Tina Joa

Thankful and Fearful: How I Got Out of My Own Way

It’s Thanksgiving, and as a realtor, I’ve been reflecting on the balance of being thankful and fearful. This past week has been one for the books, and I’m getting ahead of myself by writing this now, especially since I didn’t even manage last week’s post. But let me explain why.

Last week, I wasn’t exactly “getting out of my own way.” But I did go to jujitsu—my exercise and therapy rolled into one. Feeling great and confident as a two-stripe white belt, I was working with a new girl on the techniques we were taught in class. We were rolling, everything was flowing, and suddenly—*pop*. My knee gave out. Pain shot through it, but I kept my cool. I didn’t yell or freak out. I calmly told her it wasn’t her fault. In hindsight, I should’ve adjusted my footing when I felt resistance. Now, I’m facing eight weeks of no physical activity. And guess what? Realtors walk—a lot.

But here’s where things get interesting. I had an event planned with my former employer, Givenchy, and this was my chance to get face-to-face time with my target audience. Free advertising, lead generation—yes, please! But with my knee situation, I was tempted to sit it out. Still, it wasn’t the “bad knee,” and though it’s a slight tear, I went to the event anyway.

Was it worth the swelling? Absolutely. I walked (well, limped) away with 6 new leads and 3 reactivations. That’s what I call a win, knee injury and all.

But that wasn’t the only win. I also did something I would’ve shied away from in the past: an interview. After checking with marketing and getting the green light, I rushed home to change after a grueling physio session. I was nervous, limping, and exhausted, but I know this topic well, and I pushed myself to go for it. The result? A successful interview on CityTV Edmonton on October 8, 2024, where I discussed the housing market. The feedback was great, my broker was happy, and even though I was stressed and shy, none of it showed on camera.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Sometimes, you have to get out of your own way. Whether it’s dealing with an injury, battling nerves, or doubting yourself, you’ve got to keep going. I’m still that little fish swimming in a big pond, but every little fish has to believe they can grow into something more.

And with one more week behind me, I’m just a little further along in this crazy world of real estate.

o be honest, life as a new realtor is beyond stressful. I hear people around me saying, "You’re doing great!" or "You’ll be fine!"—and while I appreciate it, I can’t help but feel the pressure mounting behind the scenes. My mind is constantly racing, filled with self-doubt: "What have I done? Why am I doing this? Will I even succeed?"

On the surface, my activity levels are off the charts. I’m pushing myself harder than I ever have, juggling everything from marketing to meetings to follow-ups. Every month, the business fees creep higher—training, conferences, networking events, lunches with leads—and I’m always eyeing the cost of running things. Yet, despite the hustle, I sometimes feel like the annoying person trying to stay top-of-mind. That little voice whispers, "Maybe you’re being too much."

But I can’t afford to let that kill my spirit. I’m unconventional, not part of a larger team, and still learning. This journey is supposed to be a marathon, not a sprint, but I’m frustrated when I don’t feel supported by certain family members. My husband reassures me, "They’ll see you grow, and then they’ll come around." He’s probably right, but it doesn’t change how I feel in the moment.

Right now, I’m a little fish in a big pond. I’m not drowning, but success feels far away. Two sales in five months…OMG. It’s not what I expected, but I’ll keep swimming.

Then there’s the rollercoaster of emotions. One minute, people are telling me how hard I’m working, how I need to slow down, relax, take a break. We’ve talked about it before—about the importance of taking breaks. But nope, no breaks for me. I’ve got my foot on the gas, and I refuse to let up.

The thing is, I’ve got goals. Big ones. Personal and professional. And the more I sit around feeling unproductive, the more I say, “F**k it, I’m just going to work harder.” I know that I am the business, and without strong family support from my extended circle, I shouldn’t be struggling as much as I am. But that’s not going to stop me. If it’s not happening now, I’ll just keep pushing until it does.

I’ve come to realize that the only way forward is to hustle. I’ll work even harder because I will hit my goals. The stress, the sleepless nights, the endless rollercoaster—it’s all part of the ride. Even though this journey is testing every ounce of my patience and willpower, I know it’ll be worth it in the end.

So, no breaks, no slowing down. I’ll keep moving forward. Success may be a long way off, but I’ll get there.

