Episode 425 - The REALTOR’s Game: How Golf Mirrors the Art of Focus at Work

Patience and Persistence: The Golfing Approach to Real Estate Success

This podcast episode elucidates the profound parallels between the disciplines of golf and real estate, emphasizing that success in both arenas is underpinned by the principles of focus, adaptability, and persistence. I delve into the notion that the ability to concentrate amidst distractions—whether on the golf course or during client interactions—significantly influences outcomes. Furthermore, I explore the importance of preparation and the establishment of a consistent routine, drawing a compelling comparison between a golfer's pre-shot routine and a realtor's daily practices. The episode also highlights the necessity of maintaining mental fortitude in the face of challenges, advocating for techniques such as visualization and mindful breathing to cultivate resilience. Ultimately, I encourage listeners to recognize that regardless of the field, the mastery of focus remains the cornerstone of achieving enduring success.

The podcast articulates the intricate parallels between the realms of golf and real estate, elucidating how the principles governing success in both domains are fundamentally intertwined. The host, Bill Risser, draws upon his extensive experience in the real estate sector to underscore the necessity of discipline, focus, and preparation. In his monologue, he likens the meticulous pre-shot routine of a golfer to the preparatory rituals that realtors engage in prior to client interactions. Emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude, Risser posits that both golfers and real estate professionals must cultivate resilience and patience in the face of setbacks. He poignantly illustrates that the ability to maintain concentration amidst distractions is paramount for achieving success, whether one is addressing a client’s needs or executing a golf swing.

Risser deftly navigates through various anecdotes and insights, drawing attention to the psychological challenges that both golfers and realtors encounter. He notes that a single adverse experience, such as a lost client or a misplayed golf shot, can significantly impact one's confidence and subsequent performance. Consequently, he advocates for the establishment of mental routines—be it through meditation, journaling, or strategic visualization—that can aid in maintaining composure and focus. This exploration culminates in a profound revelation: the triumph of both golfers and real estate agents hinges not on the absence of error, but rather on the capacity to recover, adapt, and persist despite the inevitable challenges that arise in their respective fields.

Takeaways:

• The similarities between golf and real estate underscore the importance of focus and discipline.
• Preparation and routine are critical for Realtors, much like the pre-shot routine in golf.
• Both Realtors and golfers must develop the ability to block distractions to succeed.
• In both fields, resilience and patience are key to navigating setbacks and challenges.

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
You're listening to the RealEstate Sessions and I'm your host,
Bill risser. With nearly 25years in the real estate business,
I love to interview industryleaders, up and comers and really
anyone with a story to tell.It's the stories that led my guest
to a career in the real estateworld that drives me in my 10th year
and over 400 episodes of thepodcast. And now I hope you enjoy

(00:23):
the next journey. Well, it'sbeen about a six week sabbatical
for the Real Estate sessions.I think it's time add a new episode.
I'm going to do this onemonologue style. I'll definitely
get back to the interviewsreal soon. So I really like to play
golf and I've had a couple ofbad weeks on the golf course. At
my regular Sunday game, I meanwe have anywhere from 50 to 70 players

(00:47):
show up and it's a bunch ofguys that are there for the game
as well as the camaraderie.And as I headed home after another
bad round, I began to imaginelike, how would a Realtor respond
to a bad day or bad week? Howdo they regroup or get back on track?
And I've used golf many timesas an analogy for different parts
of my life and reallyeveryone's life. So why not dig in

(01:10):
to the real estate world? Sohere we go. In real estate, much
like in golf, I mean, successoften comes down to focus on the
surface. The two might seemworlds apart, one played on manicured
fairways and greens, the othernegotiating across living rooms,
closing tables and endlessemail threads. But look closer and
you'll see uncannysimilarities. For Realtors, the parallels

(01:32):
between teeing off at dawn andwalking into a client meeting are
powerful reminders thatstaying focused isn't just a skill,
it's a discipline thatdetermines outcomes. Every golfer
knows the importance of thepre shot routine. It's that consistent
sequence. Align the body,check the grip, visualize the target
that sets the stage for aclean strike. Skip it, rush it, or

(01:54):
get distracted. And chancesare, the ball sails off course. For
Realtors, the workday has itsown version of the pre shot routine.
Good buddy of mine SeanCarpenter talks about this a lot.
It might be the morning coffeeor reviewing the day's appointments,
or checking the MLS orblocking time for prospecting. Just
as in golf, consistencymatters. Those who take control of
their mornings tend to takecontrol of their days. A Realtor

(02:15):
who haphazardly jumps intocalls without preparation is no different
from the golfer who shows upon the first tee without warming
up the results rarely impressthe lesson. Preparation creates focus.
In both golf and real estate,the foundation for success is laid
before the first swing or thefirst showing. Now on the golf course,
distractions abound. A suddengust of wind, a playing partner shifting

(02:38):
in your peripheral vision, orthe distant crack of a driver from
another fairway can throw offyour concentration. To score well,
you learn to block out thenoise and focus solely on the shot
at hand. Real estate is nodifferent. Realtors are bombarded
by distractions, constantnotifications, last minute client
texts, social media chatter,and the inevitable drama of deals

