Real estate agents can be some of the busiest people. With the many hats we have to wear all day everyday it can sometimes be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be though, here are some tips and tricks to make your day a little bit easier.
Get an early start
Let’s face it not everyone is a morning person. I still don’t really feel like I am, but nothing starts the day off better then some time to myself to gather my thoughts. It really helps to start the day off in a good head space and makes the day just feel that much better.
Use your morning to get yourself in the right headspace, whether it be with a short meditation, a little reading, some exercise or stretching. Get your coffee or tea and then look at your schedule for the day. Pick your top priorities for the day and plan them out. This allows you to hit the ground running after getting ready and feel like you have already accomplished something.
For details on how to plan your ultimate morning, I highly recommend the book the Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents by Hal Elrod
Time Block
Time blocking is pretty much what it sounds like. Instead of simply saying work from this time to this time, you block out certain time on your calendar to work on a specific task. This helps you to stay productive and focus on this one task until its done.
For example let say you want to work on your farming materials for the next month. Block out an hour or two and work on just the one task. You will be amazed at how much you can get done when you time block! Instead of spending 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there throughout the day while allowing other things to constantly interrupt you. You will get the task done in less time without the constant starting and stopping.
After filling out your calendar for the week with appointments, meetings, and other items that need to be done at certain times, go back and add your timeblocks. You will find that you will get more done in far less time!
Outsource
As a real estate agent you wear many hats throughout the day but do you need to wear them all yourself? Some tasks, although completely necessary don’t need to be done directly by you. Can you hire a courier service to drop off signed documents? How about hiring a teenager to deliver door knockers to your farm? Does your brokerage offer a transaction coordinator you can use?
Look for all the different areas you can look at outsourcing. The more time you free up, the more time you’ll have to spend on marketing and networking. Yes it may cost you a little bit of money, but the time it frees up for you can help you to handle more clients. That leverage can really help you to grow your business at exponential speeds.
Use Automation and Systems
Do you have tasks that you do repeatedly? Or how about tasks that you do for each transaction? It’s time to make a system. Systems make an activity more repeatable, streamlined and packaged up for outsourcing. It can be time consuming at first but it is definitely worth it. As you get busier this will allow you to add an assistant easily and seamlessly.
Don’t wait until your so overwhelmed that you have to add an assistant to write out your systems, that will only add to your overwhelm. Work on them as you find yourself doing the same tasks over and over, you’ll thank me later.
Some tasks can be automated by using software. For example a good CRM can help you to keep in touch with past clients so you stay top of mind. Go the extra mile and set up an automation system that reminds them of semi-annual or annual home maintenance items, sends them happy home owners anniviserary notes, etc. Attach your CRM to your back end of your website and you can start the conversation with new leads quickly.
Join or start a team
Certain hats must be worn by realtors but you still don’t need to do it all by yourself. Think about it. What top producer agent do you know that doesn’t have an assistant, an ISA, a closing coordinator, and a few junior agents?
There’s a good reason for that, a team allows the leader to delegate. That means you can work on the parts of the business that you excel at and let other agents stick to their strengths. Lets say you are great at listing presentations but don’t care to work with buyers. Find someone that is great at working with buyers and add them to your team.
As you continue to grow your business and your team, you will gradually do more in line with your strengths and less of what you don’t love. Play to your strengths and you will win.
If you want to be a rock star in real estate, start a team.
If you don’t have tons of leads, lots of support, and people you can work with, join a team. The super hero solo agents are few and far between. Most of us are stronger together. It can also be an excellent way to learn for newer agents.
Don’t forget to take time for yourself
The last point about time management is to make sure you take time to enjoy life. Too many agents try to do it all and work 70+ hours a week, this will quickly lead to burnout. When it is time to work, make the most of that time and work smart. At some point though you need to stop and enjoy your life outside of work.
As part of your time blocking be sure to block off specific sections of time to be with your family and loved ones. Build in time for recreation and personal development. Clients and transactions will come and go, and there will always be another deal to chase. When you are working give it your all, but when it comes to yourself, your family and loved ones give that your all too!
Using these six simple tips will help you manage your time wisely and get the most out of your day. Be sure to subscribe to our email list for other articles with tips and tricks to make the most out of your real estate business.