O’ take me to that sheltered cove
Alee from blustered Arctic’s howl,
To pause by red-eyed embers glow
To thaw the bone-chilled weary soul.
(R Weisser 2012)
The real estate profession is very time-demanding. Time that is not spent helping clients is usually relegated to finding new customers.
It’s a never ending cycle of “closing” old clients and “converting” new prospects. The pipeline must be maintained and flowing freely at all times.
But like everyone else, real estate brokers still have to maintain some semblance of a “normal” life. But since we are in control of our schedules many cursory tasks are routinely deferred to the realm of “when I have the time to get around to it.”
There are even those times when sleep is placed on the back burner. And as I get older, it’s getting harder and harder to recover from those nights spent burning the midnight oil!
So I have only one query for those of my ilk:
Is there ever a time for rest without guilt?
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I was wondering the same as I was replying clients this morning, explaining the buying process, explaining why an offer is rejected, sending new listings, posting a new blog, doing a BPO...today is Sunday morning I think,
So very true....and I don't do well with a lack of sleep! I have literally ran since I got back from the holidays....and have been working late hours....When my husband gets moved out here with me in a couple of years it will be an adjustment to have that balance.....I do know that being this busy has forced me to neglect my blog!!! Only so many hours!
Just remember that we can't take it with us, though the Pharoahs tried.
Words gone out cannot be taken aback.
Hugs not given cannot be warmly remembered.
We must share and that alone is our reward.
BS
I believe the beauty of being in real estate is that I control my schedule. I work when I want and I play when I want.....to be successful you have to learn how to balance both of them and your clients should not be able to tell if you are working or playing. Some times it is both. Do I miss sleep some nights or wake early in the morning to get work done for a client...yes. But there are days when i take that mid afternoon siesta!! All things that I could not do when I worked in the corporate world!!
You really nailed it with this post Richard. In fact yesterday afternoon my wife and I had a "short" discussion on taking less hours a day away from the office. It's hard to do and even more when you home office. There's always real estate on the brain and we both find ourselves back at our desk taking care of this or that which without doubt turns into a midnight task. Your post has made me stop and think about my own world much appreciation to you.
It is amazing how the shift to real estate online has moved us into a 24/7 world of response as our world still turns on the cycle of closing. And yes, it is Sunday morning and here we are balancing our lives. Time for coffee and living life in between all the demands of our world.
Gary...
I know exactly what you mean. And sometimes I realize that this will never end and that's a little depressing. Thanks my friend.
Deborah...
It took me forever to get this blog posted today. And all the while I'm worried about how much time it is taking. THX.
Brian...
I am trying really hard to adopt that mentality. It's a struggle. Thanks so much.
David...
I think at this point in my life a structured schedule appeals to me. Weird, but true. THX.
After all these years of jumping to the customers beat, about 5 years ago I decided with the help of my broker who is a time management fanatic to get on a schedule, I work 4 days a week M-T with Friday and Saturdays appointment only ( weeks in advance) and always without exception Sundays off (I do play in the rain on Sundays but indulge me). My income has doubled plus, my life is mine and I enjoy the days. I have lost a few clients that have not understood my new found freedom but I have never missed the money and I doubt (know ) they will not be at my funeral or miss me.
Richard, I feel the same way. When I take a break, I feel like I should still be going hard at it. Being as we are taking the break anyways, we need tio convince ourselves to not feel the guilt so we can enjoy the time. Tough to do!
Here's a little something to help you, now you won't have to take the time to "Get a Round Tuit" You've already got one!!! LOL! :)
Hi Richard,
One most rest without guilt, or it is not rest. We do work hard and sometimes we have to burn the candle at both ends, which is why we need our rest. Love your photo and your poem. You should write a book of poems with photos.
John...
Thank you so much for the validation. There are days when I wonder: "it's not just me, is it?" It's definitely a challenge to keep everything in the proper focus.
Emily...
You are so right ... the Internet really has changed the way we control our schedules. Very profound and thank you for bringing it up.
Joyce...
Wow, you should write a post about that, because most of us would be very surprised that it CAN be done!!! THX.
Cheryl...
I need to get some of those discs! lol and thanks for the support.
Cindy...
I am actually working on a book with poems and photos! Thank you so much for letting me know that I am on the right track! I really appreciate it.
Sleep is over rated! Unless you are the one not getting enough!
Guilt does tend to overshadow the day if you are not doing some form of work. Real Estate is demanding and part of our problem with the guilt feelings is that we want to accommodate our clients & don't want to miss opportunity. In our minds we are always on the job and ready to go at a moments notice. The key is permission ... we must respect our day off & after hours need to be off. That task is one on the hardest in the profession.
Richard, I want to be in that sheltered cove too, LOL. When I am not working, I am working. It is a 24-7 job given all that we have to do.
I think there is, Richard. And I think our clients and customers understand more than we usually give them credit for. They realize we have personal lives and need to tend to those as well as our business. I try to remind myself for that when the guilt creeps in. We all deserve some time off now and then, regardless of the business we're in.
One of my resolutions is to put family first....work is important but not THAT important...make time for yourself and dont feel guilty about it...life is too short!!
Richard, I am blown away by your lovely verse and art. With that amazing talent you must really love Real Estate to be doing it instead of working full time at art and poetry. But Richard...guilt is over rated. When you want to pull away from real estate and give the world your other talents, don't feel guilty about leaving work behind.. My favorite slogan when I worry to much about something is "A hundred years from now, what difference will it make."
I was a girl scout, you know, make new friends but keep the old - does that ever apply to real estate. The demand on our time is huge and thank you for sharing that fact.
Hi Richard - SO true.... I always seem to find time for everyone else but myself... We should never feel guilty for doing things for US.. life is too short.. Nicely put - best, Gay
Only "sometimes" does it feel like there's not enough time? I always feel that way lately. Business is good, so I'm not complaining, but we are all human and deserve a bit of downtime every now and again.