1. You will always have to defend your credibility.
There is this constant judgment from "old-timers" who seem to have a crusty chip on their shoulder. It prohibits them from believing it is possible for you to learn and to know.

2. You will have to conform ... just enough, anyway.
In real estate, the initial perception is critical and looking the part is important. This means I spend a lot of money on clothes, which means I have to wear them. I also speak like an adult. I don't say "awesome" or "gnarly" because my clients would never relate to words like that.

3. You will have to have stamina.
Clients don't care what time it is. They assume that because I am young, that I enjoy answering my phone at 9 pm on a Wednesday. Setting boundaries can be difficult.

4. You will have to sacrifice spontaneity for accountability.
Unfortunately, my ability to jump on a plane and leave the country for 10 days is not as reasonable since I run my own business. Clients have expectations, and my reputation depends on my meeting those expectations. Being young and successful means I have to be both accountable and reliable. These are two great qualities, but not what every 25-year-old wants to maintain.

5. You will have to learn that life requires balance.
Success at such a young age creates a challenge to keep balance. This is a mantra I try to always practice: "Learning to take a break and not burn out actually increases my ability to work." When I have a balanced social/emotional/physical/financial life, as well as clear and fair boundaries, I feel better about myself -- therefore making my peers and clients respect me more.

< Madison Hildebrand's Guide to Success by 25