Last Friday night, I found myself settled in for a quiet evening at home (yes follow me for exceptional social life tips) and stumbled upon one of my all-time favourite movies Jerry Maguire.
It’s one of those films filled with iconic lines that have become part of pop culture.
I mean, who doesn’t want someone to knock on their door and say, “You complete me”?
Or how about “You had me at hello”? But let’s be honest, the one we tend to focus on the most is “Show me the money!”
As much as that line grabs our attention, especially in a profession like real estate, Jerry Maguire is about so much more than just chasing the next big payday.
Watching it again, I was reminded of the journey of Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., and how he had to shift from focusing purely on money to truly realising his potential.
At the start, Rod is all about the dollars, right?
He’s loud, demanding, and determined to get what he believes he deserves.
But as we see throughout the movie, his obsession with getting paid is exactly what’s holding him back from true success.
The same can be true for us in real estate; if we focus solely on the commission or the next big deal, we might miss out on building genuine, long-lasting relationships with our clients.
Rod’s breakthrough comes when he starts to let go of the need to shout, “show me the money” and instead focuses on playing with heart.
Once he shifts his mindset and begins to truly connect with what matters – his family, his passion for the game, and his integrity – everything falls into place.
And that’s the real magic. His success becomes bigger than the paycheque.
It’s about being his best self, and as a result, the money follows naturally.
In real estate, it’s easy to fall into the Rod Tidwell trap thinking success is measured by the numbers alone.
But like Rod, when we shift our focus from transactions to relationships, from the sale to the service, that’s when we unlock our true potential.
The best deals, the ones that bring the most fulfilment, come when we stop obsessing over the commission and start caring about the people we serve.
So, what did Jerry Maguire remind me of that Friday night? That first class isn’t just a better meal; it’s a better life?
In our world, being better means showing up for our clients with integrity, passion, and heart.
Because when we stop focusing on the money, that’s when we truly win – both for our clients and ourselves. That’s a better life.
Because after ‘You had me at hello,’ we all want that “you complete me” moment with our clients, right?
Unlocking Success: Life, Real Estate, and the Rubik’s Cube Mindset
Imagine holding a Rubik’s cube in your hands. It’s a bit like life and real estate, isn’t it?
Let me explain. The world is full of people who have tried to solve it (about 350 million cubes sold worldwide!), but only a small percentage of people can actually crack the code.
They say it takes about 20 moves to solve any Rubik’s cube from any position.
Not a lot, right? But most people give up somewhere between steps 2 and 10.
It’s that middle part, where you’ve got some pieces in place, but the rest feels impossible.
Sound familiar? The start is exciting, whether it’s getting the right property for a client or making a big life change.
You get a few colours in place, start to see progress, but then… everything grinds to a halt.
The temptation to give up looms large. That’s where persistence, grit, and just a few more steps make all the difference.
In real estate, it’s not always about how fast you move (though ‘speed cubers’ might disagree!) but how you work through those tricky middle phases.
Getting a sale or lease over the line, sorting out tenant issues, or building client relationships often takes that extra push—the step that most people give up on.
What if we took a step back and saw the Rubik’s cube not as a puzzle to frustrate us, but as a chance to rethink strategy?
Sometimes, it’s not about giving up when the going gets tough; it’s about stepping away for a fresh perspective, realigning the pieces, and tackling it with renewed focus.
Just like solving the cube, mastering your career in real estate isn’t about luck or shortcuts.
It’s about learning the key moves, and knowing when to be patient and when to push through those final steps.
So, think about that cube next time you’re stuck with a tricky listing or a personal challenge.
Know that, with a few more moves and a bit more perseverance, you’ll get there.
Keep going… you’re closer than you think.
