If you ask people what they want in life, a large majority would tell you they want to be happy.

I believe that part of being happy is knowing who you are. Not from the outside. But from the inside out.

Diving deep down within oneself to discover what it is your about.

It is then that you have clarity and can begin to build a life that supports and surrounds you. The shifting sand that you once stood on begins to become a rock you can stand on.

Why? Because you have defined what you are and where you want to go.

I was reading a story today about one of the greatest comedians of all time Dave Chappelle.

He was performing at a show with some other comedians. One which happens to have a birthday. Their sets ended about midnight and they went out to eat.

They finished their meal at about 1:30 and one of the comedians suggested they go to a party.

Dave’s response, “Nah, let’s go back to the comedy club and do another set. The comedian who suggested it said.“ Dave! It’s 1:30 in the morning. We each just did two sets tonight. There’s, at best, five people left at the comedy club. Let’s just go out!”

Dave Chappelle said, “Man, you can’t get better while your partying.”

So they went back to the club and Dave performed another 30 minutes of stand up in front of 5 people.

In the comedian’s minds, happiness was going to a party. (Which has killed off many of them)

But Dave’s response says it all. Implying that performing my craft and being around my people is what makes me happy and that’s what I’m all about.

That party has never gotten me there.

Last Christmas my brokerage was throwing it’s annual Christmas party. Having owned my own business for the last 11 years before getting back into real estate. I hadn’t attended any type of company event.

Nor had my wife for that matter. She wanted to get out because we don’t get the chance very often.

I chuckled inside and said it will be an event. She looked at me kind of funny. She didn’t know what I knew. Having started my carrier in the car business I knew all about the BLING BLING mentality of salespeople.

Showing up at events all dressed up like you are a rock star and have everything going perfect in your life. Trying to impress people with a certain type of image. Fancy dresses, skin to win, suits, branded shirts and much more. The Wolf Of Wall Street comes to mind.

You see I know the facts about real estate and what people really make. It’s not TV. 95% of all realtors fail in the first 3 years of business. It’s brutal and a damn hard business.

But people will show up and act like they have a TV lifestyle. For a moment they find a sparkle of happiness.

Let me tell you that they did not disappoint. My wife was in shock of some of the things we saw. Oh how our life has changed from years ago. But that’s another story.

My point is that you have to know who you are in this business. You have to be authentic. You have to be you. If you adopt a party lifestyle, you’ll never make it in the long run.

Just like Chappelle. If you aren’t willing to embrace your partners then, you’ll never become a person that loves what he is doing. You won’t have happiness.

Only then can you begin to serve people the proper way.

The Value-Driven Way.

Have a great week my friends. Unshackle Your Chains!

If you like what you read then please write back.  Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Chad

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