Crabs in a Barrel: The Mindset Keeping You From Earning More
Jul 01, 2025If you think success is about hoarding your secrets, side-eyeing your peers, and treating everyone like the enemy, you're already losing.
I see it all the time in real estate: agents wrapped up in rivalries, clinging to titles, licenses, and tasks that no longer serve them, all because they’re afraid to let go or let someone else shine.
That “crabs in a barrel” mindset will keep you small, stuck, and exhausted.
Here’s the truth: in today’s market, collaboration is the competitive edge. Instead of competing with other agents, we need to be around people who lift us up.
You need allies, a clear niche, and a no-BS understanding of what drives your business forward.
In this very special 200th episode of Social Selling Made Simple, I’m getting real about what helped me level up.
I’m sharing the legacy of entrepreneurship I inherited from my grandfather, how I went from overworked instructor to highly paid keynote speaker, and why choosing collaboration over competition changed everything.
The more I let go, the more I get, and what I’m getting is better than anything I ever let go. -Marki Lemons Ryhal
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The "crabs in a barrel" trap
Clinging to our ideas and treating peers as threats sabotages our growth. How do we break free from this scarcity mindset? - Competition vs. contribution
How did I turn what other people saw as a real estate rivalry into a powerful collaboration opportunity? - Why focus pays more than hustle
How did I increase my hourly rate, free up more time, and lean into the parts of the business I love most?
About Your Host
Marki Lemons Ryhal is a Licensed Managing Broker, REALTOR® and avid volunteer.
She is a dynamic keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, both on-site and virtual; she's the go-to expert for artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurship, and social media in real estate. Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate, and with 25+ years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.
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