It’s not always real estate gurus who provide the best advice for success in real estate. Here, Magic Johnson, basketball great, offers advice on what made him a super-successful businessperson.
It’s not the real estate market of years ago. Now, reality is separating the ‘dumb luck’ licensees from the on-purpose pros. At the same time, it’s easy to give up—because it’s challenging now.
Is this your self-talk? “I can’t do it. It’s someone else’s fault. If only….I’ll never be able to. I tried that once. It didn’t work. It won’t work for me. Give me (you fill in the blanks) or else I can’t succeed.”
You’ve heard all these reasons why someone can’t succeed. (Makes me depressed just reading this list.) So, it’s refreshing to hear someone speak about how to succeed—with no excuses. Although Magic isn’t in real estatek, this advice is directly applicable to success in real estate sales.
Magic Johnson Has Excelled on More than on the Basketball Court
You know who Magic Johnson is: College and pro–most winning basketball player of our generations. What you may not know is that he is as successful—or more successful—as a businessperson. I just watched a video where a UPS executive interviewed Magic. Here are some of Magic’s insightful comments that I’ve translated to real estate, with questions for you.
Dream it First to Live It
At age 16, Magic was a janitor while in school. He would go sit in the CEO’s chair and pretend he was the CEO; giving orders, making decisions, acting like a CEO. He said he always wanted to be an entrepreneur, not just a basketball player. Look what happened.
Magic’s question to you: What are you dreaming?
On Not Giving Up
As Magic transitioned from famous, successful pro basketball player to businessman, he thought his fame would magically open doors and make him successful. He found it opened doors (they all wanted to meet him), but, it didn’t get him the funding he needed to expand his business. He was turned down ten times before a bank took a chance on him
Magic’s question to you: How tenacious are you?
Network and Lead Generate and Learn
Magic wanted to find out what was important to prominent people. He got the list of Lakers season ticket holders and called up to 50 a day. Many met with him, and several became investors with him.
Magic’s question to you: Are you lead generating with tenacity?
Tailor to your Target
Magic was an early investor in Starbucks and has over 125 Starbucks locations today. He met with Howard Schultz, the founder and then president, and told him he needed to tailor his Starbucks businesses to his clientele. You can imagine where Magic wanted to place his Starbucks. He told Mr. Schultz he didn’t want that music that was in most Starbucks stores. He wanted Michael Jackson, Beyonce, etc. He didn’t want scones. You get the picture.
Magic’s question to you: Are you targeting your marketing you’re your audiences?
Hire and Work with the Best for Real Estate Success
Magic says, if you find great talent, you don’t need to micro-manage them. This comes from his experience as a basketball player.
Magic’s question to you: Are you affiliating with the best?
Shine Your Light on Others to Succeed
As you help others succeed, you’ll succeed. Magic says his reason for being in business is to help others. He’s helped thousands of minority businesspeople launch businesses. This comes, too, from his experience as a basketball player. His mentoring others resulted in more success for everyone.
Magic’s question to you: Are you providing a hand up to qualified, determined talent?
Learn from Everyone
Magic believes everyone has something he can learn from. He values each person and seeks their contributions. He says he loves to learn and he’s constantly learning.
Magic’s question to you: Are you learning from those you’re around?
Add Value
Magic believes the secret of business success is to add value. When he meets with someone, he thinks about how he can add value for that person.
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Magic’s question to you: Are you adding value to those you work with, coach, or teach?
Real Estate is a Business
OK. We like to think we’re different in real estate. We play by different rules—or no rules. Or, we make our own rules as we go…. Yet, we are first a business. Asking yourself the questions Magic asks, and treating yourself like a business, not an avocation, will inspire you to step to the next level-and will elevate your business and your life.
