Burn the Ships

[Guest]

So you feel that only you and the carrier are actually working to deserve making money? As if the owners of GA's/MGA's do not work, when they have a responsibility to provide for a group of agents?

I've worked harder (and longer hours) in the last six months than in the last two years, so I'll politely disagree.

"Don't lie cheat or deceive and work hard" is great advice, but doesn't really say much about how to succeed does it? If it did, I know a dozen friends who work hard and are honest but still aren't very successful, perhaps there's more to success than that.

Oh yeah, heard that advice before, "dip your toe in and test the waters", and see if it works. Imagine if you gave your all to accomplish something, the possibilities of what could happen would astound you!!

And if you read my further explanation you'll see that I did not say sell the house and quit your job, I said keep a part time job, etc, so again, it seems you're just trying to make a point here.

I highly doubt Cortez (upline) ever did ANY hard work. His men (downline) did the work. Kind of like how FMO's & MGA's don't do any work.
Most every contract I have is direct with the exception of two. On both of these contracts, it erks the carp out of me that someone else makes money off my hard work by doing absolutely nothing.
Because of the high failure rate in this industry ( must be 90% within 2 years?), I would never tell a rookie agent to burn their ships(or bridges).
I would suggest transitioning into insurance. Keep your fulltime day/night job. Work insurance into your off time. See if you like it. Test the waters. If you don't like it, fine. Keep your current fulltime job.
I worked evenings at a bowling center from 1974 to 1978. Back then, you could sell ins under a certificate of convenience. I tested the insurance waters during the daytime and found I liked it.

Don't lie, cheat, or deceive. Work hard. I'm 57 and I've made a small fortune in this industry. I still work Monday --> Friday. And, I go into the office every Sat and Sun each week for several hours.

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PS: No one (including Cortez) achieves a leadership position without hard work and successful track record.

 

[somarco]

No one (including Cortez) achieves a leadership position without hard work and successful track record.

Sorry, but in looking over Barry Obama's resume' I see no evidence of either.

Perhaps you are familiar with the term "empty suit".

The Peter Principle (not what you think) is another term that comes to mind.

 

[Guest]

Maybe I should have said effective/respected leaders or those who left a positive legacy.

Sorry, but in looking over Barry Obama's resume' I see no evidence of either.

Perhaps you are familiar with the term "empty suit".

The Peter Principle (not what you think) is another term that comes to mind.

 

[COInsguy]

If you cant Jump In and commit yourself to something then you haven't done enough research to make an educated decision. Testing the waters is exactly why the failure rates are so high.

When I made my move to Insurance I knew I was going to, I knew I could, and I forced myself to be successful. If I failed my Kids didn't have a roof over their head. "Testing the Waters" was never an option for me. That's an excuse to admit failure without ever making a true attempt.

Does your Doctor work part time and "test the water" Would you use an Attorney who was a bartender on the nights/weekends?

 

[somarco]

Would you use an Attorney who was a bartender on the nights/weekends?

Maybe.

Depends on how good he is at mixing drinks . . .

 

[DS4]

Does your Doctor work part time and "test the water" Would you use an Attorney who was a bartender on the nights/weekends?

Not a good analogy.
To become a physician or attorney, requires several additional years of medical school and law school, usually AFTER a 4 yr degree.
I only had to take a state test that anyone with half a brain could pass.
I have seen many, many agents fail within 1 or 2 years of becoming licensed. Usually, they first hit up all their friends and family. Usually attaining somewhat good success. It's when you have to start dealing with strangers that selling insurance takes its toll.
Here's my analogy, would you get married without at least having sex once or twice?? I would want to at least test the waters.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

If you were spending a few hundred grand on a home do you want a part-time real estate agent? Someone "dabbling in it" before they fully commit? I certainly don't.

"So what can you tell me about this community and school district?"

Real estate agent: "Honestly, not much. I'm just messing around with this. Oh, and I gotta be out of here by 4pm - waitering at the Red Lobster. This week is Lobster Fest so things are crazy."

 

[Guest]

This is what's called "burning desire."

An "I have to succeed" attitude and in a way it either makes or breaks people. They either give up or forge ahead. The choice is theirs, they can give in to fear and doubt (which we all experience) and listen to the naysayers (who usually aren't as successful as they'd like) or they stick to it and find a way, if not in one place, in another.

If I failed my Kids didn't have a roof over their head. "Testing the Waters" was never an option for me. That's an excuse to admit failure without ever making a true attempt.

Does your Doctor work part time and "test the water" Would you use an Attorney who was a bartender on the nights/weekends?

To Somarco, glad to see you still have your sense of humor Bob.
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Here's my analogy, would you get married without at least having sex once or twice?? I would want to at least test the waters.

And this is a good analogy? So you don't want to commit unless the physical aspect is ti your liking, rather than grow with a person and stay committed to making it work?

Actually, on second thought, it is a good analogy, as to why relationships and careers fail, lack of commitment and the mindset that it's all about you.
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If you were spending a few hundred grand on a home do you want a part-time real estate agent? Someone "dabbling in it" before they fully commit? I certainly don't.

"So what can you tell me about this community and school district?"

Real estate agent: "Honestly, not much. I'm just messing around with this. Oh, and I gotta be out of here by 4pm - waitering at the Red Lobster. This week is Lobster Fest so things are crazy."

This leads back to my point of committing to the decision you make to enter into a venture. Burn the ships!!

He he, gotta love this repartee.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Here's my analogy, would you get married without at least having sex once or twice?? I would want to at least test the waters.

"Why buy the cow when you can drink the milk for free?"
- Al Bundy

 

[DS4]

It's almost near impossible to jump into this industry as an independent and make good money from the get go. Or, am I out of touch?
Unless, of course, a broker (like me) hires you, or, you become a captive agent(State Farm, etc).
I went back and looked at my previous tax records. In 1977, I was managing a bowling center making $20k/yr. In 1978, my first full year in insurance, I made $9k/yr. This was pure comm, no salary etc. By 1982, I had $30k of credit card debt. I would have failed had I jumped into ins cold turkey. I barely made it as it was
My statement about "testing the waters" would only apply to someone wanting to be a complete independent. Like myself.
Renewals are the life blood of this industry.