Timeless Movement
Mindset and lifestyle podcast with luxury woven in, where we deep dive into craftsmanship, design, and mindset.
Timeless Movement
Make Your Own Breaks
Some chances change your life. Others just change your calendar. Alexander Laszlo dives into the real difference and shows how to create, sort, and scale opportunities without losing your focus or your energy.
We start with the basics of making your own breaks: proactive outreach to brokerages, earning a real estate school scholarship, and using small wins to build momentum. From there, Alex shares how coffee chats and Instagram DMs led to real relationships with luxury agents, revealing what actually works on the ground. The throughline is simple: go where people already want to talk, ask better questions, and treat every conversation like a seed that can grow later.
Then we get honest about decision‑making. Not every shiny invite deserves a yes. Alex walks through the “yes, no, or yes with time” filter, including a pivotal moment at a watch fair when he nearly pursued watchmaking school with near‑certain job prospects. The logic that kept him in real estate applies to any field: ask whether an opportunity compounds your current path for the next ten years, or whether it’s just a thrilling detour. Strategy beats impulse, and focus creates leverage.
We dig into practical tactics too. Cold calls and door knocking didn’t fit Alex’s strengths, so he doubled down on open houses and events where conversations feel natural. He shares how to move from small talk to trust at a golf course or a comic shop, and why you should choose clients you genuinely connect with. If a connection drains you or clashes with your values, a clean no protects your best future yes. Over time, that clarity turns casual chats into loyal clients and steady referrals.
If this conversation sparked an idea or gave you a push to make your next move, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review telling us your next yes—or your next no.
Welcome back to the Timeless Movement podcast. I'm your host, Alexander Laszlo, and today we will be talking about opportunities, how to take them, how to make them, and how to decide if the opportunity is for you. So let's start out with talking about how to make the opportunities so that you can grow. I talked about it a little bit in my past episodes. I forget which one I talked about it in. I think it was two episodes ago. But I talked about how when I first knew I wanted to get into real estate, I was calling brokerages and trying to find a way to kind of get a head start and to get learning and be an assistant, which didn't ultimately didn't work out that way. But I got a scholarship to get my classes for free, which again, it's real estate school is only like 800 bucks for the whole thing. And then you take the test, and if you pass that, you get licensed with a brokerage. So it's not like a crazy amount of money like a college scholarship, but it still saves you$800. And I wouldn't have had that opportunity if I didn't, if I was just sitting around all day and not really working towards something that I wanted and something that I said, okay, I'm gonna do this, so let's do it. And so I made that opportunity for myself and was able to get classes for free, ended up joining that brokerage, and it's been a blast. I love real estate, I love doing it all, yeah, really fun. But that just shows you you have to work for those opportunities because no one's just gonna hand you opportunities off the street if you're just sitting around doing nothing. You have to go out, you have to make them, you have to say, okay, this is what I want. I'm gonna make this plan and I'm gonna go for it, and I'm gonna make those opportunities. You know, other opportunities you may say, oh, it's just it's not really an opportunity, but I would say they're opportunities, they're just meeting people. I've been fortunate enough to meet, I mean, like 50 or 60 people now within these last six months that I've been doing real estate, so 10 a month, which isn't a lot, but it's been great connecting with them, it's been great building those relationships and learning from them, especially with other luxury realtors like Johnny De Brito or Delroy Gill, where they're where I want to be. They're in the position where I want to get to. And so it's just really helpful to learn what did you do, what helped you, what might help me, what help might help me kind of get there in almost a better way and not have to make so many mistakes. Yeah, it's just reaching out and talking to people is how I've met all these people. It just I reached out on Instagram, or they all reach out to me after seeing you know some of my videos that I put out, and I'll just be like, Yeah, let's do it. Let's meet, grab some coffee or whatever. Yeah, it's been really great. I really enjoy it. Yeah, it's just you have to get out there, you have to go explore, go experiment. And next I want to talk about how to take those opportunities and how to just say yes. So, like how to take the opportunities and how to decide kind of if it's for you or if it's not for you, because not all opportunities are gonna be for you or work out. For example, I had I was invited to Bentley at Denver's grand opening. