Life has a way of testing you when you least expect it. You hit roadblocks, face setbacks, and suddenly, every door feels like it’s slamming shut in your face. You don’t know where to start, and the weight of uncertainty presses down on you. But in those moments, the key isn’t to surrender—it’s to keep moving, to turn over every stone, to knock on every door until one opens.

That’s exactly how I ended up closing 22 apartments in a single block of 40 units in just one year.

Two weeks had passed without a single promising lead. The phone felt heavier with every unanswered call, every dead-end conversation. I was running ads, chasing owners, and doing everything I could to push deals forward—but nothing was working.

“I need a break.”

The frustration was getting to me. My energy was off, and I knew it. Desperation is a dangerous place for any agent, any entrepreneur, anyone chasing success. So, I decided to reset. I hit the gym to clear my head, then went for a walk by the sea in Sliema with a friend.

That’s when I saw it.

A father and his son working out together. The kid was exhausted, barely able to continue, but every time he stopped, his father pushed him with the same phrase:

“One more time.”

The boy hesitated, then did another rep. And another. And another. Each time, he looked like he had nothing left in him, but the words “one more” gave him the strength to keep going.

That hit me hard.

I had been drowning in my own limitations, convinced that my situation wasn’t going to change. But what if I just pushed myself a little further? One more call. One more reach-out. One more shot at making something happen.

I grabbed my phone and started dialing again.

“One more call.”

“One more call.”

The rejections piled up. “We don’t have anything available right now.” “Try again in two months.” The same answers, the same discouragement creeping back in.

Then I saw a contact in my list—Zejtun.

“What’s this doing here? This isn’t even in my area.”

I almost skipped it. Almost.

Then the words hit me again.

“One more!”

I called.

“Hello (owner’s name), good afternoon, this is Yusef, real estate agent. By any chance, do you have any properties for rent?”

“Yes, I have 40 brand-new units in San Gwann, another 50 in Sliema, and some in Zejtun.”

My jaw dropped.

I had been sitting on gold without even realizing it. A referral from another owner had led me to this contact, and I had completely forgotten about it.

The owner sent me photos, and one of the units matched a client I had been struggling to place. I had already shown him five solid options, but he wouldn’t commit. This building was different—modern, spacious, outdoor areas, even some with stunning views.

“I know he’s going to take one of these.”

The property manager showed us everything—maisonettes, apartments, penthouses. Then he mentioned one last unit:

“This one’s special. Trust me, he’s going to love it.”

We stepped into the penthouse. A corner one-bedroom with a massive 55-square-meter L-shaped terrace. The view stretched from Mdina to Valletta, over the airport, across half of Malta. The sun was setting, casting golden light over everything. It was breathtaking.

“This is it,” I thought. “There’s no way he won’t take it.”

But then he hesitated.

“I’ll think about it and let you know soon.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“You think you’ll find better than this?” I asked.

“I just don’t want to make a rushed decision. I want to sleep on it.”

The client left. I stood there, still in awe of the place. And then something clicked.

“One more.”

I called the property manager.

“I want to see it one more time.”

Standing there alone, watching the last light fade over the city, I made a decision.

“Tomorrow morning, I’m bringing you the deposit. I’m taking it for myself.”

And that’s how I ended up living in that penthouse for a year and eight months.

If I had skipped that call… If I had ignored that contact… If I hadn’t made that decision… I would have missed out on one of the biggest deals of my career and one of the best homes I ever lived in.

We regret the chances we don’t take, not the failures we face.

So for anyone out there feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure—this is your sign. Take action. Make the call. Knock on the door. Turn over every stone.

Because your breakthrough might be waiting just one more step ahead.