Jack Gindi
Success isn’t about what you earn once – it’s about who you choose to become every day.
The Rookie Who Bet on His Future Self
When I walked into that real estate office as a rookie, they offered me a desk in the bullpen, a metal chair, buzzing fluorescents, and the rookie pen. But across the room, sunlight poured into the corner office. Leather chair, real desk, a view that belonged to someone who had already made it.
“I want that one,” I told the broker.
He smirked. “That’s two grand a month. You don’t even have a client.”
He wasn’t wrong. I had no sales, no track record, and no reason to think I could afford it. But I wasn’t betting on who I was that day. I was betting on my future self. And in that moment, I stepped into the business of becoming a Top Producer.
The Business of Building Dreams
I didn’t have a business plan or fancy credentials. In fact, I hadn’t finished my GED. But I did have a young family to support, and sheer determination. That expensive office was more than rent – it was a daily reminder to show up like the person I wanted to become.
Every interaction became a classroom. Every mistake became tuition. Every small win proved I was moving in the right direction. Some people wait until they feel ready. I started where I was and built as I went.
The Formula That Built My Life
Over the next several decades, I discovered what I now call the Business Pillar. It wasn’t about chasing money. It was about shaping the kind of person who could create lasting value.
Economics, I realized, isn’t just about a bank account. It’s how you manage all your resources – time, energy, attention, and yes, money. That corner office was an investment in me. Every dollar of rent was building confidence for my future self. Every late night studying instead of watching television was another vote. Every choice became a down payment on the person I was becoming.
Education became the other half of the formula. Real education is curiosity in motion. Reading, asking better questions, and paying attention to people who were doing it well. And most of all, sharing what you learn. Teaching isn’t about showing off; it’s about how you cement lessons inside yourself while lifting others with you.
Looking back, growth was my oxygen. I didn’t wait for perfect conditions; I built from where I was. Each passion stacked on another until purpose began to take form. My life itself became the lesson, and I let people see me learning in real time, the struggles, the failures, the messy middle.
That’s the formula I still live by today: learn something, share something, and in the process, become someone, every single day.
The Confirmation
Shortly after committing to that corner office, I closed my first big deal! By the end of the year, I had become the top producer. Every time I reached another milestone, I celebrated. But the next morning, I was back on the phones because I knew the win wasn’t the destination. Each win was knowing that betting on my future self is always the right bet. Success is a moment. The business of growth is a lifestyle.
Your Corner Office Moment
At 69, I’m still learning, teaching, and growing. The same principles that got me from cubicle to corner office now serve a deeper purpose. After losing my son Shaun, I found his journal filled with dreams of helping kids transform their lives. His words became my mission. Today, through the I Believe in Me Foundation, we help families build resilience. I share tools I’ve learned through decades of living so parents and kids can learn to bet on their future selves, even in their darkest moments.
The business of life is a commitment to discovery, resilience, and the uncovering of your gifts. Your “corner office” moment might be a tough call. Saying yes when you’d rather play it safe. Investing in growth when comfort feels easier. Showing up as the person you want to become, before you feel ready. Every choice is a vote for your future self.
Because in the end, the real business you’re building isn’t your job, your company, or your bank account. It’s you. And that business is always hiring. Jack Gindi is a mentor, writer, and family coach. Drawing from 50 years of entrepreneurship and personal growth, he guides individuals and families in building strong, resilient lives. Reach him at jack@ibelieveinmefoundation.com.