the experienced agents reading this page, one way to stay fresh in this business is offer to give some help. That’s right. Mentor a new or part-time agent.
You might be surprised at how much energy and organization it gives you. Recently, there was a story in the newspaper about a 40-year-old high school baseball coach who got to pitch in the major leagues. This is a true story. This man had been out of professional baseball for almost 20 years because he’d blown out his shoulder when he was 24. So, he got his teaching credential and became a high school baseball coach.
He loved baseball, and year after year he taught high school kids the proper technique of how to pitch. One year, the kids challenged him to a bet. If they won the league championship, he would have to try out for the Florida Marlins professional baseball team.
Guess what happened? They won the championship and he made the Marlins’ team! He became a relief pitcher and in 1999, struck out the heart of the Angels’ lineup when he fanned Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmons and Jim Edmonds. All of these tough hitters failed to connect wood with ball with a guy who had been a high school baseball coach for 15 years!
Why do I mention this story?
The newspaper article stated that when this 40-year-old was 18, he could throw a fastball 92 mph. Yet, when he turned 40, he could throw it over 100 mph! That’s right, his velocity had actually increased.
The newspaper suggested that the increase in velocity in his fastball might have been attributed to several shoulder opperations. This may be true — however, I suggest that he might have gained velocity and become a better pitcher because he was a coach. He taught the fundamentals of pitching to his students, year after year. Wouldn’t you agree that some of the things he taught — tiny adjustments on where to stand and where to release the ball — probably paid off for him?
Sure it did.
Coaching real estate is the same thing. It may help you — even if you’re in a selling slump. So the next time a new or part-time agent asks you how to do something, don’t shrug your shoulders and say, “figure it out yourself.” Step up to the plate with a suggestion. Try to be of assistance. You never know, may actually start implementing your own good advice!