A Hard Lesson Learned About Internet Wisdom

March 2, 2010

I can see clearly NOW.

For those of our regular readers you’ve probably noticed it’s been unusually quiet on San Diego Lifestyle and my RSS feed.

While I don’t normally discuss personal experiances on SDL, I learned a valuable lesson over the last few weeks about relying on the Internet as gospel.  It was a lesson that I would like to share with you.

Several weeks ago, I was home after a long day of working.  I noticed a red flashing in my right eye when I looked to the right side.  At first I thought it was my imagination but the flashes continued to increase.  I became pretty alarmed as they increased during a walk to the bookstore.

Worried that I had a serious problem, I decided to look up my symptoms on the Internet.  A quick search of Google found a multitude of articles.  After reading a  number of sites I decided (STUPID) that my symptoms were related to migraines that I used to have as a child – this particular site said this was no real cause for concern.  Feeling better and pretty clever for self diagnosis (IDIOT) I went to bed confident I would be better in the morning.

I read the other day that a Lawyer that represents himself, has a fool for a Client.

North or South? Which is it?

Over the next several days I continued to have various symptoms and decided to visit my local optometrist.  By the time I arrived to his office he had left for the day and I made an appointment for first thing in the morning.   The optometrist dilated my eyes and after some time said it was difficult to tell for sure but it appeared I may have a tears in my retina.  He also told me they were at the top of the eye ball where gravity would continue to pull and tear and I needed to get to an opthamologist immediately.

I will spare you all the grisly details on both my initial laser treatment and subsequent surgery – the point of this post is simply a suggestion to seek professional advice and not rely on the Internet as “gospel”.  Lots of bulk information without intelligence to decipher its meaning can be a dangerous thing and we all get a false sense of security in knowing ALL – an impossible task.

I am extremely fortunate to have an excellent Opthamologist at the top of his field both in education, patient care,  and experience.

While the procedures and treatments have been quite painful and stressful, I have total faith in his ability to do everything possible to correct my eye sight.  He has taken the time to clearly explain each of my options, including the pitfalls, and gives me consultation along through the process.  I am most grateful that I have been so fortunate to be in the care of such a professional.

Now I am not going to suggest that the real estate industry deals with life and death or serious heath challenges like the medical profession.  Our responsibilities are pale.  With that said, buying and selling real estate is usually the largest financial investment that you make in your lifetime and having someone with experience, advocacy, and fiduciary duty look out for you is vital to your success.

So many times when working with new Clients they come with the attitude that they know everything there is to know about real estate.  They feel empowered with the vast amount of information provided on the Internet and many times perceive REALTORS® as a necessary evil – someone between them and what they want.  Somewhere along the way through the process, they begin to realize what a complicated process it is and how valuable a good REALTOR® can be.

Life has a wonderful way of presenting us with learning opportunities along our chosen paths.  Seeking out those professionals when we need help is such a better way to go.

Another life lesson learned.  I promise I will be back soon.