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go. I really wanted to, but I just wasn't able to. You know, I had that opportunity and I just it didn't work out that way, and that's okay. Sometimes things just don't work out, and you have to get past it, and you know, it would have been fun to go, but you know, no harm, no foul, right? But yeah, just when those opportunities come to you, you have to be able to decide, hey, will this help me in the long run, or is this just kind of a distraction? For another example, I was at a watch fair and I was talking to this guy at Braymont Watches, and we probably ended up talking for about an hour. Just watches, just whatever, you know, watches, family, life, business, we talked about all of it. And we got into a part of the conversation where I was like, Yeah, I think it'd be fun to, you know, work on watches and modify them and build them and just have that fun with the technical and mechanical side of a watch. I think that'd be really cool. And he said, Would you want to go to watch school and get and become a watchmaker? You know, and he's like, Yeah, about a hundred percent of all graduates of a watch school get a job. And it was, I think it was Patek Philippe's watch school that he was talking about. And you know, in the moment I was like, that could be really cool. I was just thinking of this in my head. I was like, that could be really cool, but would I want to do it? Like, would I want that to be my career? Would I want that to be what I did for 10 plus years of my life? And ultimately I decided no. So I was like, yeah, probably not. I'm in real estate, committed to that. I want to see where that takes me. And watches are more of a hobby kind of thing, not really what I want my career 10 plus years of my life to be. And so ultimately I was like, no, that opportunity isn't for me. And you just have to be able to decide yes or no. There's not really a maybe. Like, I mean, there kind of could be like maybe I'll do it in a year, like if it's for the real estate school that I was talking about, maybe I did it for like, you know, I did it in a year or two years or six months, and I was like, yeah, really would appreciate that. How about I give you a call back in six months, and we get the scholarship off from there because I'm not really trying to do real estate right the second, but I want to do it in six months. That could kind of be a maybe, but I don't really think there is a maybe two opportunities. I think it's a yes or a yes with time, like yes, I want to do it in like six months or a year, so you just give me some time, or it's just a no. And that's okay. You you know, just because you have the opportunity to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. It just means that you have the opportunity to say yes or no to do that certain thing. And I think you really just have to be able to kind of sort those out in in the moment and just be like, would this be good for me in the long run? Or is this would this just be a distraction and I wouldn't really be that happy doing this? Whatever it may be. You just kind of have to think about it logically and not just be like, oh, I got an opportunity to be a watchmaker. That'd be so cool. Let me go do that. Let me abandon real estate and go do that. Like, that's more of an emotional because I really like I love watches and it's you know, passion. I'm very passionate about watches, a big hobby of mine. But ultimately, that's not a very logical decision to just jump ship from real estate to watchmaking because I want to do real estate. I am in it for real estate, so that's what I'm gonna go do and succeed in. And uh I think that's very important is being able to decide and kind of figure out what opportunities you take and what opportunities you don't take. I've been very fortunate to be able to take a lot of the opportunities that I've been given and have made, and I haven't really had to say no to a whole lot of them, and I haven't been, I haven't really had to miss out on a whole lot of them. And it's been really, really a blessing, really. For like this podcast, I was really fortunate enough to be able to move offices and have a podcast room in that office, and just be able to start that and grow some relationships there and grow a podcast where I might be helping people. That's kind of an example of there's an opportunity there for me, and I also made that opportunity. You know, we moved offices and there was a podcast room, that opportunity arose, and I said, okay, let me start a podcast and let me invite people that I've really only DM'd on Instagram a couple of times so that I can grow a connection there and build on that. And that's kind of how I took that opportunity and made it into something of my own. And it's the same in any business, any business field you may be in. You aren't always gonna opportunities aren't always gonna arise when you want them to, you're gonna have to go out and you're gonna have to make those opportunities. And I always my family was talking about this the other day, just you know, working hard to be successful, you know, that that kind of whole conversation narrative piece. And just in the back of my head, I was like, yeah, it's true, but also it's about making opportunities, you know, hard work plus opportunities, in my opinion, equal success. Because if you're just working hard and always working, you know, you might opportunities might always might not always arise in the way you may want them to, or the way you may are maybe working to, but if you are able to go out and to make those opportunities that you want and to make them work for you and be able to grow, use those opportunities to grow, I think that really sets you up and sets you apart from just working hard in your craft to just being able to make those opportunities. Like, you know, especially with clients, clients aren't always gonna DM you or email you like on Instagram, like you may think they will. But if you just go out and you just start talking to people, you start meeting people, you start doing open houses, you start meeting your local coffee store Baristas, you start meeting people at whatever hobby stores, like I like comic books, so start meeting the comic book people there, start meeting people at the golf course, you know, you start meeting people and making those opportunities to have conversations and have new, you know, having new face-to-face relationships grow and blossom, you're not, you might not, they might not be looking for a house right that second, but everyone eventually is looking to buy or sell a