Real Estate: Climbing an Escalator Backwards—A Journey of Persistence and Progress

The real estate business can often feel like you're climbing an escalator in reverse. Every day, you take a step forward, but the forces around you seem to push you back. From shifting government policies to fluctuating interest rates, market conditions, and client expectations, there are constant challenges trying to knock you off course. But just like that escalator, if you stop, you'll lose your momentum. So, what do you do? You keep climbing, no matter how tough it gets.

I remember when I first started in real estate. The excitement was there, but so was the overwhelming reality. It wasn’t as easy as I had imagined. Just like climbing that escalator backwards, I felt like the world was pushing me in the opposite direction, trying to make me give up. But I knew I had to press forward because the goal was clear: to put food on the table, to pay my bills, to save for retirement, and most importantly, to spend more time with my family.

It started with a vision—clear, focused, and backed by a lot of prayer. That vision wasn’t just in my head; it was in my office, hanging prominently on my vision board. And at the top of the board were these words: “What will I do today to reach my goals?” That question became my daily motivator.

Some days, the escalator of life feels like it's moving too fast. Interest rates rise unexpectedly, government policies shift, and the housing market seems to go through dramatic ups and downs. It's easy to get discouraged. But every small step, every effort—even when it feels like a struggle—is progress. And sometimes, life provides you with moments of grace. There are times when the escalator seems to slow down, giving you a chance to move forward at a faster pace, making up for lost ground. But just as often, the escalator speeds up, and it takes even more effort to keep moving forward.

The key is to never stop moving. Even if you're taking smaller steps, as long as you keep moving forward, you're making progress. Every phone call, every showing, every negotiation—even the smallest win—is a step toward your goal. It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go as planned, but in real estate, just like in life, persistence is the ultimate key to success. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep a positive attitude.

When I look back on my journey in real estate, I realize that it wasn’t the big wins that got me to where I am today, but the cumulative effort of each day, each decision, and each challenge I faced. That’s the nature of climbing the escalator backwards. You may not always see the progress in the moment, but with time, the results start to show.

So, if you’re in the business, or even just starting out, remember this: It’s okay if you’re moving slowly. It’s okay if the world feels like it’s pushing you back. As long as you don’t stop, you’re still heading toward your goal. And when you get there, you’ll know that every step was worth it.

Because in real estate, just like life, it’s not about how fast you get to the top. It’s about how determined you are to keep climbing.