Expectations vs. Possibilities

I had a conversation last week with a realtor who always seems “cool as a cucumber.”  I find that to be a bit unusual in such a demanding, emotional business.  We spoke about her style, and I asked if she believed that there was anything other than her disposition that contributed to her calmness.  She mentioned a number of things.

Parameters – She is selective with whom she works.  If she doesn’t believe that she can help a potential client meet their goals, then she doesn’t work with them.

Focus – She believes that she does a fairly good job of maintaining her focus.  She is skilled at finishing one task before moving on to another.

Selectivity – She also remains selective in other ways as far as whom she is willing to take on as a client.   History has taught her that if someone is not highly motivated to buy or sell, the experience is often less than stellar for everyone involved.

Expectations

There was one other thing that the realtor commented on which I found very interesting.  She explained that, despite the parameters that she sets and her selectivity, managing expectations is also very important.  She observes many realtors who become overwhelmed with disappointment when a piece of business, particularly one that they have spent many hours working on, fails to come into fruition.  “I seldom have that disappointment,” she exclaimed.   “I understand that needs change quickly and emotions run high when it comes to real estate.  To surmise that “this” is going to happen or “that” is going to happen is a sure way to engender frustration.”

The Possibilities

My initial reaction was that her mindset regarding expectations is a wise one.  I later thought  that it’s important to keep in mind, however, that there is a huge difference between expectations and possibilities.  It sure seems prudent to manage expectations, yet one should always consider the world of possibilities that each opportunity can present.  That hope, those possibilities, is the elixir of life.  Without them, spirit and vitality become exhausted.

How do you go about managing your expectations?

What do you do to distinguish between expecations and limitless possibilities?

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