It’s funny how inspiration can always strike when we least expect it.

Like when standing in line for coffee, watching that movie your best friend dragged you into – or even stumbling into a seemingly superficial Bravo show only to quickly learn it’s the BEST THING EVER.

Ok, maybe not the best ever, BUT either way there’s no denying my newfound obsession with Million Dollar Listing: New York.

Look at them acting so serious…HA ((Image Source))

Now – when we’re talking about a show that follows some of the top dogs of NYC slinging more than a billion dollars’ worth of high-brow real estate each year, you picture a bunch of ultra-suave, iconically sophisticated & undoubtably egotistical yuppies, right? Which…yes, there is some of that. But, there’s also the fact that at the same time, they’re just as big of freak flag flying oddballs as the rest of us!

(Except for Steve- he’s pretty genuinely suave & cool. I mean, have you seen that hair?) 

Seriously. They’re quirky. They have weird senses of humor. They do hilariously outrageous things that put themselves on the spot to be judged by some of New York’s most elite – it’s amazing. And while the claws no doubt come out at times (hello, it wouldn’t be Bravo without it), they for the most part seem like fun, go-lucky dudes that clearly know their stuff.

Which A) instantly won me over, & also B) led to realizing just how many honestly legit life lessons are ingrained into the show as well! I know, I know, it’s Bravo – who would have ever thought? But jokes aside, after eight real-deal seasons these guys have dished some seriously superb advice.

So I figured it was about time for it to be shared & screamed about from the rooftops! Shall we?

#1: NOT WASTING TIME ON PEOPLE WHO AREN’T WORTH IT

In the confines of a career, this little jewel is ALWAYS much easier said than done. Regardless of the industry, it’s guaranteed that at times you’ll have to deal with people you would sometimes just rather not. But whether it’s working your way up to a place of getting to pick & choose your clients/long-term projects, or work aside- just carrying the same principle over to your personal life, this is one of the most basic of basic yet hardest to implement philosophies out there. 

The fact is, there are tons of people on this big blue ball that simply aren’t worth your time, energy & love. So being able to recognize psychic vampires/all of the other low-energy peeps that harsh your mellow more than they raise it, & figure out how to most effectively (& practically) minimize their place in your life is a game changer.

Even when it’s an $18 million Central Park South penthouse on the line.

#2: HAVING GENUINE PURPOSE MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE

No matter if that purpose means a family, a creative drive or passion projects that you hope can have a positive impact one day – they all make for a way different, more meaningful life than those solely rooted in chasing money &/or soulless career advancement. 

This we very much saw with the heart-felt (& still hilariously insane) season 8 finale recapping that almost all of the star cast members are now fathers of at least one baby. At the end of the day, when you have something larger & genuinely important that’s driving your urge to be successful – beyond the mere idea of that on-paper success itself – it makes for lightyear’s more enjoyment of that success when it happens. As well as a way more fulfilling journey to get there. 

#3: CONFIDENCE CAN BE YOUR GREATEST SUPERPOWER

Fake it ’til you make it! As you can imagine, that’s a huge staple of how these guys climbed their way up the ladder. 

Although, there’s always a line to be drawn, nonetheless. It’s not about lying in every facet of life all the time, but just knowing the power that lies in presenting yourself well. Along with that, there’s also forcing yourself to jump into the life path you want (rather than waiting until you feel “ready” – because spoiler: you probably never will); having a knack for learning on the spot; and above all- not being afraid of (or derailed by) failure. 

It’s gonna happen one way or another; it’s just up to you to overcome & learn from it…then go on to become one of the most successful real estate agents in Manhattan.

NBD. 

#4: NOT BEING AFRAID TO LEARN FROM THE PROS (EVEN IF YOU ARE ONE)

And on that note, there’s also being willing (& eager) to learn from those who are totally crushing at whatever you’re aspiring to in life.

Take Tyler, for example, who surprised Ryan by booking a one-on-one meeting to ask what he did to win over the $5.5 million Tribeca listing that they were both in the running for. Sure, when you’re the new (& youngest & least experienced) kid on the block, you HAVE to be prepared to take notes from the best in order to graduate from that weenie dog in the FBI vest phase; but even the most seasoned of pros also know how to set their ego/pride aside & continue to learn new things, too. 

Because really- who knows it all?

#5: BALANCE THE GAME WITH YOUR OWN CREATIVE FLAIR

When we’re talking about hugely established, major-money industries, you can’t expect to change everything overnight. There are certain status quos that reign supreme and unspoken rules/relationships that run decades deep. Like ABBA always said, it’s the name of the game. 

BUT, figuring out how to inject the classic practice with your own creativity to catch people’s attention in unique & productive ways? That can be an insanely powerful approach to get ahead while authentically setting yourself apart from the rest. Literally, just be you! There’s nothing better.

#6: KEEP ON GOING

Definitely the most cliche, but we all know cliches get such a rep for a reason.

Whenever we choose less-than-easy industries to sink out little motivated hearts into, it should never come as a surprise that things won’t *clap* be *clap* easy. If they were, everyone would do it! So it’s exceptionally important to keep in mind that the only way to guarantee you won’t ever get to where you want to be, is if you stop. 

There’s a lot to be said for tasting the other side of the coin. Because when things always just seamlessly fall into place, we not only don’t fully appreciate them, but also have a harder time springing back when the slip-ups & setbacks strike. Even when people get to the presumable “top”, pitfalls can (& do) still happen. You may get that penthouse exclusive, but if the market doesn’t have your back a year down the road, you can get fired.

Even the best of the best face moments of weakness, so rather than getting discouraged, it’s about embracing, growing stronger from & moving on from the hitches to bolster your path toward the real goal.

That is, if you really want it, of course.

#7: ROLL WITH WHERE LIFE TAKES YOU

And finally, just like we learned from Rock of Ages (the stage show, not the embarrassing movie): the dreams you come with aren’t always the dreams you leave with, but hey, they STILL ROCK! (!!!!!!)

Some people go through life with a super clear-cut vision of exactly what they want to do. And they do it. And that’s great. But plenty of others find their way with the help of a few pivotal twists & turns. Ryan Serhant moved to New York City with big dreams of being an actor. Fredrik Eklund went to school for economics & kickstarted his career by founding an Internet company (& also apparently did a little porn). Steve Gold initially chose the world of modeling over a career in finance. Luis Ortiz went to film school & directed his own short films. Tyler Whitman used to sell broadway tickets to tourists in Times Square- & not to mention, weigh almost 400 pounds.

And while it’s totally understandable to see how all of these qualities eventually translated into the great wide world of real estate, that wasn’t the given path. They made it for themselves. 

And so can the rest of us.

UGH, so there we have it! A year’s worth of TED Talk-level material thanks to the lovely lads of Bravo’s own Million Dollar Listing: New York.

For all of the craziness that plagues the airwaves of reality TV, it’s always refreshing to know there are some true gems out there. 

xxAA

((all cast images in feature image from Bravotv.com))

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