house. So by having that connection, it really is like planting the seeds and they're gonna grow. You know, uh, if I go to golf course and I'm like, you know, I end up playing with someone, I'm like, hey, let me grab your number, let's do this again sometime. And then we're golfing every so often, you know, maybe once a month, then you know, you really build that relationship. And when they want to buy or sell a house, you're the first person they think of because they're like, oh, he's a real estate agent, and we get along really well. I trust him with the biggest, one of the biggest sales or purchases of my life. And I trust him to handle that and to make that go smoothly. That's a great, it's a way you can make opportunities when finding clients in businesses. You know, you just go out and meet people, and you know, these people weren't expecting to meet you today, but you may have gone out and you said, Hey, I just want to go and meet some new people today, and you grow those connections, and you're just making those opportunities to potentially have future clients or future referrals and have success in your business. And if I had any advice on that, for me at least, when I go out and I would say I'm going to meet three new people today, it kind of puts the pressure on me, and then I kind of overthink it, and I'm like, oh, I don't know. And then I just kind of not as successful in it. But when I go out and I'm just like, I'm gonna go here and I'm just gonna see what happens. That's why I did the watch fair where I met a guy and we talked for an hour. I was like, I'm just gonna go and we're gonna see what happens. If nothing else, I'm just gonna look at cool watches. But on the, you know, on the good side, maybe I'll meet some new people, get some new connections, and spoke or started talking with this guy for an hour. So for me, it really helps when I'm just like, I'm gonna go see what happens. Like in the back of my head, I'm like, I know I have to meet people, I know I have to have to get out of my comfort zone and really just try and meet some new people. I I know that's in my in the back of my head, but when I'm just kind of thinking, when I'm just walking in, I'm like, okay, I'm just gonna see what happens, see what arises. I it really takes the pressure off for me, and it just allows me to begin more natural conversations. Not all of your conversations that you start are gonna be natural. Like some are gonna be kind of awkward at first, but then maybe you'll get into a groove, maybe they'll stay awkward, and you're like, hmm, but then at least you learn, you're like, okay, maybe there's a more natural way I can come up to this person, or there's a more natural way I can start a conversation with them. Like in at my open house, I did yesterday on Sunday. People were coming in, and I was, you know, I just asked, I was just like, hey, welcome in. Here's open house, kind of the whole open house introduction greeting kind of thing. And then in in open houses, you're there to make connections with people because in open houses it they're it's kind of weird because I think the statistic is like less than 10% or something like that. I forget what the uh actual number is, but it's like less than 10% say of the people who come into the open house are actually gonna buy that house. So what you really want to do is you really want to connect with them and get a conversation going. So then and you give them your information and they're like, oh yeah, I remember that guy. You know, he seemed really cool, very trustworthy. You know, he had a great conversation. So that's kind of how you kind of what the open house is kind of for. It's also to advertise the listing as well as getting connections. But my point is at the open house, I was you know, welcome welcoming in welcoming them in, and then I was like, okay, where do I go from here? And so, you know, I was asking them how their Sunday was, and they're like, Oh, it's just starting. You know, it's like okay, that doesn't get me really anywhere. And so then I was talking about the weather because it got really cold all of a sudden, and that got me somewhere, that got me in a good position with one couple. Yeah, just trying to find to find out what works, what doesn't work, and experimenting. And if it doesn't work, then throw it away because if it's not gonna work, then don't waste your time and possibly money on it. But if it does work, then keep doing that and do more of it. When I first started, I was doing everything. You know, I was doing door knocking, cold calling, emailing, all of it. And none of it really worked for me. Like for some people, it works for them, and that's great, but for me, just it just didn't work that way. So, what I found really works for me is open houses, just to meet new people, get conversations, and get better at conversing with people, and events. I love events, you know, meet people, it's in a natural environment, you know, people are there to meet people, they're there to see something, and it's just a really easy way to spark up a new conversation and connect, maybe on a hobby, maybe in an interest or business. It's just a really great way to naturally meet people, and so I found that was like I was like, okay, I really like doing this, so I'm gonna do more of them and trying to broaden my horizon and just do more. And honestly, I was getting stuck here, and I was like, okay, I need I need some clients, I need to meet more people, but how I'm doing all this, but how? Um and then you know, around this time I met with Johnny De Brito, and he was like, We were just walking down, we we got a coffee and we were walking down the street in Jerry in Cherry Creek, and we were just while just walking down, and it was two or three people within three, two, three blocks, so like a person on a block, was like, Oh, hey Johnny, how are you doing? How's your family? How's your kids? And I was like, How how