Our youngest son David is transitioning into real estate and still learning the habits that make for a successful agent. He’s also an accomplished pianist and piano teacher. Recently, he tied the two concepts together in a short article, Is This Necessary?, which is worth the read in its entirety. Here are some snippets:

I am being coached/mentored by a real estate expert and professional coach... During one of our early meetings, when I sat there nearly in tears as I spoke about my lack of success so far in real estate, I was forced to admit that I did not engage in many of the activities I heard about early in my new career from experienced agents, choosing not to connect the dots between those activities and future business.

Recently, I started a new piano student…15 years old…I began teaching him out of a book specifically designed for the “older beginner,” … The first page is designed to get background by asking questions like “Do you have a piano at home? Have you ever had any music lessons or learning previously? Does anyone in your family participate in music?” And other basic details. I barely started into that conversation when the young man interrupted me and asked, “Is this necessary?”

Later in the lesson I was showing him the first playing exercise, which fingers to use on which notes, etc. He stated, “Why can’t I just use these fingers? It seems that would be easier.” I paused to take a deep breath and find the words. Because what I really wanted to say was, “How about you let me, the guy that’s played for 40 years, gotten paid to play for 25 years, and has been teaching piano for 18 years, tell you what to do?”

Then David remembered that he hadn’t been doing what his real estate coach was telling him to do, essentially asking, “Is this necessary?” He said:

I begin afresh the necessary, sometimes mundane tasks that are tried and true in producing leads, that turn into clients, that turn into commissions.

Then he closes with this challenge:

Spiritually, don’t we also do the same thing? Perhaps we don’t feel that reading the bible daily, engaging in regular prayer, or actively participating in a local church, are really all that important to our spiritual lives. We cut corners, or attend church online, or maybe read the bible for a few minutes here and there. Then we wonder why we’re not really seeing fruit. Why am I not feeling close to God, or understanding what path he would have me take, or receiving his blessing on my family, career, and personal habits? How many times do we hear what we know to be true and ask, “Is this necessary?”

A good word, David. Thank you. As I quoted Nick Sabin a couple of weeks ago, “It takes what it takes.”

¹  Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
⁵  O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
⁶  Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right…
¹⁰  Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

³³  Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
³⁴  Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
³⁵  For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 8 – selected verses)