Sniff, Sniff.
Stepping down sounds so dramatic. As if I’m abdicating the throne, giving up my gold medal after being caught with a needle full of steroids, or I just got caught in a compromising photograph and I need to hang up my tiara as Miss USA. None of these can be further from the truth (mainly because I am not royalty, an Olympian, or female). No, there is a lot less drama and fanfare associated with my change.
Although there will be no tears and no death-grip hugs to say goodbye, I do feel slightly sad. It’s one of those things in life, where you can literally feel yourself turning that last page so you can shut the cover of the large, leather bound (and slightly dusty) book that sits in your lap. It’s time to put this volume back on the shelf and start a new book. You’re relieved that you finished the book, but a bit wistful about the enjoyment you had reading late into the night as you worked your way through page by page, reading each page out loud to the audience that has gathered before you to sit by the fire and share their thoughts on the story. The library is large and you have many choices to make about what’s next, but you know that special book is there and you’ll dive in just like you did last time.
Thud!
The back cover slams shut with a resounding thud and you sit with your thoughts on the past for a few moments in the silence. It’s over and it’s time to move on.
The Stigliano Chronicles are finished. No more. Gone. Done. Dead. Over. That giant book in my lap is the body of writing I’ve done up to this point at AgentGenius and it sits neatly in my lap, waiting to be put on the shelves of the library that is the internet for someone to read and enjoy later. I find that the chair I sit on isn’t comfortable anymore either. It’s been worn in over the last year and a half or so and although still a wonderful chair, I feel like I need a new one. Something bigger, better, and ready to take my weight for the next few years. So I stand up, step down, and leave that behind too.
There’s always a place to sit.
I’ve found a new place to sit in the cavernous library that is AgentGenius. My new chair looks like it may just be able to handle me for a few years. The fireside is warm as always and the people meandering in and out to listen to tales read from the giant books that line the walls are ever changing. Some are new faces, some are old friends; but the cycle remains constant. There will always be someone to chat with, share ideas with, and discuss story lines with. They just won’t be done over The Stigliano Chronicles anymore. That book is closed and we must begin a new one.
The Stigliano Chronicles was based on my experiences as a new agent and although I will always keep the mind of a new agent, I will no longer hold onto that moniker. The torch has been passed in that sense and I welcome Michael Bertoldi to the AgentGenius family of writers. I hope he likes my old seat (sorry about the coffee stain). He’s brought a new book to read and discuss with you all and based on the interactions I’ve had with him, he’ll have a great story to tell (I think it might be one of those “choose your path” books that I loved when I was younger).
In the meantime, I will continue to scour the shelves and look for new stories to bring to my fireside chair and share with you. I hope you’ll find me in my new seat and continue to enjoy the stories I share and discuss with you. It’s time for this new agent to speak as an agent who’s still new. There’s a difference, which is why I’ve stepped down, only to step up again. See you next week, feel free to wear your pajamas so you’ll be comfortable.
photo courtesy of cygnus921
Sheri Moritz
February 18, 2010 at 8:06 am
Great post Matt – You have earned your new chair!
Matt Stigliano
February 18, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Sheri – Now I just need to find the perfect book to kick off my fireside chat with.
Michael Bertoldi
February 18, 2010 at 10:12 am
Awesome post Matt! Man, have I got some shoes to fill or what?
Well, I’d rather not put myself under that kind of pressure and those kind of expectations as I know from reading AG that you are one talented dude. Thanks for keeping the seat warm, I’ll do my best to represent it well.
Matt Stigliano
February 18, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Michael – Big shoes to fill? Nah. Maybe a decent sized waistline to compete with, but that’s about it. You were asking in your debut post for advice from agents about becoming an agent, let me give you some advice on being an AgentGenius writer…
Don’t feel as though anyone is above you and will look down on you as the “new guy.” AgentGenius writers are some of the greatest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting online and off. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone, send them an email, or DM them on Twitter. I’ve a million mini-coaching sessions at the oddest hours with some of the writers I really admire. They give it to you straight, they give you tips, and they want you to succeed.
