Katie Gorton

I've been blessed with two mentors.

Above all, my academic advisor in college was spectacular. She pushed me and nurtured my love of writing. She challenged my thinking and forced me to realize that 100% is never enough. She taught one particular class that was mandatory, a desktop publishing class. She knew I was a writer at heart, but she saw the value in learning publishing software. I admit, I fought her on it - But she was right. I found out that I have a talent for layout and design and I actually love to do it! I've used desktop publishing in each professional role I've had since college.

Mentor number two is the president of Realty One. The first day I interviewed with her, I was terrified. She was very put together and stylish and had a fantastic view from her office. I had done some research on her career and knew that she was someone I very much wanted to emulate. She networked with important people and is well respected - I was terrified. Upon leaving the interview, she asked if there was anything else I wanted to say, anything at all. I thought about it for a minute and realized that I really wanted that job. Really, really, really wanted it. So I told her. Four "really"s and all. I got the job. I knew in that moment that the reason I wanted that job so badly was because I wanted to learn from the best - her. She had two valuable nuggets of wisdon that she regularly dispelled. The first was "Be where you are when you are there." That was something as a young professional that I had struggled with but hearing her say it clarified it in my mind. I needed to focus on work at work, and home at home. To let either enter into the other's time would cause one to suffer. It was a valuable lesson and it has become my mantra. Her other saying was "Have a weekend." In real estate, weekends are the busiest time for agents, so it was important to her that her agents worked hard, but made time for themselves and their families by actually HAVING a weekend....