Choosing Hard

Finding the joy in doing what's necessary

A few months ago I made a declaration that I am going to make my living doing Commercial Real Estate.

It’s how I’ve always made my money and it’s where I feel most capable.

It felt like an easy decision. Real estate is my bread and butter and it will give me the flexibility to keep the Den going.

Now that I’m in the meat of it, I’m noticing it’s not so simple. Things have changed since I last worked in real estate.

I’m not the same person I was 3 years ago. The office market is dry and being transactionally focused doesn’t feel in integrity with my system.

When I stepped out of the real estate game to create the Den, I gave my soul permission to breathe.

I uncovered new skills. I was more in touch with my creative side. I wasn’t looked upon as a salesy person.

I felt more valued on a day-to-day basis.

I felt like I was on purpose.

My mission when I started the Den was to inspire people to integrate spiritual work into their day-to-day life.

Connecting to your soul, while taking care of your responsibilities.

I’ve noticed a lot of people are fed up with the corporate world. I’ve seen it over and over again. People coming into the Den unhappy with their jobs and looking for an out. Wanting to feel free.

Well now my greatest challenge is to lead what I’m preaching.

And this requires big movement for me.

My old real estate software is outdated. I was operating unconsciously with a survival "give me your money energy” because that was what got me to hustle and compete in that world. For whatever reason that worked for 6 years (Although I paid the price spiritually).

I can no longer operate that way. Every time I work from that energy it drains me.

My current struggles are feedback that I need to do things differently. Of course, it’s a really tough office market, but that is no excuse.

My movement is to change the way I do business. Upgrade my systems. Upgrade my business development to be more creative and human and ultimately become the Den Dave in the corporate world.

To step into my full leadership, however hard that is.

And the truth is I may not make good money doing this.

It may not be my path. But my wave is to see it through and stay in integrity with my business principles everyday.

Slowing down. Making true contact with the people I encounter. Not chasing the easy buck, but advising on what’s best for my client long term.

Finding the joy in work.

I’ve said this many times before, but I think we need the reminder every day.

You earn your alignment.

To get into greater alignment you will need to step out of alignment.

This is the constant flow of life.

As the universe asks more from you, you will need to leave certain comforts behind.

Shedding the easy, autopilot way of being.

Sacrificing short term income for longer term stability.

Building foundational roots that will create lasting fulfillment.

To put in your reps, even if your not getting positive feedback.

Embracing the HARD.

The juiciest rewards are when we meet our challenges. And when I say meet, I mean finding the opportunities in challenges.

Looking for the openings.

Not jumping out, but staying steadfast in your direction and staying open to new ways of being.

Because the second you jump out, you will delay the inevitable of facing the challenge again.

So yeah, I will be doing things differently in commercial real estate. I’m assembling a team. People I feel lined up with.

Positioning myself not as an agent but as a steward of cultural change.

Because that is my truth. That is what is embodied for me.

Not schlinging office space, but creating spaces that are hubs for human connection and expansion.

I’m doing this with the Den and I want to help other business leaders do the same.

It may take years to build a practice around these ethos.

But I will see that shit through and learn some valuable lessons along the way.

And that’s the currency for me. Not the money, but the growth. The lesson. Trusting that if I stay true to myself and work hard, the reward will come.

It may not be what I envisioned, but it will be the reward that I earned.