The Agent.

THE AGENT

America’s Favorite Realtor

This is Filipa. I was born and raised in Carragoso, Portugal. I moved to NYC, by myself, to pursue my dream of becoming a Movie Star.

Well, no one told me it was going to be difficult.

I ended up broke, divorced and alone. IN ROCHESTER. With a real estate license in tow. It was a moment of despair: How many times had I stated with confidence things like: “I would never be a realtor” or “I would never move to Rochester.”

Never say Never.

Fret not, like Don Quixote de La Mancha, I decided I would live the impossible dream: I would create my own real estate character, write my own script and produce my own show.

First Season of “The Agent” coming out very soon…

The Dream is always the same…

I was five, six or seven. Maybe 10 or even 11.

Most of my childhood was spent dreaming. VHS tapes would play on repeat and the TV was always on. When I wasn’t busy watching, I would be busy building. Drawing my Movie Star outfits. Rehearsing my lines, polishing my english and even adopting new names. I would obsess over how people would pronounce my name. Everything must be perfect.

Crafting every moment of my future in my mind, I left very little to chance.

In my fantasy, I would imagine myself like a real life Action Doll. One day serving at a diner, the next holding a power position in an office overlooking the tall buildings. Outfits changing like a scene in a movie.

TODAY’S WORKSPACE

Live from Rochester, NY

When I sat down to write my newsletters, I don’t always know the direction they will take. That has been the most amazing surprise to me throughout this journey. Who you are never leaves you. You merely find it over and over again in people, places and circumstances. To be open to all those same dreams and fantasies that used to visit me as a child. except more vividly. More intensely. I used to live in fear of not having anything to say. Of being paralyzed on a stage, rigid on the dance floor or utterly boring on a keyboard.

Now, it’s just a regular Wednesday.

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On Creating Regina and building a body of work

Every single action you take is a sentence in the story of your Life. There are no superfluous movements. It’s difficult to build a body of work without being anxious and embarrassed to share. But work that is revealed and shared increases it’s likelihood of survival. Cells and atoms change direction and form when observed, and so does our work. You’re looking for progress in all areas of your life and you must share and record. Plant flags of all your moments, especially the difficult ones.

The Work is the Journey. Not a single, tangible piece of art or content or sale.

Being a Real Estate Artist has been an interesting experiment, since I completely made it up. I decided I didn’t want to compromise and if I was to keep being a realtor, I had to do it my way.

Everything I have ever done in life, has been made from scratch. Any connections, adventures, stories, art, friends, money, readers, followers. All you need to life the life of your dreams is to Dream and be crazy enough to believe in them.

Faith is Non-Negotiable.

Regina is the main character on the show “The Agent”. A fictional, alter-ego that does everything the opposite from Filipa and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to talk about her and learn more about her everyday. In a way, she is everything I lack courage to be.

Developing characters like Regina, Madam Lipa or fan favorite Dr. Fil has been therapeutic, purposeful and fun. No one said being a Real Estate Agent had to be boring to be fruitful.

But I have also created my own goal setting system “The Dream. Catcher”, developed a Dream-Pipeline, created a real estate magazine, birthed a Universal SmartPlan, and so much more!

Life is Work.

Advice to someone who is thinking of a career in Real Estate.

“Dream Big, Start Small. Life will give you exactly what you believe is possible for you. You can create any business in any way. Don’t quit your day job to go full-time overnight. Creating relationships, designing your dream life and building trust takes time. Test out what works for you before fully committing to any idea. You are the Business. Think of others first, for extremely selfish reasons. There is no one way to do this. Take advice but follow your intuition. Real Estate changed my life in ways I could not have predicted. Invest in people and books. Be clear about your priorities. Do the right thing, even if it takes you longer. Play the long game, for all eternity.

God is Real, so act like He is watching.

If you are constantly stressed about money, you won’t enjoy this job. Network with purpose. Forget work-life balance. Pick 2/3 things you’re good at and go all in. There are no hacks for Focus or Productivity. It’s about habits and repetition. Rehearse the things you want to experience. Don’t chase, prepare. If you want success, think Success. Choose your friends. Don’t let them choose you.

TRAVEL STAPLES

Filipa’s Favorite Finds for Life as a Real Estate Artist

▶ Favorite Real Estate Book: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

▶ Favorite Real Estate Newsletter: The Outsider

▶ Movies on repeat: She-Devil with Meryl Streep

▶ Current read: The Principia by Sir Isaac Newton

▶ Must-have gear for Success: Pen & Paper

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