Ever Wondered Why Some People Just Keep Winning? Let’s Dive Into the Mind of Real Estate Guru Ryan Serhant

Alright, let me start with this: ever caught yourself wondering why some people just won’t stop winning? I know, it’s like ugh, can’t relate. But here’s something wild – I just stumbled upon a transcript of Ryan Serhant chatting on The School of Greatness podcast, and let me tell you, this guy didn’t just drop real estate gems, he unloaded freakin’ life hacks! For those of you who may not know, Ryan Serhant is that tall, smiley dude from Million Dollar Listing who somehow makes selling million-dollar penthouses in Manhattan look as easy as deciding what to order for lunch (though, let’s face it, even choosing between a sandwich and a salad can feel herculean sometimes). And while he’s been on TV, written books, and launched his own real estate empire, his journey proves that not everything has been rainbows and commissions. The guy has put in WORK.

Wake Up Call: It’s Not About Being Important – It’s About Being Happy

So let’s kick off with this bombshell Ryan dropped during the podcast – he said there was this moment where he realized he’d spent the last 20 years trying to feel important, but what he really wanted was to feel happy. I mean, relatable, right? We’ve ALL been there, grinding away at that 9-to-5, posting on social media, thirsting for validation with every like and emoji reaction. Yet, at the end of it all, sometimes we’re left asking ourselves, “But wait… am I happy?” And Ryan, at the top of his game, had that exact lightbulb moment at 40. You can’t be important to everyone and still feel empty when it comes to yourself. I’m not saying quit your job and go “Eat, Pray, Love” on us, but sometimes, we all need that reminder to check in with ourselves. What’s the point of doing all this work – collecting accolades and paycheck after paycheck – if we aren’t enjoying the ride?

The Fear of Being Embarrassed > The Fear of Failing

One of the hardest-hitting truths Ryan shared in the transcript was this: “People aren’t afraid of being failures, they’re afraid of being embarrassed.” Let that sink in for a second. Embarrassment – that stomach-dropping, face-flushing moment when something doesn’t go as planned and you KNOW people are watching. Yikes. It’s like, who doesn’t have that voice in the back of their mind saying, “But what if I look dumb?” Ryan went on to say how important it is to make mistakes. He spent a year and hundreds of thousands of dollars creating apps and virtual platforms that NO ONE used. Like, crickets. And though those projects flopped, they weren’t just mistakes; they were stepping stones. He learned, adapted, and ended up launching something that actually worked – his software, Simple, which streamlines tedious tasks for real estate agents. Heck, he’s now got a 97% usage rate. Try topping that. So next time you’re holding back because you’re worried what your colleague Karen or your judgmental cousin might think if you fail, just remember this: even Ryan Serhant spent boatloads of time and cash on ideas people ignored. If he can bounce back, so can you.

100x Your Mindset – Like a Billionaire Does!

Okay, let’s be real for a sec. Anyone else here just hoping for 2x results on anything in their life? Lose weight twice as fast? Double my annual salary? Have two good hair days in a row? Meanwhile, Ryan’s hanging out with billionaires who’ve completely flipped the script. These movers and shakers aren’t thinking in small, gradual growth. These folks are striving for 100x, baby. Why take small swings when you can knock it out the park? Ryan is surrounded by people who are asking themselves big questions like, “How can I take this idea and scale it to 100x?” and “How do I turn every person I meet into a future collaborator?” I mean, I don’t know about you, but my brain Googles “how to scale anything to 100x” and starts buffering right away. But think about it – it’s powerful. Millionaires think about money, billionaires think about time. They streamline, they delegate, they make decisions fast. Ryan even pointed out how these people barely glance at menus in restaurants – they just tell the server, “Surprise me,” so they can focus on way more important matters. And honestly, that sounds like a life hack in itself – less time spent agonizing over choices, more time living life.

