Coaching: Why CRE commissions are so important to you by Rod Santomassimo

Inevitably when I ask someone why they decided to pursue a career in commercial real estate, the vast majority of the time the answer is financial freedom. They feel they can be their own boss and make lots of money. While I am the first in line to support capitalism, ultimately there needs to be some reason other than making a lot of money.

When I first started my career in CRE, my official (not intern, gopher, runner) career that is, I was 25. I simply wanted to pay my bills, learn as much as I could about the craft and party! That was my “why.” Of course as the years flew by my “why” evolved. I wanted to start investing and saving, and I am sure along the way I simply wanted some more “stuff.” Funny, today all I want to do now is purge as much stuff from my life as I can.

Today my “why” is much different. Why? Simple. I want our clients to be in position of achieve their “whys.” Personally I want to insure my children have the luxury of options. I want to give much more than I do today; more time, money and effort. Likewise, I want my wife and I to also have the opportunity to say no when we prefer to and yes whenever we wish. Does this take money, of course it does. But I didn’t build a CRE coaching and consulting organization simply for the money. I choose this path based on what I am trying to achieve in my life.

I challenge you to ask yourself why you too decided to pursue a career in commercial real estate. Just don’t say it was simply for the money. Focus on the way, and the money will come.

Rod Santomassimo, CCIM, is founder and president of Massimo Group, LLC, New York, N.Y.