Finding work/life balance is hard in any profession - but especially in real estate! Agents often overwork themselves in their "free time" and don't know when to shut work down. This makes sense because real estate is an industry where time matters more than most and quick communication is necessary. This need for efficiency though isn't an excuse to let life itself take too far of a backseat.
The incredibly sensitive scale of balance is a tricky one to level, but it's so worth the pursuit. Read on to find tangible ways to implement more balance into your day to day life.
Work Hard, Play Hard
We'll start with the general idea of balance and some larger ways to try it out. We need both work and play in our lives to truly be happy and be able to enjoy both aspects of life. Agents inevitably work hard the vast majority of the time. Real estate is a self-driven business and if one wants to be successful than they need to be constantly pushing themselves and thinking about business. This is the cost of largely getting to make your own hours and be your own boss.
It's necessary to work hard as an agent, and oftentimes that means different and sometimes longer hours than other professions. That's okay! It's also important to play hard and enjoy the life you work so hard for. Plan vacations, even small ones or day trips! Don't forget to regularly practice self care, as well. Exercise and other methods of taking care of oneself shouldn't fall to the wayside.
Sometimes the scale is tipped and that's okay but make sure it evens out in a timely manner. This doesn't mean one weekend getaway a year! This means enjoying life without living for the weekend and prioritizing time with loved ones and self care regularly.
Why Balance is Important
First and foremost; quality of life. No one wants to spend all of their time working. This can cause an overall feeling of unhappiness and/or dissatisfaction. Overall happiness is worth making some sacrifices for and while it might feel off-putting at first, prioritizing oneself is an important habit to get into!
An important aspect of being an agent is doing a great job for each and every client in order to garner a strong reputation! This can't be done if an agent is spread too thin. Clients require timely emails, phone calls, and navigation of their deals and needs and if one is juggling too many - things often begin to slip through the cracks. Word of mouth as an agent can make or break you and it would be a shame for the reason one gains a poor reputation is that they are overbooked.
Actual Steps Towards More Balance
Sure this all seems great, but what can actually be done?
- Organization! Organize your email inbox with labels and auto-replies! Keep an organized calendar.
- Time batching - a lifehack where you group similar tasks together instead of jumping from category to category.
- Hire an assistant if able and/or necessary!
- Have more clear office hours - but be sure they are realistic. 7 PM might be a good idea to put down work.
- Text message templates and time boundaries! No need to respond at 9 PM or 6 AM.
- Don't bite off more than you can chew. Keep in mind that doing the best job will lead to the most jobs!
Using the list above, the day to day of an agent can be streamlined and therefore less demanding!
When Balance is Impossible
We get it - when closing a deal, sometimes balance just isn't on the table. Don't beat yourself up. Instead recognize that this is temporary and worth it! Or, perhaps it's the other side of the coin and you're on vacation! Unfortunately, that is also temporary and work will be there when you return. Maybe you only work a few hours in the morning while away, or maybe not at all and an email can auto-reply saying when you'll return to work.
Sometimes clients require more effort than others - this is inevitable but again temporary! Use these experiences to find new ways to efficiently deal with all types of clients.
If an agent is just starting out - balance might really be out of reach. The grind is necessary to get started in the real estate industry. Know that this lack of balance will even out as you get more clients under your belt and establish yourself.
Final thoughts
The idea of balance is a popular one lately and for good reason. But, we don't want to undersell how important this concept is due to its being so on trend. Balance really is key when it comes to longterm success and happiness. As an agent, part of the gig is deciding when to turn on and off the work switch, so be sure to remain mindful!
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