A career in real estate can feel all-consuming at times. While you’re juggling appointments and working on generating more leads, it can feel like a never-ending process that results in too little time for your personal life.
It doesn’t have to feel this way, however. With the proper strategies in place, you can build a business that is fulfilling and successful without having to sacrifice time with your family and friends.
Coach your clients. Establish boundaries from the get-go. During your first appointment with them, state your business hours. Let them know that while you’ll make yourself available when necessary, you won’t answer your phone or emails after or before a certain time of day. Emphasize that you will be completely focused on their real estate needs during business hours.
Stick to your schedule. Don’t waver from the hours you’ve established, both for work and to enjoy personal time with family and friends. In order to truly reinforce boundaries and ensure your consumers understand they cannot cross that line, you need to be consistent and follow through. If you tell your clients that you shut off your phone at 8 p.m., don’t reach out to them for anything unless urgent during or after this time, or you risk sending the wrong message.
Delegate. Have back-up just in case. If anything does come up that another member of your team or an admin can manage, your clients will know that they are being taken care of without breaking the rules you initially set for them. This will help you set the precedent that your time is valuable, but so are your clients’ needs.
Set personal boundaries. The above works both ways. Let your family and friends know that you can’t be reached at certain times during the day. If you’ve blocked off time for showings or lead gen, then you should focus on the tasks at hand. This way, you’ll increase your productivity and ensure you don’t bring work home, leaving your personal and business lives as separate as possible.
Enjoy your time off. You might feel like by setting these strict boundaries that you’re alienating your clients and losing out on business. Focusing too much on work, however, can have negative repercussions for your business. Taking the time for friends, family or just yourself will reenergize you, helping you to be your most productive when you are working. Remember, a healthy balance will help you thrive in both your career and in your personal life.
Liz Dominguez is RISMedia’s associate content editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at ldominguez@rismedia.com.