(03:00):
that don't go as planned. Thetop performers develop the ability
to narrow their focus. Whenthey when they're with a client,
they're fully present. Whenthey're prospecting, they're not
toggling over to Facebook. Nowgolf teaches us that divided attention
leads to mishits. Real estateproves that divided attention leads
to missed opportunities. Inboth games, the discipline to filter

(03:21):
out noise separates amateursfrom pros. Ask any golfer and they'll
tell you perfection is a myth.Every professional miss hit shots
land in buckers and three puttgreens. What sets them apart isn't
flawlessness. It's patience.They know every round is a marathon,
not a sprint. And thatreliance and that resilience matters

(03:42):
more than a single bad hole.Realtors face the same reality. Not
every listing appointmentresults in a signed agreement. Not
every buyer finds their dreamhome on the first tour. And not every
deal makes it to closing. Theability to stay patient, to reset
after setbacks, and to playthe long game is what leads to lasting
success. Golf teaches us thatyou can't control every bounce or

(04:04):
roll. Real estate teaches thatyou can't control every appraisal,
inspection, or interest ratehike. What you can control is your
mindset, your persistence andability to keep showing up. Focused
on the next opportunity beforea great shot, golfers visualize success.
They see the ball'strajectory, its landing, its roll
toward the pin. That claritygives their body the instructions

(04:26):
it needs to execute. Withoutit, swings become mechanical, scattered,
and uncertain. For realtors,visualization works the same way.
Before a listing presentation,the most effective agents picture
how the conversation willflow. They envision addressing objections,
walking clients through comps,and ultimately earning trust. Before
an open house, they see theideal outcome it's neighbors stopping

(04:46):
by or buyers lingering oroffers following. Golf and real estate
both remind us that clarityfuels execution. When you know where
you want the ball or thebusiness to go, your chances of getting
there multiply in. Golf drivesget the glory, but short games Win
the scorecard A booming drivemeans little if you can't chip a

(05:07):
close or sink the putt. Thesubtle, less glamorous strokes around
the green are where the roundis truly made. Real estate has its
own short follow up. Big wins,like landing a listing or hosting
a busy Open house, matter butwithout consistent, thoughtful follow
up deals slip away. Thehandwritten thank you card, the timely
call, the quick response to alate night text or a tool like Living

(05:29):
Ear, these are the equivalentof crisp chips and clutch putts.
The realtor who masters thefollow up, just like the golfer who
hones their short game, findssuccess not in one grand gesture
but in the accumulation ofsmall, focused actions. Every golf
course is different. Some areopen and forgiving. Others are tight
and punishing. Weather shifts,greens run fast or slow, and hazards

(05:52):
lurk everywhere. To play well,golfers must reconditions, adjust
their strategies and sometimestake the safe shot rather than the
risky one. In real estate, themarket is the course. Interest rates,
inventory, buyer demand andeconomic trends constantly shift.
Realtors can't force themarket to play their way. Instead,
they must assess conditionshonestly and guide clients accordingly.

(06:14):
Sometimes it's about makingbold moves. Other times it's about
laying up and waiting forbetter opportunities. Both golf and
real estate rewardadaptability. Success lies not in
wishing the conditions weredifferent, but in mastering them
as they are. Perhaps the mostprofound parallel between golf and
real estate is the mentalgame. Golf is notorious for its psychological

(06:35):
battles. A player rattled byone bad hole often unravels on the
next. Confidence is fragileand pressure is relentless. Realtors
live the same battle. One lostclient, one deal gone sideways, one
tough negotiation. Thesemoments can throw an agent off their
game. But just like golfers,Realtors must guard their mental
state. Confidence, calm andfocus are their greatest assets.

(06:58):
Golfers use breathingtechniques, self talk and routines
to steady themselves.Realtors, too, must cultivate rituals,
whether it's journaling,meditating or simply taking a moment
to breathe before walking intoa tense meeting. Both games remind
us that the brain, not thebody, determines performance. So
in the end, golf and realestate share a simple truth. Success

(07:19):
belongs to those who focus,adapt and persistent. Each round
of golf and each day in realestate is unpredictable. Some days
the putts fall and clients sayyes. Other days, nothing seems to
go right. But both gamesreward the realtor and the golfer
who shows up with discipline,blocks out distractions, stays patient
under pressure and plays thelong game. The parallels aren't just

(07:40):
metaphorical they'reinstructive. Golf teaches Realtors
to stay present, thinkstrategically, and recover gracefully.
Real estate, in turn, remindsgolfers that focus is never about
perfection. It's aboutconsistency and resilience. So the
next time you step onto the Tor into a client's living room, remember
you're playing the same game,different fields, same focus. And

(08:02):
the realtor who masters thatfocus will always find themselves
closer to the pin and closerto success. I hope this episode helps
you, whether you're a realtor,golfer, or both. I know putting this
together will help my mindset.As I head to the course next Sunday,
let me know which part of thisepisode you will embrace as a realtor
or a golfer or both. And untilnext time, cheers.