Escape the 9-to-5 Grind: Build a Top 5% Brokerage & Live Your Best Life

You’re a driven real estate professional who’s passionate about helping clients achieve their homeownership dreams. But let’s be honest. The traditional brokerage model can be exhausting. With long hours, endless admin, and constant pressure to be “on”, you can burn out, feel like you don’t have success, and feel disconnected from your dreams.

What if there was a different way? What if you could build a top-performing brokerage while actually enjoying your journey?

Enter Ivan Brescic. Throughout his two decades in real estate, Ivan has coached and mentored countless top-performing agents in Sydney. With over 2,000 properties sold and 2,500 listed throughout his career, he is a high achiever with a winning attitude.

As a leading voice in Australian real estate, Ivan has spoken at the Australian Real Estate Conference (AREC) and on Radio 2GB. His new mission is to help other agents reach their full potential through Brescic Coaching.

Throughout this post, Ivan shares invaluable insights that are essential for aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as anyone aspiring for success.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Powerhouse

Ivan’s entry into the real estate world was unconventional. In the wake of his father’s debilitating accident, he was thrust into the role of primary breadwinner at a young age. As a result, he had to mature quickly and develop a strong work ethic. With minimal income, Ivan delved into Sydney’s competitive real estate market, learning from experienced mentors and honing his skills.

Due to this early exposure to adversity, he developed a deep sense of responsibility and a strong drive to succeed. Seeing the immense potential in the real estate market, he founded BrescicWhitney with a colleague in 2003. Although they had little business experience, their unwavering dedication and focus on providing excellent customer service propelled their brokerage to success.

As a small team of three, BrescicWhitney grew rapidly into a thriving company with nearly 150 employees in five offices. With top brokers earning annual commissions of $3 million to $10 million, they are among the top 5% of real estate agencies in the country.

Key Principles for Success

How did Ivan achieve this level of success? The following key principles are highlighted in his journey that are essential for success in entrepreneurship;

Early learning and mentorship. Having recognized the importance of guidance, Ivan actively sought out mentors who had experience in real estate. As a result of this early investment in learning, he had a strong foundation for success in the future.
The indispensable role of hard work. It takes unwavering dedication and perseverance to succeed in real estate, particularly in a competitive market like Sydney. For individuals aspiring to the top, long hours, continuous effort, and relentless pursuit of excellence are non-negotiable.

The power of collaboration. BrescicWhitney achieved significant growth and market dominance as a result of Ivan’s successful partnerships. To achieve ambitious goals, collaboration and leveraging others’ strengths are essential.

Redefining Success: Prioritizing Balance and Well-being

While Ivan achieved significant financial success, he also recognized the importance of prioritizing his well-being. Both physically and mentally, the real estate industry can be grueling. During his 40s, he reevaluated his priorities.

After selling his stake in BrescicWhitney, he relocated to the United States with his wife and began a coaching career. With this shift, he was able to align his work with his values and live a more fulfilling life.

Even though he loves creating wealth, Ivan also values living a balanced life. In order to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment, a balance must be achieved.

Building a Life of Freedom: Beyond Financial Success

Throughout his journey, Ivan has stressed the importance of designing a lifestyle aligned with his values and goals. In addition to financial accumulation, this includes overall well-being and a sense of purpose.

As a coach, Ivan used his expertise to guide other brokers on their journeys to success, while also gaining greater flexibility and control over his schedule. By aligning work with personal preferences and creating a sustainable work-life balance, this shift illustrates the importance of aligning work and life.

The Inseparable Link Between Health and Wealth

Health and wealth are closely related, according to Ivan. The question he eloquently poses: “If you had $20 million and were unfit and had $5 million and were fit and healthy, which would you choose?” The answer for him is crystal clear: putting health first.

As part of his holistic approach to well-being, he emphasizes;

• Physical fitness. For physical and mental strength, resistance training is vital.
• Balanced nutrition. To achieve long-term success, you need energy and vitality.
• Adequate rest and recovery. For optimal performance, it’s essential to prioritize sleep and integrate recovery practices such as saunas and massages.
• As well as improving his sleep quality, energy levels, and overall well-being, Ivan highlights the profound effects of eliminating alcohol from his life.

Creating a Sustainable Work-Life Balance

A sustainable work-life balance is the key to Ivan’s success as well as that of other successful entrepreneurs. The key is to set realistic boundaries, prioritize time for rest and rejuvenation, and make time for activities that bring joy and fulfillment outside of work.

To gain perspective and recharge, Ivan recommends working fewer hours, taking regular vacations, and stepping away from routine. According to him, sustainable success requires a holistic approach that prioritizes both professional and personal well-being.

Investing in Lifestyle and Legacy

Ivan emphasizes that investing in one’s lifestyle is equally important as investing in one’s finances. This philosophy is reflected in his choice of residence at a high point in Austin. In addition to investing, you are also maximizing your lifestyle, he says.

By using this perspective, you can create an environment that makes you feel good and supports your goals. When you make intentional choices about how you live, how you spend your time, and how you cultivate relationships, you can live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Lessons for Aspiring Investors

It is clear from Ivan’s journey that there are several valuable lessons for those seeking to build wealth and create a fulfilling life;

• Define your priorities. Determine what truly matters to you – whether it’s financial security, time freedom, or personal growth. Take these priorities into account when investing and making lifestyle decisions.
• Start small, think big. Wealth building is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your long-term vision in mind while keeping consistent progress and incremental steps in mind.
• Focus on passive income. Consider investing in real estate, earning dividends, or starting an online business to generate passive income. By generating passive income, you can provide financial security and free up your time to pursue other interests.
• Invest in your health. Put your body and mind first. In all areas of your life, your health is your most valuable asset.
• Embrace change and adaptability. As the world changes, you must remain adaptable and adjust your strategies as necessary. Don’t be afraid to try new things and learn from your mistakes.

Conclusion

Lifelong growth, courage, and perseverance are all necessary ingredients for a successful and fulfilling life. A journey like Ivan Brescic’s serves as a powerful reminder that extraordinary things can be achieved with dedication, discipline, and a focus on both professional and personal well-being. Your life can be both successful and fulfilling if you embrace these principles and make intentional choices throughout.

Featured Image Credit: Pavel Danilyuk; Pexels: Thank You!