Callaghan O’Connor is a real estate agent based out of Victoria, British Columbia. From an early age, he excelled in sports generally, but found the most success in hockey and rugby. Upon graduating from high school, he was scouted to play hockey, spending some time in the British Columbia Hockey League and Western Hockey League, respectively. Although at this point in his life playing some level of pro hockey for a living seemed like a plausible prospect, Callaghan did not want to count on it, and so earned a degree in sports management and business, as well. During his time in university, he also ran several businesses.
Leaving his career as a hockey player to the side, Callaghan O’Connor remained in the sport by interning as a media relations officer for the Vancouver Canucks before changing sports and filling the same role for the BC Lions football team. As time passed, Callaghan found himself drawn to the real estate sector, and decided to change professions to follow that inclination.
For the first five years of his new career, he focussed on commercial real estate in Vancouver. Then, after moving back to his hometown of Victoria, he incorporated his longtime passion for interior and landscape design by shifting his concentration to residential properties. Ultimately, Callaghan O’Connor built a highly-successful luxury real estate business in only a few short years, and he continues to add to it to this day. He plans on staying in Victoria, a city that he loves, for the foreseeable future.
How have you achieved success?
I think my background in sports primed me to achieve success. Sports teaches you a lot of things, including the importance of commitment and grit, the value of good teammates, and how to win with honour and lose with grace. But, most relevant to your question, it also teaches you what it takes to achieve victory—hard work, sacrifice, drive, and vision. I use all four of those elements every day in my professional career, and I believe they play a huge part in my success.
How has your definition of success changed over the years?
Having the freedom to pursue things that interest my family as a whole. Success is being with the people I want to be with in a setting that pleases me. Past that, my new definition of success is also rooted in security, in not worrying about the future, and in knowing that I’m in good shape no matter what life throws at me.
What obstacles have you overcome in the process?
The biggest obstacle I have overcome in my career so far has been wrestling with what I actually want to do with my life. When I was younger, I thought I was going to be a professional athlete. As I alluded to in my last answer, my mindset was somewhat different back then: I thought I was indestructible and going to stay young forever. Luckily, I had my head on straight enough to realize I should also get an education. So, when being a professional hockey player didn’t pan out the way I thought it would, I was able to remain in the realm of pro sports with my business management degree. It took a little while for me to realize that wasn’t what I wanted to do forever, though. So, when I finally understood that real estate was my true calling, I almost had to start from scratch. That was a pretty big obstacle.
What drives you to succeed?
I have an innate character trait which, for better or for worse, compels me to do my best to succeed or to win at everything I try. I guess it’s what you might call a competitive streak. I can quell it when it comes to trivial matters, such as a game night with my friends. Even though it’s still present inside me during a round of charades or Scattergories, I can tamp it down and just have a good time. However, when it comes to business matters or playing sports, it shines through, and I won’t stop trying until I have achieved whatever objective that I’ve set for myself. Anyhow, I believe that competitive streak is responsible for my persistence in real estate, and as such, has served me well over the years.
Do you have advice for others on how to be successful?
The best advice I could possibly give anyone is to identify all the small things that contribute to your happiness, health, and wealth, and make sure you do them consistently. There is a phrase that I like: “How you spend your day is how you spend your life.” For my part, that involves exercise, sleep, and eating well, among other things. Make sure to do the things that are most important to you and you’ll find contentment.
My second piece of advice is that you need to get out of your comfort zone once in a while. Playing it safe is wise in many circumstances, but it can be detrimental if that’s all you do. Fine tune your mind to recognize situations where taking a calculated risk might pay off, and then take it. It won’t always work out, but when it does, it can be a total game-changer.
Follow Callaghan O’Connor on social media:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Callaghan-OConnor-100619549123311
Crunchbase – https://www.crunchbase.com/person/callaghan-o-connor-5b9f
Medium – https://medium.com/@callaghanoconnor
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv3f4E_Shl4yVtEh0jf0c_w/about