Signed,
The little fish, doing a backstroke with one fin tied behind my back… and yeah, still can’t see land yet, but I’m swimming! 🐠

To anyone watching, it might look like I’m just out having a blast. I’m spotted at the CCMAs, swinging clubs at charity golf tournaments, or laughing it up at conferences and community events in Edmonton’s west end. And yes, I admit, I am having fun—but let's not be fooled here. Behind the smiles and handshakes, there’s some serious strategizing going on.

You see, while I might look like a social butterfly floating through these events, in reality, I’m working hard to make sure my wings get noticed. There’s a lot more planning behind my “social” presence than it seems. Every time I show up, I’m making sure I’m seen, heard (even if I have to talk over the crowd), and remembered. Yes, I might be snapping selfies and live-streaming, but it's all part of a master plan.

Behind the scenes, I'm also working like a well-oiled machine—taking notes on conversations, following up on those chance meetings, and, more importantly, leaving an impression. Whether it’s video recordings, social media posts, or tagging my way into people’s feeds, I’m putting in the work. After all, you never know when that one person will scroll past, see my content, and say, “You know what? I like her. Let’s talk.”

But here’s the kicker—I’m five months into this journey now, and it’s a bit like swimming in a fish tank. Some days, it feels like I’m surrounded by sharks (cue the "dun-dun-dun" music), but then, I remind myself that not everyone is out to bite. In fact, some people really do want me to succeed, which is both reassuring and occasionally surprising.

Take a recent conference, for example. I was approached by a colleague from another brokerage who said, “You clean up good!” (Thanks, I try!) I’d met her at my first golf tournament in June. One random conversation, and here we are—building something that started with a casual chat. Now, I’ve got connections with keynote speakers, and after a quick compliment on a presentation, I even got tagged on one speaker’s latest book tour. What started as small talk is turning into real, meaningful relationships.

The funny thing is, most people see me having fun and think it’s all effortless. Truth is, I’m doing the prep work—researching who’s going to be at these events, thinking about who I need to meet, and practicing my small talk like it’s an Olympic sport. By the time I’m in the room, I’ve already done hours of work behind the scenes. I’m essentially the most fun over-prepared person at the party!

Of course, this whole thing is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m lucky to have a great group of friends who remind me that success takes time—and it’s built one relationship at a time. Every conversation, every event, and every social media post is a piece of the puzzle. And honestly? It’s starting to work. Slowly but surely, I’m getting heard.

So, the next time you see me out and about, don’t be fooled by the smile and the seemingly carefree vibe. Sure, I’m having a good time, but I’m also working the room, making sure I’m remembered, and quietly building something bigger. And in the meantime, I’m doing my best to keep swimming—even if I do feel like a small fish sometimes.

As I reflect on these past 4.5 months in real estate, it feels like being a little fish in a big shark tank. Everyone around me sees confidence, success, and potential—but I still wrestle with my own doubts. Why is it that others see the success I can’t quite believe in for myself yet?

I’ve made learning my mission. Whether it's diving into books, listening to mentors, or picking up non-verbal cues in conversations, I’m constantly working on improving my skills. I’ve put myself out there, attending several community events, with many more to come, and I’m even gearing up for RAECON, the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton’s event, to keep expanding my knowledge.

One of my biggest challenges so far was at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). Walking up to strangers, starting conversations, and leaving an impression wasn’t easy, but I did it 30 times! I even met a Hells Angel, and after realizing we had a family connection, his partner told me how fun I am. I might be fun, but I’m also constantly analyzing every interaction, calculating every move to make the most of those moments. This is the real work behind the scenes that people don’t always see.

Then there was the charity golf event. I was terrified of making a fool of myself, but I let go of that fear and decided to have fun. It’s moments like this that remind me: while the uneasiness may never fully disappear, I can choose to enjoy the process and grow through it.

Despite the curveballs from clients and prospects, I’m starting to feel like I belong in this shark tank. I’m balancing my life, work, and friendships—albeit imperfectly—and finding my rhythm. I know I have the support of my family, and I’m learning that success doesn’t always look like a straight line. It’s about adapting, learning, and pushing forward, even when doubt creeps in.

