Building a Life, Not Just a Business: John Gluch on Balancing Real Estate Success with Personal Growth

In this insightful podcast episode, John Gluch, the mastermind behind The Gluch Group, takes us on a journey through his path to real estate success and his commitment to building a balanced, intentional life. John’s unique approach to the real estate business has propelled him from his early days in Phoenix to leading a thriving bi-coastal team in Arizona and San Diego—all while prioritizing his personal growth and family life.

Here’s a look at the key takeaways from this powerful conversation:

# 1. From Fear to Freedom: The Catalyst for Change

John’s story begins with a pivotal moment. Despite early success, he felt driven by fear, holding back from scaling his business. A conversation with a friend helped him realize that fear was limiting his potential, which led him to hire his first team member, sparking exponential growth. This journey has taught John to confront fear with action—a principle he now teaches his team.

# 2. The Power of Mentorship

Throughout his career, John has sought guidance from mentors. These mentors have come in many forms: business coaches, spiritual leaders, and even industry giants. By actively learning from others, he’s gained insights into everything from real estate strategies to personal growth, and he emphasizes the importance of finding mentors who align with specific areas where you want to grow.

# 3. Crafting a System for Real Estate Success

According to John, a key to thriving in real estate is finding and sticking to proven systems. Early in his career, he immersed himself in Craig Proctor’s coaching system, which became a launching pad for his business. Today, his team focuses on open houses, repeat business, and referrals—proven methods he believes are both scalable and sustainable, even with the rise of AI and tech innovations.

# 4. Balancing Career and Family: Intentionality at Work and Home

One of John’s most admirable qualities is his dedication to balancing family life with professional success. To keep this balance, John measures his intentions and goals both at work and at home, tracking how he shows up for his family and making adjustments as needed. He emphasizes that it didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of gradual, incremental changes that he built on over time. Now, he’s able to take extended vacations with his family, stepping away from work with confidence in his team.

# 5. Leveraging AI and Technology for a Human-Centered Approach

While John recognizes the growing role of AI, he focuses on technology as a tool to enhance the client experience and free up time for personal relationships. Whether through automated processes or client insights, he sees AI as a way to improve efficiency, allowing his agents to focus more on high-value interactions and relationship-building—a core component of his business philosophy.

# 6. Personal Growth and Presence Through Contemplative Practices

John attributes much of his focus and balance to contemplative practices, like meditation and prayer, which help him stay present and self-aware. Drawing from resources such as Michael Singer’s *The Surrender Experiment* and Anthony De Mello’s *Awareness*, John has built a routine that fosters mindfulness and centers his goals around his values, particularly in his roles as a father and husband.

# 7. Advice for Young Agents: Lean In and Be Consistent

For anyone new to real estate, John offers timeless advice: pick a system, dive in, and be consistent. When he was just starting, he immersed himself in learning and trusted the process, which paid off in massive growth. He emphasizes that working hard isn’t enough; you have to work smart, trust the process, and show up consistently to see meaningful results.


Closing Thoughts

John Gluch’s approach to real estate is more than a blueprint for business success—it’s a lesson in living an intentional life. By setting clear priorities, embracing growth, and staying true to his values, he’s built a career that supports a thriving personal life. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to build a successful business without sacrificing what matters most.

This episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice that will inspire both seasoned professionals and those just starting in real estate.

To learn more about these strategies and gain valuable insights from John Gluch, visit his website and sign up for his free online course.

– John


Author:

Through his speaking, podcast, and Youtube channel John inspires and coaches real estate agents to create greater levels of freedom by building, growing, and scaling their businesses and teams. His primary focus is on creating a wow culture that humanizes, surprises, and delights customers thereby creating a wealth of repeat and referral business. John has sold more than a billion dollars worth of real estate and runs several top real estate teams in multiple states and is based in San Diego, California.

John Gluch.

john@gluchgroup.com