Growing up on a dairy farm taught me the power of resilience, discipline, and perseverance. Farming is not just a job, it is a commitment, a way of life that requires showing up every single day, no matter the circumstances. The animals do not wait, the seasons do not slow down, and there is always work to be done. But while that experience ingrained in me an unshakable work ethic, it also prepared me for something entirely different: a career in real estate.
Effort Is the Foundation, but Balance Is the Goal
Hard work is one of the most valuable skills anyone can develop. Waking up with the sun, putting in long hours, and learning to push through exhaustion taught me that success does not come from wishful thinking; it comes from action.
There were seasons, planting and harvests, where I worked sixteen to eighteen hours a day, barely sleeping, knowing the job had to get done. That same relentless drive is what fuels me in real estate.
But what I have also come to realize is that working hard for the sake of working is not the answer. For some, the goal is to dedicate their time entirely to work, and I respect that commitment. However, my goal is to build a life full of meaningful experiences and lasting memories.
True success comes from intentional effort, knowing where to put your energy, how to balance ambition with quality of life, and when to take the leap toward something new. Farming taught me discipline, but real estate is teaching me the importance of choosing where to direct that discipline.
The Power of Adaptability, within Cyclical Businesses
Farming operates on cycles, predictable in some ways, completely unpredictable in others. Just like life, it requires adaptability. If a storm rolls in, you adjust. If an animal falls ill, you pivot. The same applies to real estate. Markets shift. Interest rates change. Unexpected regulations, like development charge increases or tariffs, can derail a deal at the last minute. Nothing is guaranteed, and success depends on the ability to adjust quickly.
When my allergy became so severe that I had no choice but to leave farming, I had two options: play the victim or change boots and move on. I chose to move forward. I pursued real estate, an industry I had been interested in and watched closely since high school.
The shift was daunting, but it reinforced an important lesson: being willing to step into the unknown is how you grow. I had always watched others take these leaps, moving forward while I stayed in the same place, hesitant to embrace change. Whether in business or in life, the people who succeed are the ones who adapt, take risks, and keep moving forward.
Building Relationships: From Isolation to Connection
Farming was an isolating career. The long hours and never-ending workload meant little time for relationships, and over time, I lost touch with many people. Real estate is the opposite. It thrives on relationships, on meeting new people, understanding their needs, and earning their trust. I had to rebuild my connections, to put myself out there in ways I never had to before. Success in this industry is not just about knowledge or skill; it is about people, and that has been one of my biggest learning curves.
Along the way, I have met people who have become lights in my life, guiding me with their wisdom and support. Sometimes, all it takes is the right person saying the right thing at the right time to reignite your drive and remind you why you started. These moments of encouragement can be the spark that pushes you forward, helping you navigate challenges and embrace opportunities with confidence.
One of my favourite parts of real estate is getting to jump into someone’s story during one of the largest transactions they will ever make. Being part of such a significant moment in their lives is both exciting and incredibly fulfilling.
Success Is More Than Just Working Hard
Leaving the farm did not mean leaving behind the lessons it gave me. It meant applying them in a way that aligned with the life I wanted to build. Hard work is the baseline, but making smart decisions, embracing change, and taking calculated risks are what truly create success.
Real estate is not a nine to five job with a steady pay cheque. There is no guaranteed salary. Every deal is a grind, an opportunity that must be earned. It is a career built on effort, trust, and persistence, much like farming. In both industries, you cannot expect immediate results, but if you stay consistent and put in the work, the rewards will come.
There is a lesson in this for anyone looking to take control of their future: effort alone will not get you where you want to be. You have to be willing to make choices that align with your bigger vision. You have to recognize that fear and uncertainty are normal, but they are not reasons to stay stuck.
The Takeaway: Own Your Time, Own Your Life
If there is one thing I have learned, it is that time is the most valuable resource we have. You can always make more money, but you cannot make more time. The key is to use it wisely, not just to work, but to live, to take chances, and to build a future that excites you.
Whether it is farming or real estate or something else entirely, success is built on effort, adaptability, and persistence.
Change is inevitable.
Fear of the unknown is natural.
But the biggest risk is not stepping into something new, it is staying in the same place, wondering what could have been.
