Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patrick Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Patrick , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I realized I was gay at a very young age. Being born and growing up in the 60s, things were different back then when it came to expressing your true self. With how society was back then, I knew things would be challenging, but I know I’m a good person, and the little fact about myself being gay should not prevent me from being who I was and being part of society. I was fortunate to be raised in a disciplined family that helped me shape a mentality that to succeed in life, I need to be confident, secure, and comfortable about myself. I was raised to respect and accept other people for who they are, and I expect the same from others by embracing my true self. When someone asked a question about my personal life, I would answer it with honesty, no matter how the person would react to the answer. Honesty was a big part of helping me navigate social life in my early years. The approach seemed to work fine. I had a lot of friends; I felt accepted and respected, and that helped me a lot to flourish growing up. Another strategy to cope with insecurities is to face them and change them to the desired outcome. Speaking in public was a horror for me when I was younger. I knew that was a quality you need to possess to succeed, so I exited my comfort zone and faced it. I took every opportunity to speak to an audience to train and eliminate my fear. The determination paid off, and within a short time, I became confident and comfortable appearing in front of many people. So for me, acceptance, honesty, and perseverance are three things that helped me be confident and have high self-esteem.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been in Real Estate for more than 20 years. Flashback to the first time I jumped into the business, I remember maneuvering into Real Estate took a lot of work. Everyone wants to tell you the right way to be successful. However, as a newcomer, I tried to absorb as much new knowledge as possible. So I listened to everyone but then went with my gut and digested the most applicable tips. While I employ strategies to advertise my business and expertise, for example, presence on social media platforms, the canvassing approach wasn’t my cup of tea. It feels impersonal and forced. I like the process to be more organic and leave it to the potential clients for their impressions about what I do. As a social butterfly, I love going out and meeting people. My husband and I went out to dinner and drinks several times a week and always sat at the bar to chat with people. I volunteered for events, got involved in charities and non-profits, and did everything I could to get my face out there socially, and they worked. With my expertise, I’ve been mentoring for almost 15 years and tell everyone the same thing: Figure out what you are good at and enjoy, and DO IT! If you try to grow your business by doing something you don’t want, just because someone more experienced than you have convinced you it’s the right thing, it won’t work. For me, the organic social approach really fits my personality and is incredibly rewarding. People can sense joy, enthusiasm, and authenticity through this approach. Over the years, it’s exhilarating to see so many agents I have mentored become successful, focusing on growing their businesses and doing things they enjoy. I’m sure they think the same of me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three essential qualities to succeed as a Real Estate agent are listening to understand, feeling confident to say I don’t know, and looking at challenges as an opportunity to learn.
Firstly, you must listen carefully to your clients to understand their wants and needs. This will help you establish a strong partnership with them. However, listening alone is not enough. You must also ask digging, follow-up questions to fully comprehend their aspirations. By doing so, you can provide alternative options or solutions if necessary.
Secondly, it’s important to be comfortable saying “I don’t know” when asked a question about the property or process that you don’t know what the answer is. This shows that you are honest and willing to learn. You can still maintain a professional image by promising to find the information and get back to them. Over time, you will gain more confidence in handling clients and inquiries or whatever difficult situation may arise.
Lastly, view challenges as opportunities to learn. If a client’s request seems daunting, put yourself in their shoes and help them navigate uncertainty. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from more experienced Realtors. Expand your knowledge by reading books, watching informative videos, or networking with fellow agents. This will help you build a strong network and become an expert.
Remember, being open and proactive will help you succeed in the Real Estate industry. You will establish meaningful partnerships with clients and build a successful career by mastering these qualities.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
To succeed in the Real Estate industry, it’s helpful to be an expert in one field. However, given the vast and ever-changing nature of this industry, it’s increasingly important to diversify your knowledge and understanding of other areas. For example, I focus on high-end and luxury residential Real Estate, but I also explore other areas like bank-owned, commercial, land, condominiums, and rural properties. This not only helps me understand the processes, but also allows me to handle transactions in those areas. By doing so, I can quickly shift my focus if an area becomes more promising. Moreover, expanding your areas of expertise can help you build a solid network within the industry, which is essential for becoming a successful Realtor.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonesluxurygroup.com
- Instagram: jones_luxury_group
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickcjonesaz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesluxurygroup/