What We Can Learn from Ryan: Embrace the Hustle—but with Purpose

Ryan has this undefinable, burning passion for sales – a profession that unlocked his potential. But when talking about success, he’s quick to elaborate that you have to figure out what YOU’RE actually passionate about. Is it the work or the results? He used to think he loved the grind of closing deals, but realized he was more about the satisfaction and freedom those results provided. Someone once said that the best opportunities will knock on both sides of the door (or maybe I just made that up?), and Ryan is the epitome of this. Through trials, flops, and massive wins, his journey screams: don’t be afraid to screw up. In fact, welcome it. Heck, invite failure over for coffee. Just learn from it. He’s built his empire not by playing it safe, but by consistently trying and retrying until something worked. He even says, “You work so hard you make luck easy to find.” Which is probably one of the greatest pieces of advice anyone hustling out there could hear. Make it so success doesn’t have a choice but to knock at your door… persistently.

Closing Thoughts: What Can We Take Away?

If there’s anything you take away from Ryan Serhant’s entrepreneurial journey, it’s this: risk it. Show up. Keep showing up. You don’t have to know the whole roadmap. Hell, you don’t even need GPS. Just keep driving toward something that excites you. And hey, maybe all those serial reaction videos lighting up your feed right now have something in common with Ryan’s take on vital life lessons: experiment, create, fail fast, and always aim for a bigger horizon. And who knows? Maybe Netflix will come knocking at your door too.

So What Do You Think? What’s YOUR Key Takeaway?

Have you had an “aha” moment like Ryan’s—where you realized it’s time to chase happiness over importance? Or maybe you’ve made some epic mistakes that led to something better? Hit that comment section below and let’s talk!

More Articles

Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

AI, Trust, and the Future of Real Estate: Key Insights from eXp’s Global Perspective

The debut episode of NAR’s Change Agents podcast highlights why real estate expertise is more valuable than ever in an AI-driven world. eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja explains that while technology accelerates communication and connections, consumers still rely on seasoned professionals to guide them through life’s biggest financial decisions. From the Everest analogy to real-world AI success stories, the conversation reveals how trust, transparency, and expert guidance remain the core of the real estate experience.

Mortgage Rates Drop Below 6% for the First Time Since 2022

U.S. 30‑year mortgage rates have dipped to 5.98%, breaking below 6% for the first time since 2022. This third consecutive weekly decline signals a potentially energized spring buying season as lower Treasury yields and easing market anxiety push rates down. Buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals may see renewed activity as affordability slightly improves and refinancing picks up momentum.

FinCEN’s New Rule Shakes Up Residential Real Estate Transparency

A sweeping federal reporting requirement is about to impact how companies, trusts, investors, and even cash buyers purchase residential real estate. FinCEN’s new rule closes long‑standing loopholes that allowed anonymous all‑cash property deals, requiring many entity-based buyers to disclose their true beneficial owners. Real estate agents, brokers, and advisors should brace for workflow changes and increased compliance responsibilities, while investors are urged to review their acquisition structures now to avoid delays once the rule takes effect.

How the Iran Crisis Is Driving Mortgage Rates Back Up and Disrupting Spring Housing Momentum

After briefly dipping below 6 percent for the first time in years, mortgage rates have surged again following U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran. Rising oil prices and a jump in Treasury yields have pushed the average 30-year fixed rate back to 6.12 percent, creating fresh uncertainty just as the spring housing market was gaining traction. Experts warn that continued geopolitical instability could keep rates elevated, while upcoming U.S. employment data may determine whether relief is on the horizon for buyers and sellers.

Life Insurance Costs in 2026: What Every Professional Should Know

New 2026 data reveals that the average life insurance policy costs just 26 dollars a month—less than most lunch outings—making it more affordable than many professionals expect. Rates vary based on age, health, gender, smoking habits, and term length, with younger and healthier applicants paying significantly less. As real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance professionals plan long-term financial stability, understanding these pricing factors is crucial.