WHY I CHOSE REAL ESTATE ~ 2, 4, 6, 8!
I have always loved looking at houses. When I was in the 7th grade, I had an entire notebook of hand drawn floor plans for homes that I would work on constantly. I was very proud of my plans and was devastated when the notebook was stolen. I still believe that some of my designs are in use today! :)
As I entered High School, athletics and cheerleading became my focus. I was involved in various student leadership opportunities and discovered that I enjoyed working with and being around people. Little did I know that these activities would lay a strong foundation for me later in life with my real estate career.
My college years were exciting as I traveled the country with our football team. As a collegiate cheerleader, I served not only as a bouncy little spirit leader on the field, the university had us an ambassadors for various events throughout the year. I was exposed to many more leadership opportunities and was introduced to the world of networking. (That is me on the far left sporting my famous Dorothy Hamil haircut!)
After college I entered into the medical field which was utilizing my Biology degree. As marriage and children came along, entering into a wonderful career as a high school Biology teacher worked perfectly for me in order to be home with my children as much as possible.
I was married to a custom home builder for over 20 years so I knew the business from that end and had always wanted to enter the real estate field. I always knew that when the time was right, I would dive in. Sadly, what led me into real estate was the ragged, raw reality of a divorce. I was faced being a single mom and on a teacher's salary which was quite daunting.
I spent one evening researching Real Estate schools and ended up signing up, took my classes online and completing them in three days. Within a month, I had successfully passed my exam and was on my way to a new career. It was mid-year so I had to wait to go into real estate full time until school was out at the end of May.
I began sharing with my colleagues and friends that I had my license and before long, I was already listing homes and showing clients houses after work and on weekends. I was on my way to my new career and it was exciting. The one thing that was NOT an option was failure. I was literally leaving a steady paycheck with benefits into a commission only career. It was a bit scary.
What I will say is this, the activities and my teaching career truly prepared me for my life in real estate. The foundations and principals that I learned early in life have provided me with the skills necessary to deal effectively with clients, manage my time and to stay driven and focused.
Athletics gave me the determination, discipline for hard work and the ability to be competitive. Cheerleading has enabled me to smile when it is difficult, speak in front of audiences and to know my routine completely. Teaching prepared me as the organizer and multi-tasking pro!
Once I entered the real estate field, I have never looked back. It was as if the career was just waiting on me when the time was right. Thankfully, I have been extremely successful and discovered that I absolutely loved it. As a single mother, I had the flexibility and the freedom to do my job while able to juggle my children's schedule.
Although I entered the real estate field through sad circumstances, the blessings that I have reaped from this business are many! I have never looked back and now have my own Brokerage Company that is thriving! I will always be thankful for the road in life that has brought me to this point. A second career in later life can be a really great thing. (The bottom picture is of our recent ribbon cutting!)
I have endured a spinal cord tumor and a lung tumor just this past summer. Giving up was never a thought. Through the illnesses and recovery, my real estate business survived as did I. Being able to work through illness and recovery have made me even stronger and more determined! (The picture of me to the right is 2 months after losing my lower left lung last summer and celebrating running a 5K race!)
The lesson for me is that it is never too late to get started on something. Once you dive into anything new, don't look back and give it your very best! Most importantly ~ FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!
"Have you fully lived today?"
Paula L. McDonald ~ REALTOR®
Broker Associate - RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring
26113 Oak Ridge Drive Suite D ~ The Woodlands, Texas 77380
936-203-0279 Direct
Selling The Woodlands real estate and surrounding areas!
Copyright 2013 Paula McDonald
