07 Apr How to Follow Your Passion

Have you ever wanted to quit your day job to follow your passion but were too scared to do so? I started my real estate career 10 years ago, with no network, no experience, no mentor, 2 children under 3 years old and a husband who travelled for work. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The Real Estate program teaches law. It doesn’t teach you anything about the reality of the business. Here I was, Miss Shy, Miss Introvert and I couldn’t find a decent mentor. But I felt so passionate about the business that there was no way I wasn’t going to make it.

I was scared to leave my well-paid job and pursue commission-based real estate full time, so I did both. I juggled everything like every Wonder Woman does and like every A type who knows she can do everything. I kept the security of a marketing job as I was building my real estate career and I was still doing homework with the kiddos.

It all worked out well. That is, until I woke up one morning unable to raise my arm past my shoulder because of countless hours working on the computer, severely stressed and on the verge of a burnout.

I was working about 100 hours a week, I couldn’t sleep anymore and my mind was on overdrive.

At that moment, I knew everything had to change. I realized that I couldn’t do it all. That same day, I quit the security of a paycheck for the incredible world of real estate and pursued it full time. I knew I always wanted to do it, but I never had the guts. I followed my instinct, I followed my passion and never looked back.

What happened when I quit the security and actually followed my passion was just inconceivable. First, I switched agencies and landed at Londono Realty Group. The agency is young, fresh and unlike any other in Montreal. Then I made a plan, executed it, and the rest is history. Don’t get me wrong, there have been hurdles and major ups and downs, but in the end, I made the right decision.

If you are thinking of following your passion, I have a few tips for you that worked extremely well for me.

1. Step out of your comfort zone:

Throughout the years, I realized that in order to be successful in this commission based business, being shy or introverted just couldn’t work. I stepped out of my comfort zone and forced myself to go to as many networking events as possible. I went to most of them alone. It was the best thing I could do. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and build my network. Soon enough, I was co-chairing those events and introducing people including the likes of the CEO of Air Canada.

2. Follow your instincts:

What I have learned through the years running my own business is to follow your instincts. Those feelings you get in the pit of your stomach are there for a reason. The difficult part is listening to it. If it feels wrong, chances are you’re right. Follow that inner voice, it never lies!

3. You snooze, you lose:

If you have an opportunity, no matter how crazy it may seem, seize it. If you don’t, someone else will. If you don’t try, you will never know. Take the chance.

4. Write down your goals:

This is my favorite. Write down what you want, specifically. Make a list and look at it every single day. Make a plan to achieve your goals and work on it every day. If you don’t know what you want or where you want to go, you won’t end up anywhere or accomplish anything.

5. Change your mindset:

All the great leaders talk about mindset today. If you feel that you won’t succeed, then you won’t. Focus on the positivity, focus on the outcome, re-program your mind to achieve the success that you want and to achieve the goals that you wrote down.

-Monique Assouline

Monique Assouline is a passionate Montreal Real Estate Broker with a background in Marketing. She loves the adrenaline-inducing business of bringing Buyers and Sellers together.