Tricks of the trade — Improve your time management skills

One of the greatest gifts that being a real estate agent provides, lies in the fact that no two days are ever the same. It keeps you on your toes, keeps your mind active, and your days often seem to pass in the blink of an eye. With amazing opportunities for personal success — all the while being able to genuinely help others — there’s frankly no other career quite like it.

However, a real estate career is certainly not known for being a particularly predictable profession. Appraisals can come in low. Basements flood. Multiple offers come in all at once. Financing gets delayed. And sometimes that’s just a Tuesday! Sometimes it can seem downright impossible to not only plan your days, but actually stick to your plan.

That’s not to say you can’t make the most of each day, even when the not-so-uncommon curveball is thrown your way. While you cannot control potential challenges that may arise, nor can you make the day any longer, there are ways you can be sure to make the most of your time.

Here are seven tips for best managing your time as a professional real estate agent.

Acknowledge Your Business Goals — Remind yourself of your short-term and long-term business goals each day. That way, you’ll be able to look at the big picture when scheduling your days, and your weeks. By reminding yourself of your immediate goals, and where you would like your business to be next quarter, next year, or five years from now, you’ll keep your sights firmly focused on working towards those overarching goals, even when things get hectic.

Put Effort into Prioritizing — There are many methods of prioritizing your tasks, but one of the simplest ways to do so is to sort your various responsibilities into categories so you can take a clear look at what is most time sensitive, what can be put off if necessary, and what items can be postponed easily. By prioritizing your tasks, you’re less likely to stray from your plan, and avoid feeling like you’re busy, yet unproductive.

Use Technology to Track Your Time — Time tracking and time management apps can be incredibly useful for real estate agents on the go. By logging how you spend your time, you’re likely to see patterns, thereby being able to identify your most productive days, or pinpointing tasks that wind up taking more time than they should. When you can look at how you planned to spend your day, and compare it with how you actually spend your time, you’ll be in a better position to see where adjustments need to be made.

Learn to Live with Saying No — As real estate agents, it’s hard not to say yes to every request, invitation, or opportunity that comes your way. After all, you’re in the business of customer service. But you’re also in the business of being honest, which means that sometimes you’re going to have to say no to a request when you simply don’t have the time, and that’s ok. Your clients may see you as a super hero, but you must remember you’re only human and can only take on so much.

Minimize Distractions — Multi-tasking is a way of life for most real estate agents, but there can be too much of a good thing. Try reducing the number of notifications you receive from various apps, or social media during times when you need to focus. Or, consider silencing your phone while you’re working on a new listing. Little distractions can lead to big delays, and wasted time.

Decide to Delegate — Learning to delegate can be a challenge, but committing to do so can significantly lighten your load, and free up extra time. To get started, it may be beneficial to delegate the least time sensitive items until you become comfortable with entrusting others to help you meet your goals.

Sleep, Eat, Exercise, Repeat — Getting plenty of rest ensures that your mind is poised to function at its peak level. Likewise, a balanced diet, will help you to maintain your energy level throughout the day. Exercise is also a powerful tool for learning to manage your time, through relieving stress and providing a boost of endorphins to feel good during the day and sleep well at night. Learning to manage your time as a busy real estate agent can take effort and dedication. But it can also feel like a life-saver in terms of keeping you calm, cool, and collected in a career synonymous with unpredictability and unmeasurable rewards.