October 10 was the day my Real Estate studies began. Forever a student, I eagerly began! The online course I had purchased allowed 120 days to complete not including the course exam which was to be taken in person. I mapped out my plan to complete the lessons, allowing margin for lessons that might take longer to complete. According to my estimations, I was poised to finish WAY before the deadline. I scheduled studies into my day, sometimes during the time the children were at school, but mostly evenings after they went to bed. I diligently took notes and completed units. And it took me the ENTIRE allotted amount of time to complete the course. I scheduled my course exam, took it, and failed. Wait, WHAT? Yes, I failed.
I was completely shocked because I just KNEW I had passed, and probably had also received one of the highest grades in the class. I was in shock but set to studying again, determined to pass the second time (particularly so since I would not have to redo the entire course if I failed the second time). My second time there, I remember turning over the test and feeling a sense of dread seeing the same questions I thought I had answered correctly the first time around. I assume it's for security reasons, but you are not told which questions you answered correctly and which ones were incorrect. Of course, this makes studying so much more challenging. Hunkering down, I once again did what I thought was my best... but this time I passed!
I quickly scheduled my license exam and continued to study daily. Walking in to take the license exam, I was nervous but confident. They took my picture and assigned me a computer. My game plan was to skip any question I did not immediately know the answer to, answer the ones I knew for certain, answer all of the math problems (there's only one correct answer to those questions after all!), and circle back around to the hard questions. First question: Not sure. Second question: Could be B? Third Question: Uh Oh. Fourth Question: Cue the tears. Panic washed over me and dread set in. What had happened to the last SIX MONTHS of studying?
Pulling myself together, I slowed down and miserably finished the test. I left the room defeated and handed my paperwork back to the man behind the desk. He asked me to sit and started printing forms. I quickly looked at my phone camera to make sure I had wiped all of the streaked mascara away. The gentleman handed me my forms and started to give me instructions for delivering them to my broker. I was so confused... "I PASSED?!?" I asked, astounded. "Yes, you passed." Was his dry reply. I joked that I now understood why they took the license picture before the exams.
Throughout this long and tedious process, Chris fully supported me... at least in words. He was always the first to tell friends about my new endeavors, proudly stating that he fully supported this life transition. At the time, I was still teaching three days a week, involved with the children's school PTO, and finishing up my 14-year commitment to North Fulton Music Teachers as their Vice President of Programs. I was so thankful that I had his verbal support but can remember the exact moment of being completely overwhelmed when he responded, "This was your decision." We had been in the middle of a discussion about everything going on, from two separate carpools, to running a household, to teaching, to studying. I stood there flabbergasted by his response. As was customary for me, I pondered his response. A few days later, during a conversation, I laid it out for him.
"Chris," I said. "I truly appreciate all of your verbal support. It means the world to me for you to have my back as I chase this new dream. But I need more than words. To me, support looks like helping out a little more around the house. Support in words is great, but I need actual, physical help." (As a side note, this is why communication is so important in relationships.). Chris looked as though a lightbulb had just gone off in his head. Suddenly, he got it.
His support changed from just verbal, to actual physical, tangible support for which I was incredibly grateful. He started helping out around the house, taking over responsibilities that had previously been mine. At one point, he even took over the laundry! He overwhelmed me with his help. The support continued through the birth of my actual business. I can 100% say that I would not have been able to achieve the level of success I have without it. Being able to communicate what I needed and having a partner who was willing to listen and change was absolutely priceless.
Thank you to the following Artist for their art:
Pixaby
Energepic
Karolina Grabowska
Tatiana Syrikova
