Here’s a life cycle for people who are very good at what they do.

1. You’re the best in the business.
2. You develop a rabid, cult-like following for your service.
3. Your business booms; you make lots of money.
4. You become too busy to attend to the little things that made you the best in the business.
5. You expand &/or work too many hours to be healthy.
6. You either:
   A. expand successfully by hiring great people around you and teaching them to be the best in the business, in which case your success continues.
   B. lose the “buzz” because the people you hired didn’t share your passion, and your customers noticed.  You’ll end up back at step 1.
   C. burn out in flames, take some time off, and go back to step 1.

I’ve seen this happen to loan officers, escrow/title officers, tax accountants, attorneys, contractors, house cleaners, landscapers, restaurants, and yes - realtors!

What can we do about it?  If you’re passionate about being the best, people are going to talk, and your business is going to grow.  Remember to keep your focus on what got you there, and you’ll do great.