I spoke with a friend recently who was venting about his job and contemplating a company or career change. He had experienced a great deal of success in sales over the past few years at his firm, but he felt as though he was at a standstill with continued growth. Business for him had started to slow down over the past few months. More distressing was that many of the deals he was working on over the year was unraveling or getting canceled altogether.
He then mentioned the old Jewish adage of “Mishana Makom, Mishana Mazal.” This sage advice is translated to mean, when someone moves (changes their place), their luck changes for the better. We spoke for a while longer, then I asked if I could relate my own interpretation of the saying. I wondered, is it possible that when the sages suggested “moving,” it might have been referring to “taking action.” I asked if he had been doing everything possible at his current position to evoke more successful outcomes than he was presently achieving.
My interpretation and analysis of the situation caught him by surprise, and he did admit that he had become more passive and complacent over the past year. Between the disruption of COVID and the transformation of how his business had changed over the past twelve months, he realized that he wasn’t making the best efforts to ensure the proper levels of success and growth that he could have been taking.
Conversations like that are not uncommon in my life. While the decision to buy a home is a simple “yes” or “no” decision – discussions with aspiring homeowners who are looking to physically “move” are unique in so many ways. My dialogue with current homeowners who are hesitant to make a move with their home financing is layered with a myriad of hesitation and doubts that need personalized solutions. My recent recruiting efforts, which are trying to get quality employees to move over to our company, are full of unique circumstances that need attentiveness and personalization.
More than anything else, in all of my conversations, I try to put myself in the other person’s shoes and truly get perspective of their thought process. Making a move requires effort, and more often than not, it’s simply easier to remain stationary. Most people don’t want to get out of their “comfort zone,” especially related to a financial change or other levels of uncertainty. I wish a simple answer could address and dispel these concerns, but there isn’t.
The one thing that I have learned over the years is not to be frozen with fear of the unknown. Usually, an action taken in any direction – even if it turns out to be the wrong first step – is better than not moving at all. Placing an offer to buy a home does not mean you are purchasing the house tomorrow. Getting a consultation about a refinance doesn’t mean you will be faced with complicated jargon and a mountain of paperwork. Going on a new job interview does not mean you have to accept a job you are not excited about.
My biggest advice to anyone looking to “make a move” is to have candid conversations with trustworthy people who have your best interests at heart. Once you gather information, it’s critical to take steps – as small as they may be – to move in the direction of your desired outcome. Good luck with your next move!
Shout out and Happy Birthday to Rebecca Abergel, Jason Blumenstein, Osnat Glassman, Ruby Kaplan, Nechama Konigsberg, Jacqui Moskowitz, Jessie Reich, Jonathan Schloss, Allan Schwartz, Marc Stein, Claire Strauss, and Neal Wigod
Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is President and Chief Lending Officer at Approved Funding, a privately held local mortgage banker and direct lender. Approved Funding is a mortgage company offering competitive interest rates as well as specialty niche programs on all types of Residential and Commercial properties. Shmuel has over 20 years of industry experience, including licenses and certifications as a certified mortgage underwriter, residential review appraiser, licensed real estate agent, and direct FHA specialized underwriter. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
