The F-Word We Don’t Talk About Enough

Let’s talk about failure—the F-word no one likes to embrace.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t grow up thinking failure was part of the process. It wasn’t some badge of honor. No, failure was something you avoided at all costs. And while I’ve learned over the years that failure is inevitable (and even helpful), I’m still not great at it.

Working in real estate for nearly a decade has really driven this lesson home.

Real Estate = A Masterclass in Failure

In real estate, I’m constantly “interviewing” for the job of being someone’s agent. I probably interview 30 to 50 times a year. It’s a numbers game: sometimes you get the client, and sometimes you don’t. Early in my career, every “no” felt like a punch to the gut. I’d spend days replaying conversations, questioning my skills, and asking myself, “What could I have done differently?”

Over time, I realized something that changed my perspective: I’m not for everyone.

Buying or selling a home is an emotional, high-stakes decision, and my personality, schedule, or approach doesn’t always align with someone else’s. And that’s okay (well, mostly—it still stings sometimes). What matters is that I’m the right fit for the people I do work with.

Failure Isn’t Just About Real Estate

This lesson goes far beyond work. I’m married to a brilliant entrepreneur who’s faced his fair share of failures. Watching him navigate those moments has shown me that failure isn’t the end; it’s just part of the process. Those experiences taught him what he’s passionate about, expanded his skill set, and ultimately made him more successful.

Even the most successful people—whether they’re CEOs, athletes, or artists—deal with failure. It’s unavoidable.

Learning to Redefine Success

As a mom of two young kids and a wife to someone who works 100 hours a week (ok, like 75 hours a week), I’ve learned to set boundaries. I’ve started being more selective about the clients I take on, focusing on serious buyers and sellers who respect my time. This shift hasn’t been easy—it feels like its own kind of failure to say no when you’re competitive and want to crush it in your career.

But I know it’s necessary. My clients deserve white-glove service, and my family deserves my energy, too. Balancing both is a work in progress, but I’m getting better at it.

The Takeaway: Failure is Inevitable, So Learn to Bounce Back

I’m no expert on failure, but here’s what I’ve learned:

• Everyone fails.
• It’s not about avoiding failure—it’s about how you respond to it.
• The lessons failure teaches us are often the key to future success.

So, the next time failure knocks you down, take a breath, learn what you can, and get back up. And yes, I’ll try to take my own advice. 😉

What about you? How has failure shaped your journey? I’d love to hear your stories—let’s normalize talking about the F-word.