Smart Words: “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” – Healey’s First Law Of Holes

Smart Tactics:

Should you quit selling real estate in 2026?

That’s the question.

I’m going to give you a simple 4-question logic process I use on myself…

…and then two strategies I use to make a decision and move forward powerfully.

Before we get into it…

Full disclosure: I struggle with this too.

Too many gurus and coaches pretend they’re bulletproof.

Like they have unwavering conviction. Like they’ve got life all figured out.

If they do…good for them.

I don’t.

At least 2–3 times per week I think:

• Who am I to be doing this?
• Should I even keep going?
• Is this actually valuable?

I get stuck on being the best.

Or the only.

Or the most successful.

And when I’m not…

I start doubting everything.

So if you’ve ever felt that way…

Welcome to the party. You’re not the only one.

Now let’s talk about getting yourself out of that hole.

Because let’s be honest…It’s usually our own thinking that puts us there.

So I work on thinking my way back out.

Like stacking stones to climb out of the hole I just dug.

Quick note before we go further:

Mental health is no joke.

I’ve done years of therapy and personal development work.

If you’re dealing with serious thoughts of harming yourself or others—stop reading this and go get professional help right now.

I’m not a mental health professional.

I’m just sharing what’s helped me deal with normal, everyday self-doubt.

Healy’s First Law of Holes:

If you find yourself in a hole…stop digging.

The 4 Questions I Use to Get Clarity

When I’m in my own head, here’s how I logic myself back out:

• Do people say I help them? Have they benefited from what I do? → Yes. Check.
• Do I like helping people? → Yes. Check.
• If I wasn’t getting paid, and someone asked for help…would I still help them? → Yes. Check.
• Are there people out there who need help with what I’m good at? → Yes. Check.

Result:

Alright then…

• I’m going to focus on those people.
• I’m going to get better at finding MORE of them.
• And I’m going to stay in front of them LONGER.

That’s it.

Strategy #1: Identify Your Bad Thought Patterns

Here are mine:

1. Trying to “guarantee the win” before I do the work

I get stuck asking:

Will this actually work?

Will I make the money I want?

Is this worth it?

Logically, I know—if I do the work, it works.

But I still want a guarantee first.

And here’s the kicker…

How many times have you said:

“Once I hit THIS goal…life will be amazing.”

Then you hit it…

Feels great for a minute…

…and then you want the next thing.

So I remind myself:

The journey is the goal. Not the destination.

2. All-or-nothing thinking

I see someone doing better than me and think:

“Well…if I can’t be the best…why even try?”

That’s ridiculous.

I don’t need ALL the clients.

I just need enough to hit MY goals.

That pulls me back to reality.

Strategy #2: Pick Your Quitting Day (It’s Just Not Today)

This is the one that helps me the most.

When I feel stuck and can’t decide what to do…

I don’t make the decision.

I pick a day in the future when I WILL decide.

My therapist in college taught me this.

I was constantly questioning my major (industrial design at the time).

Instead of spiraling every day…

I picked a “quitting day.”

Until that day came…

I was all in.

No questioning. No debating. No mental back-and-forth.

Just work.

And guess what…

By the time the day came, I usually didn’t even want to quit anymore.

So here’s your move:

Pick your quitting day.

Just don’t let it be today.

And in the meantime…

Focus on the people you can help.

Get better at finding them.

Stay in front of them longer.

And one more thing…

If this hit home for you, forward this email to another agent who needs it.

(And if you don’t want to call them out…just ask them for their opinion on it…but delete this sentence.)

 

To your success,

– Dale