do I do that? How do I get that? And he was like, You just talk to people, you just talk to everyone, and it really opened my eyes and really showed and really shifted my perspective. And I was like, huh. And so now when I'm going out, I'm really trying to get out of my comfort zone and just try and talk to people and meet them in whatever way I can. Like at the comic book store, just saying, Oh, hey, like, what's your favorite comic? What do you like about this? What do you like about that? Or at the golf course, hey, how long you've been playing, what got you started, what's your handicap? What's your favorite part of the game? All that fun stuff. And then, you know, eventually the conversation kind of gets to a point where then you're talking about your family, you're talking about your life. You're not really just taught, you're not just talking about golf or comics, you're more talking about the personal level. And that's where you grow a connection, that's where you grow your trust. And in most conversations, I would say, or at least the ones I've had, work comes up and they're like, What do you do for work? And I'm like, Oh, I'm a real estate agent, uh, they're whatever they do. And so then they know I'm a real estate agent, maybe they're looking for a house, maybe they're not, but at least I have that connection and somewhat of a trust. And so then next time I see them, there's already a natural bond. And then if like then they're like, oh hey, I'm looking for a house today. And it's like, how about and then I could say, hey, how about you use me? I feel like the golf course is a great way to get people not only get their like grow connection with them, but also to get their information because when you're on the golf course most of the time, most of the time, people are already having a good time, you're already enjoying your time out in the nature and outside and enjoying a great sport, and so just ease of conversation is really easy. Sometimes they get mad, and then you just kind of take a step back and quiet it down. And then, you know, at the end of the round, you'd be like, Hey, I really enjoyed playing with you, or maybe you didn't, and then you're just like, hey, good playing with you, and you shake their hands and you walk away. But if you did have like a good time playing with them and you got a connect, good connection going, then maybe you're like, Hey, I would love to play again. Could I get your number? And bam, you have their number, and you can just continue to play golf with them, and then maybe one day they text you and they're like, Hey, looking for a house. And of course, all of this can apply to any business, not just real estate. So it's not just real estate, but any business. You can find clients anywhere you want, and you can get their you can connect with them. Maybe you're in the roofing business, or you're a plumber on your own, you have your own plumbing business, maybe you're you have your carpenter business, maybe it's an online store kind of thing, maybe you're making art. I don't know. But it's still a great way to get clients. And so when that conversation of what do you do for work naturally comes up, you can share what you do for work, maybe share a little bit of details about it, and then maybe one day they text you or they come up to you and say, Hey, I'm looking for you know, a nice piece of artwork. Can you help me? I'm looking my sync bro, can you help me? And then bam, you got some business going. And then if you do really well, you know, most people have friends, so maybe they'll be like, hey, talk to their friends, be like, hey, I got this piece of art, check them out. And then you got referrals and you got more business. And that's kind of just all I have about making opportunities, taking them, and how to decide if they're for you or not for you. And I also say when you are first starting, or I mean kind of really any point in your business, if you're like, hey, these people, I you know, they were fun with on the golf course, but I don't really care to see them again, and that's okay. You don't have to. You can kind of sort out your partners, your clients. I mean, so some businesses you can't really sort out your clients, but in real estate, you're like, eh, like that they were cool, but I'm not really sure if they're for me, kind of thing. And that's okay. You know, I was golfing with a guy in the hospitality business, and I was like, there's yeah, we're just we're not connecting. My just there's not there's not really anything there. Just like I would kind of get annoyed to have him because it was just different personalities, different ways we talk and what we do with our lives. And I was like, yeah, that's not that's not really someone I click or connect with. And so at the end of the golf round, I didn't end up getting his number, which I didn't really want to, but I shaked his hand, I was like, good playing with you, and we went on our separate ways. And that's okay. If that happens, it's okay. There, there's you don't have to have to force yourself to like everyone and to change yourself to like someone. You just it's part of the game. You gotta find people you naturally connect with, you naturally get along with, and those will be the people, the clients, the partners, the that help you and help you grow the most. And just just you have that good connection, you have that good trust. And so don't be afraid to say no to people, say no to opportunities, say no. It's okay to say no. No is one of the most powerful things, and if you're just saying yes all the time, you're diminishing your power. Some you know, you do have to say no sometimes. And that's about all I have for this episode. I thank you all for joining me here on Timeless Movement Podcast. I hope you learned something. I hope maybe I hope helped you open your eyes. I don't know. But I hope you learned something, and I will catch you guys next time.