Why Standards Matter More Than Goals in Real Estate
Every January, the real estate industry sees the same pattern. Big goals. New resolutions. Fresh promises tied to a calendar date.
Michael Coxen does not believe that lasting change works that way.
In his recent talk, Coxen explains that tying growth to a date often becomes the perfect excuse to delay action. Change feels important, but it is postponed until conditions feel ideal. In reality, those conditions rarely arrive
For agents navigating a complex and shifting market, waiting is rarely a winning strategy.
Why Goals Often Fail in Real Estate Careers
According to Coxen, the issue is not ambition. The issue is how ambition is framed.
Goals are temporary. They are tied to outcomes and end points. Once achieved, they lose power. When missed, they often trigger self-judgment and burnout.
Standards work differently.
A goal says, “I will do this until I get there.”
A standard says, “This is who I am now.”
Standards shape daily behavior, not future hope. They do not depend on motivation. They depend on identity
The Power of Decision Over Readiness
One of the core ideas in Coxen’s message is simple but uncomfortable.
No one ever truly feels ready.
Readiness is not a moment in time. It is a mindset. Most procrastination is not caused by laziness. It is caused by fear. Fear of discomfort. Fear of failure. Fear of starting and stopping publicly
Fear Is Normal. Avoidance Is the Issue
Fear itself is not the enemy. Fear is a natural response designed to protect.
The problem is avoidance.
Coxen challenges agents to ask a different question. Instead of asking, “What if this does not work?” ask, “What if I let love lead instead of fear?”
Fear seeks safety.
Love seeks growth.
Love seeks expansion.
And growth is impossible without movement
Standards Create Identity, Not Pressure
Many agents treat real estate like a destination problem. Hit the number. Close the deal. Reach the milestone.
Coxen argues that this mindset makes careers brittle.
When agents reach the goal, satisfaction is short-lived. When they miss it, they label themselves as failures. The problem is not the market. It is the over-attachment to outcomes.
Standards remove that pressure.
When an agent sets standards for how they show up, how they serve clients, how they manage health and energy, performance becomes sustainable. Awareness replaces urgency. Choice replaces reaction
What This Means for Agents in a Changing Market
In a market that is cooling into balance, clarity matters more than ever.
Agents who operate from standards adapt faster. They do not chase every headline or panic at every shift. They observe, decide, and act with intention.
This applies to pricing strategy. Client communication. Personal health. Long-term career planning.
Success in real estate is not built by pushing harder for short bursts. It is built by maintaining alignment over time.
Coaching for Agents Who Want Clarity and Longevity
Join Magenta was built around this exact philosophy.
Agents who thrive at Magenta are not chasing quick wins. They are building careers grounded in clarity, identity, and sustainable growth.
For agents who want deeper support, Michael Coxen offers one-on-one coaching focused on mindset, decision-making, and long-term leadership.
This coaching is designed for agents who want to:
operate with clarity instead of urgency
build consistency without burnout
lead clients confidently through shifting markets
align success with health and personal values
Learn more about real estate coaching with Michael Coxen here:
👉 https://www.michaelcoxen.com/
Because real growth does not start in January.
It starts the moment an agent decides who they refuse not to be anymore.