The Moment I Almost Gave Up—And What Turned It All Around
Before I stepped into the world of real estate, my life was at a crossroads. I had just been accepted for a secure position at the HSBC call centre, with a decent salary and bonuses. It seemed like a stable path, especially after just getting my driver’s license but still without a car. At the same time, a close friend reached out and told me that their real estate office was looking for new agents. He suggested I meet his manager, who could explain the job, and assured me they would help with transportation and viewings if I didn’t have a car yet.
I went into that meeting without much expectation. But after the manager explained what real estate was really about—working with people, helping them find homes, the thrill of closing deals—I knew, almost immediately, this was where I belonged. I left the office with my decision made. As soon as I got outside, I called the HSBC call centre and told them I wouldn’t be joining them after all. They were surprised and, for the next two weeks, they kept calling, trying to convince me to reconsider, but my mind was set. Real estate was where I was going to make my mark.
Before that, I had been working for a boat party company, selling tickets and event packages. The pay was low, but I learned valuable lessons about persistence and handling rejections, skills I was eager to implement in real estate.
I didn’t have a car yet, so I commuted daily by bus from my home in Pembroke to the office in Msida. It was tough. Three weeks passed and I hadn’t closed a single deal. I could feel the weight of my choice pressing down on me. Was this really the right decision? I had given up a stable salary and nothing was coming through.
I remember that Thursday night vividly. I was on the bus heading home, with my head resting on the window and tears silently rolling down my face. Doubt crept in. “I’m going to quit,” I told myself. “Tomorrow, I’ll call the call centre and ask if they’ll still take me.” The pain of failure and the fear of making the wrong choice were heavy on my shoulders.
But fate had other plans.
As I was deep in thought, my phone buzzed. A notification. It was from a potential client. The message read: “Is this still available?” My heart raced. I replied immediately, “Good evening, Sara. Nice to meet you. Yes, it’s still available. Would you like to see it?”
Sara agreed to a viewing the next day, and my hope was rekindled. This could finally be the one.
The next day, the viewing went smoothly. After showing her the property, the moment I had been dreaming of arrived. She looked me in the eye and said, “I’m going to take it.”
I could barely contain my excitement. Calm on the outside, but bursting with joy inside, I walked her through the next steps. “The next step is to pay the deposit to reserve it, and I’ll need your ID card to prepare the contract,” I told her.
She paid the deposit, and the next day, we met to sign the contract with my manager present. That was it—my first deal ever in real estate. I earned a commission of €470. For me, it was the most money I had ever made from a single deal, and it felt like my world had changed.
That first deal was a turning point. After that, I finally understood how the puzzle of real estate worked. In just two months, I closed 11 deals—still without a car. It wasn’t long before I earned enough to buy my first car, a milestone I had been dreaming of.
I’ll never forget that first deal, not just because of the money, but because it taught me something invaluable: Persistence pays off. Whenever I face difficult times now, I remember that Thursday night when I almost quit, and how sticking with it led to success. Sometimes, life tests us, pushing us to the brink, but it’s in those moments of doubt that our true character is built. Those challenges are what make us stronger, ready for the next level.
If you’re reading this and going through a tough time, remember—never give up. The breakthrough is just around the corner!
