Why is time management so important for Realtors? In today’s training video, our Director of Coaching, Brad Baldwin talks about how successful real estate agents manage their time. Success leaves clues — and we’re helping you pick up those clues and apply them to your real estate business. Effective time management will change your life!
Successful real estate agents are sometimes viewed as boring by an untrained outside. Their days are regimented and repetitive. It is this discipline and the time management skills these Realtors are using that makes them so successful. Routine is good. Habits are good. If you start your work at the same time every single day, you will be much more productive. As humans, having a routine works really well with the way our brains work.
The job of a real estate agent is unusual because it doesn’t operate on a set schedule the way many other jobs do. This is why Realtors must focus on developing these time management skills in order to be successful. As a real estate agent, there are certain activities that work well at certain times of the day. Here are some general time management guidelines for Realtors.
It’s very hard in this business to “clock out” at a certain time every evening. An old-school mentality is to “shut off” your phone at 5pm and be done for the day. With that being said, there can be balance. Sure, some quality leads may come in at 5:30pm, and you don’t want to miss out simply because you were done for the day. But you also do need to protect your work/life balance. There is a point when you need to give yourself a break.
Here’s a situation that happens often. You get a call in the evening and a quality lead wants to see a home right now, but it’s 7:30pm. There is a simple way to handle this type of situation. “Hey, I’m so excited you called. Unfortunately I am in an appointment right now. However, I do have time tomorrow at 11am to meet with you and see that home.” You aren’t lying. You have an appointment with dinner. You’re protecting your time! This is time management.
You can’t let yourself get mad at clients that want to meet late in the day or on weekends. This is the nature of our job. Most people are only available to see houses or set appointments when they get off work in the evening, or on the weekend. So yes, there will be days when you need to make that 7:30pm meeting work. One way to allow for that kind of flexibility is to only allow it on certain days of the week. That way you know on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for example, your evenings are safe. Perhaps Tuesdays and Thursdays you assume that you will work late and make yourself available for those clients that need to meet at later hours.
Here’s the thing. Most Realtors don’t know how to manage their time. A lot of us come from other occupations, where we had a boss that was responsible for our time management. The whole concept may be brand new, and it’s hard to be your own boss. That’s why you need to be proactive and learn the skills needed for effective time management. Our online course can help.
There really are enough hours in the day, if you manage them wisely. This course consolidates the systems, schedules, trackers and plans Top Producing agents use to work efficiently.
Time management isn’t simple. Making new habits that stick takes time. Sometimes, an extra push is necessary — and sometimes, you may need extra accountability as you get started. Get an ICC coach in your corner! Reach out to schedule a free consultation call today.
