Billionaire Warren Buffett has lived in the same house and driven the same car for years. He has also banked on these five practical life lessons:

5. Communication skills are key

Buffet is often quoted as saying communication skills are they key to success. He himself overcame his fear of public speaking by taking a public speaking course. Communication skills include not only mastery of talking but also the art of listening. What is your client saying to you?

4. Be intentional with your time and energy

It's very easy to fritter away the day: scroll through your feed; surf the web; chat with colleagues. Mind you, all of these activities are just fine. Just as long as they happen around deep work - time you are fully focussed on work that matters.

3. Do what you love

I have been a real estate broker for twenty years. Every now and then, someone tells me that they are considering real estate as a career. I always respond by saying do what you love. Granted, one may not know if they love something until they do it. That's fine. If you don't love what you do, move on. As you are going to spend a significant percentage of your adult life working, it's best to do what you love.

2. Consistency is the key to success

I am posting on Instagram daily and on this blog daily. On our team's website - CambridgeRealEstate.com - I am posting weekly. I connect with buyer and seller clients on a regular schedule. I review active listings on the market several times each day. Consistency builds habits that lead to success.

1. Delight your customer/client.

Someone asks me as a Realtor if 123 Main Street is having an open house on Sunday. Answer: "Yes, it's open on Sunday from 12 to 2. It has been on the market now for three weeks. Average days to offer in our marketplace is fourteen days. The listing agent tells me the seller is considering a price adjustment. No offers received to date. I attended a broker open house at this address last week and in my view the property is priced high. The house gets good light (southwestern exposure on back, where kitchen and family room are located). Ceiling height on the bedroom level is lower." Delighting your client is about delivering value to them.