Mistakes are inevitable but if you do as much pre-work as possible, then the likelihood of mistakes becomes less.  Working as a nurse has lot of uncertainty.  You come into your shift not knowing what kind of patients you will get.  Are they septic?  Newly diagnosed cancer?  Or are they suffering an autoimmune episode, where their own body is literally fighting against itself?  You hope that things go by smoothly, but more often than not, something serious comes up that you have to problem-solve and take immediate action on because healthcare is a constant change.

It’s the same in real estate.  Although there is a certain predictability to a real estate transaction, more often than not, something comes up that you need to problem-solve.  Being adaptable to these situations is so important.  I have worked with nurses and other professionals that are so hung up on a wrench thrown into their day, that instead of simply removing the wrench from the picture, they sit and complain about the wrench the entire day!  Not only are they not getting any work done, but now they have a negative, bad attitude for the entire day. How fun is that?!

In real estate, we are regularly presented with obstacles that we must problem-solve.  Sometimes this is in the form of a pivot.  We must look to a different source to get a task done.  Regardless of what the next step is, the important part is to maintain flexibility.  The more flexibility and adaptability you have as a nurse, the smoother your shift goes.

Does your patient need an unexpected procedure?  Then you better get the consent ready.  Does your charge nurse need you to take on a new admit?  Then you better look up the patient and get a report from the ER nurse.  In the real estate world, if your lender needs another paystub because too much time has lapsed since the first one, then you better log on to your employee portal and send them over a copy.  If your investor is having trouble understanding the syndication process, then you better provide them with resources that make the most sense.

Instead of getting frustrated with these slight difficulties, it is better for everyone, as a nurse and as an operator, to respond to the ever-changing uncertainty with grace and flexibility.

Who do you know that consistently responds to uncertainty and constant change with a good attitude?