How do we end up staying so long??
A note to my mortgage buds . . .
I almost feel guilty for talking about my work like this. After all, I was the one who accepted the jobs, the training, who networked and made good friends in the industry. I always loved my teams, my bosses, my clients and industry friends. Toward the end of my career, there was a rhythm (albeit long hours!), but we were “in it” together, we commiserated, celebrated wins and cared for each other. I truly had the best boss, the best team, great products and good friends.
If you had asked, I would have told you I would end up in staffing. I fell in love with the work and could do it almost intuitively. (Mortgages were not that!) I actually had the opportunity to manage a local staffing company but felt (clearly) the Lord’s leading to take a job at the real estate association, which led directly to mortgages.
Early on, I chalked it up to the steep learning curve. There was just a lot to learn. I have a true love of people and think that gave me entrance into a couple good spots, but this industry was different than anything I had known. Offices opened and closed, banks merged and people moved with it, requiring learning different products, systems and people. I just tried to keep up. After moving to SWFL, five (5!) different people suggested I go back to mortgages and all suggested the same high-integrity team. In the middle of this season, I mentioned to my psychologist friend that I wondered if I might be a little A.D.D. (?) (there were signs!) But I was learning and growing, so tried harder. I continued as a loan officer and joined a great credit union where the culture was amazing, our team and my boss . . . I truly loved my years there!
What did I learn, why did I end up in mortgages and not staffing, and why did I stay?
I’ve thought long and hard about this one.
Commission-based pay revealed my own financial insecurity and fear. Eventually, the Lord confirmed that He is my provision — not my deals.
The Lord taught me my worth as a person. At times, I had some pretty unhealthy interactions, sometimes originating with me and other times a client or boss. Truly, understanding one’s own abilities, limitations and personality can limit these exchanges, as it is clear what situations we will thrive in and which will not be a good fit.
Ultimately, I think it came down to the people. It’s always the people! The friends in the industry, so fun and funny, our great clients, our amazing team. I will always be grateful for those relationships and for knowing I can do hard things. (I could hug them even now!)