This little fish is getting stronger, swimming better, and making waves in this shark tank. I’m going to shake off the worry and continue showing up as my best self. The success will come—I just need to keep believing in it.

As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Oh, and about that golf event? I hit the ball straight... straight into the trees. But hey, at least I had fun!

I often get asked why I started my real estate career now, and not when my kids were young. Well, here's the reality—when I had my first child, we were moved to Victoria. I tried to work in the field I studied in university, but it just didn’t work out. Between my baby needing me, getting sick, daycare issues, and the looming student loans, it was impossible. Add in military life with no real support system, and I had no choice but to put my career on hold.

Then we moved to Halifax—another coast, another attempt. I still had student loans and still lacked support. Every job I applied for seemed to label me as either overqualified or underqualified. We were down to one income, and it was a struggle to keep up with the financial burden.

Finally, we made the decision to move back home. The kids were still little, and I needed flexibility because my husband had left civilian work in oil and gas to return to the military. That transition came with its own set of challenges, but it was necessary for our family.

Fast forward to today—my kids are grown, we’re more financially secure, and I have the time to pursue this profession full throttle. But let me be clear: the costs are real. Realtors pay a lot for licensing, fees, advertising, fuel—everything adds up. It’s cheaper than going back to get my master’s degree, sure, but this is not a cheap profession to break into.

Starting out, I feel like a little fish in a huge pond filled with strong sharks. I’m just beginning to make ripples, hoping they’ll grow into tiny waves. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. While I want to sprint, I’ve accepted that success takes time.

I spend a lot of my time dispelling misconceptions about what being a Realtor is really like. I’m qualified to handle new home builds and licensed for all of Alberta. And if I don’t know something, I ask the “sharks.” Yes, I’m scared and stressed. Yes, it’s a lot of work. But I am the business, and I know that once people start to see me, it’ll be great.

If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s to lean on my social network, recharge when I can, and just breathe. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither is a successful real estate career. But with a little patience, a lot of hustle, and maybe the occasional glass of wine (or two), I’ll get there.

And hey, if I can survive military moves, oil and gas chaos, and raising kids, surely I can handle a few sharks in the real estate pond. Right? Right?

When I decided to become a REALTOR®, I knew there would be a lot to learn, but nothing could have prepared me for the depth of knowledge and experience I would gain in my first four months. It's been a whirlwind—not of sales, but of learning. More than any book or exam could have taught me, I’ve had to dive headfirst into the complexities of this business.

I'm no stranger to being thrown into the deep end. As a former swim instructor, I know the importance of building skills step by step. Ironically, though, that’s not how I’ve had to approach real estate. I’ve had to learn quickly, adapt on the fly, and navigate a sea of information that extends far beyond just opening doors to homes.

When I chose my brokerage, I was drawn not only to their impressive track record but also to their Academy, where new agents like me could ask all our "dumb" questions and get the answers we needed. This support system has been invaluable, but I soon realized that the glamorous image of a REALTOR®’s life, often depicted as simply showing beautiful homes, was just the surface. Beneath it lies a mountain of contracts, negotiations, and networking that I had to master.

Coming from the retail makeup industry, where guiding clients to the right product was my daily mission, I thought I had the client-hunting skills down. But real estate is different. It’s not about guiding clients to a specific product anymore; it’s about guiding them through one of the most significant decisions of their lives. This requires more than just knowledge; it requires empathy, patience, and the ability to be a steady hand in the midst of chaos.

There are moments, I’ll admit, when fear and stress creep in—moments when I wonder if I’ll be lost in the sea of voices that make up this industry. But I try to remind myself of what those who know me best have told me: I’m the calm force in the chaos. That’s my strength, and it’s what I bring to my clients every day.

Moving forward, I plan to share monthly updates about my journey as a new REALTOR®. Through the highs and lows, the fears and triumphs, and everything in between, I hope to provide an authentic glimpse into what it takes to build a career in this dynamic field. I invite you to join me on this journey, learn alongside me, and perhaps find inspiration in the challenges and successes that lie ahead.

As I continue this path, I’m committed to ongoing education, to mastering the art of real estate, and to being that reliable, calming presence for my clients. The road ahead may be challenging, but it's a journey I'm excited to embark upon with all of you.

"You don’t have to be fearless; just don’t let fear stop you." – Charlie Day