Thread by @Cribdilla

We on RETwit like to brag about our successes but the realty is, sometimes, no matter how hard you work, things don't work out.

How you handle failure says more about you as a professional than any of your "successes."

What to do when shit doesn't work out - a thread.

My best client pulled a property off the market today and will likely re-list it with another broker in the future.

It was a long marketing effort, with a ton of people through the building, multiple offers, but nothing that was 100% acceptable to both sides.

Shit happens.

I'm pissed things didn't work out and I'm upset at my client for thinking I didn't do everything I could to get it sold in this challenging market. But this is business and I understand the decision.

I had two choices:
1. Get defensive and upset
2. Turn it into a positive.

What most people do in this situation is take it personally and get defensive and upset. (I have been guilty of this too.)

Arguing, showing anger and exasperation. Shutting down.

The second choice is harder. Sometimes much much harder.

After speaking to my client, I spent 2.5 hours writing a post-mortem email with what we learned during marketing (the property has challenges) and the hard choices they should make to reposition for the next sale phase.

Why do this if I'm out?

Because the post-mortem gives me an opportunity to help them succeed down the road.

My client will remember that my reaction was to try to help rather than making the failure about how it affects me personally.

The world is round and RE is a small business.