Those Who Can, Do

I was complaining this morning about all of the experts, gurus, consultants, specialists, etc in my feed reader this morning with a promise to start unsubscribing. Sure, I offer my services for hire, but YOU have to be the compelling one for me to accept you as a client. Why? I work a full time job. I have a VERY active social life. I am constantly working on no less than 5 side projects. So I really don’t have time to individually instruct every person that comes along.

Those Who Can, Do. Those Who Can’t, Teach. Those Who Can’t Teach, Teach PE.

My dad had a PhD. He spent time as a college instructor. He told me this mantra a long time ago when I was frustrated at the quality of education I was receiving. It has held true (and makes sense) for most situations in my life.

I’ve Been Trained To Teach

In college, I became a PADI Master Instructor. My job was to train people how to dive. As part of that, I had to teach topics such as physics, physiology and complex technical (equipment-related) topics. Furthermore, I TRAINED people to TRAIN. I was a teachers teacher. Which, logic would dictate, means I can teach people so well, I should teach other people to teach.

My Day Job

I am great at marketing. I am incredibly at understanding how to integrate traditional advertising and marketing concepts with new media that has emerged. I grew up in a “get-a-corporate-job” world, however, so I figured out how to make my insane abilities to teach/train with my skills for marketing with a corporate job. My day job is to teach REALTORs how to market themselves and their listings. When I’m not teaching, I apply the same techniques for my employer.

Because I teach REALTORs how to market themselves and their listings, does that mean I could go be a REALTOR?

I might be able to, but it’s not what I’m best at, which is teaching. Just like a school teacher, teachers are good at teaching specific topics. I am good at teaching marketing. Some may ask, “Well why not go off and become a consultant and do it on your own?” Some day in the distant future I may. I like what I’m doing now, the people I work with and the consistent interaction (and paycheck). What’s wrong with doing what you’re best at for someone else?

Why Give Up?

Working for a title company, I see a ton of REALTORs, including a lot who still did over $5 million last year. That’s plenty to live comfortably around here. I’ve now had the discussion with a few local area REALTORs about how the market is tough and their fight with getting a “real job”. The common theme I keep hearing is that if they go get a side job, it tells their customers that A) they aren’t THE BEST at real estate and B) it’s not THEIR JOB. As a consumer, I can tell you that if my REALTOR decided to work part time at Target, my perception of the quality of their service and abilities would greatly decrease and I may move on.