As for the upcoming exam, I forgot to put a piece of advice my exam-prep instructor gave me. He handed each one of us a mini-Snickers bar (note: AG is in no way affiliated with Snickers or any candy company that I know of…I wish they were so I could get free candy) as we passed our mock-exam. He told us to hang on to it until the day we had scheduled for a state licensing test. We were not to eat it until we walked through the door of the facility on that morning. Then, we were to unwrap it, remember everything he taught us, eat it and go pass the test. It worked for me.
Michael Bertoldi
February 18, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Thanks Matt. You are full of useful advice.
I know the privilege of writing here will be a great experience. I’ve already learned a ton just from being a reader. I’m fine with knowing that I’m the rookie around here, but hopefully I’ll prove to be a “rookie of the year” kind of rookie. Either way, I know I’ll learn a lot.
You know, I think I will indeed try the snickers thing. Sounds like a good idea. As a matter of fact, a full sized snicker sounds good right about now.
Janie Coffey
February 18, 2010 at 7:58 pm
you SCARED Me! i thought you were stepping down and stepping out! soooo glad it ain’t true!!!
Matt Stigliano
February 19, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Janie – The first few paragraphs were actually written specifically for Benn. I thought he would get a chuckle out of it. It’s been tough through the beginning and I’ve made my fair share of “wish-I-had-thought-that-out-better” moves that resulted in a loss of money or time, but it’s going to be pretty hard to get rid of me.
Michael Price
February 18, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Best of luck to both of you!
Matt Stigliano
February 19, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Michael – I think Michael will be an interesting one to follow. His background in marketing should provide useful – hopefully to us as well as him.
Ken Brand
February 18, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Pull your lounger over here so we can clink-cheers!
Matt Stigliano
February 19, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Ken – Only you can tell your stories in a lounger…the rest of us have to sit up straight. Granted, they’re beautifully crafted comfortable chairs, but not everyone can have the poolside seat.
Gwen Banta
February 19, 2010 at 3:42 am
Matt, I don’t care if your feet are stepping up or down, as long as they are still kicking ass!
Matt Stigliano
February 19, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Gwen – I think that should become a motivational quote. You know the kind on the black background posters with kittens hanging onto wires that say “Hang in there Kitty!”
Doug Francis
February 19, 2010 at 10:38 am
If you weren’t growing then we would all be worried. Ask any real estate agent how many times they have been forced to re-evaluate their marketing strategies, presentations, how they fit into the market, or what the market needs them to be in order to be successful.
Matt, I’ll be honest with you. You need to sell more homes, get the money in the bank, pay down some bills and then write about your resurrection. I am willing to bet that you could write a book (and maybe a movie deal) if you can deliver an ending we can all cheer about!
Matt Stigliano
February 19, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Doug – It’s a definite case of sometimes you need to see what’s not working to see what’s working. Real estate has a very “trial and error” theme running through it. Much like what I might be doing today won’t work for me tomorrow, what works for you (or anyone else) today might not work for me forever. It’s about finding the items that do work and then staying on top of them in case they start slipping.
I think your assessment is dead on (although I’m not sure the movie would be all that interesting, but if possible, I’d prefer to have Harrison Ford play me) and actually after reading it, I feel quite motivated by it. As I said to Benn the other day, I let myself get beat down a bit – I took the beating and kept on going, but not at full speed. I need to re-correct my course and my speed.
Doug Francis
February 20, 2010 at 8:55 am
I see the movie starting with a gritty Pennsylvania rocker theme, transitioning into a feel good, Texas country/western pic. A man and his wife, leaving their life behind for dusty Texas, life’s high’s and lows, and the decision to take control and life up to your potential. It’s a classic Matt, and all you need to do is write the final chapter.
Missy Caulk
February 21, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Well, I am glad I was visiting the FB fan page for AG tonight and found this.
Glad you’re not leaving but growing up…not old in a lounge chair.