Spring selling season has arrived, likely bringing with it a packed schedule full of showings, open houses, meetings, and paperwork. As a real estate agent, you might be an expert juggler, effectively keeping all of these balls in the air. However, with so many tasks demanding your attention, it can be easy to neglect taking care of the most important aspect of your real estate business—yourself. Even if you follow all of the best real estate agent tips and tricks to a T, failing to take time for self-care can lead to decreased productivity, less efficiency, and even burnout.
On the other hand, if you consistently maintain a self-care routine, you could enjoy a number of long-term benefits, including greater efficiency in your work, better stress management, improved focus and productivity, and stronger relationships with your clients. From carving out time for physical movement to delegating tasks when you need to, there are a number of ways to take care of yourself during both busy and slower seasons.
In this article, we’ll dive into real estate agent tips for staying healthy, focused, and productive during a bustling spring selling season. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or new to the industry, these strategies can help you tackle even the most hectic schedule with energy and confidence.
1. Don’t neglect your sleep.
This may seem like an intuitive one. But how many times have you found yourself awake late into the night, catching up on your inbox or planning the month’s marketing calendar, only to have an early wakeup call the next morning for a showing or client meeting? If that situation sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. As a busy real estate agent, it can be easy to put sleep on the back burner in lieu of growing your business or making a sale.
According to the National Institute of Health, getting adequate sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining both physical and mental health. For real estate agents, quality sleep could significantly enhance your ability to perform at your best. When well-rested, you’ll likely experience improved focus, increased productivity, and a greater sense of mental clarity, all of which are essential for managing the dynamic demands of the job. Sleep can also help reduce stress, improve mood, and lead to more effective interactions with clients and colleagues. Given the organizational needs and high levels of socialization required in the real estate industry, getting quality rest can make a substantial difference in your overall performance and success.
2. Make time for movement.
Regular physical activity can potentially help prevent injury, strengthen bones and muscles, increase life expectancy, reduce health risks, improve daily functions, and more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, moving your body can also improve your mood, boost your energy levels, and promote better sleep at night (see above). With all of these benefits in mind, why wouldn’t you want incorporate physical movement into your day?
If finding the time is your biggest pain point, there are easy strategies for squeezing exercise into a packed schedule. First, it’s important to remember that something small is better than nothing at all. Even if you can only spare 10 minutes in a day, that’s still plenty of time to do a quick set of stretches or a core strength routine. Block off this time in your schedule, setting an appointment for yourself to exercise just as you would schedule an appointment with a client. And if you wouldn’t normally cancel on a buyer, don’t cancel on yourself! Keep this commitment like you would any other.
You can also incorporate movement into your workday. When possible, invite clients for a walking meeting instead of a sit-down chat, or park a few blocks away from a listing appointment in order to get more steps in. Consider investing in a standing or treadmill desk for the days when you have a heavy computer workload.
3. Cultivate healthy habits
As an agent, you may have an unpredictable schedule. Between open houses, listing appointments, client communications, and administrative work, your routine probably varies by the day. To combat this irregularity, you may want to keep a few small healthy habits each day for some stability. This could be as simple as taking five minutes at the beginning of each day to write a short journal entry, or carving out time before bed every night to read a chapter from a book. Though they might seem small and insignificant, habits such as those could help bring some predictability to an otherwise hectic schedule.
Two especially important habits that every real estate agent should incorporate into their routines are drinking water and eating regular meals. This may sound fairly obvious, but we understand how easy it is to get distracted during the workday. How many times have you found yourself on the other side of a seemingly endless stream of appointments and showings, feeling exhausted and hungry because you didn’t have a chance to eat a full meal (or drink enough water)? Staying hydrated and well-fed can help you remain focused and energized throughout a busy schedule. Keep a large water bottle with you at your desk and in your car to make hydrating as accessible as possible. As far as food goes, consider taking one day each week to grocery shop and do some meal prep for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you can eat over the remaining six days. Focus on simple, yet nutritious, meals that are easy to eat on-the-go. Discover some recipe inspiration on our Pinterest.
4. Practice mindfulness
In a job as busy and momentum-focused as real estate, practicing mindfulness may seem like an impossible feat. With constant demands, tight deadlines, and multi-tasking, taking even a few seconds to pause and reflect might feel like a luxury you can’t afford. However, incorporating even small moments of mindfulness into your daily routine can have a powerful impact on your productivity and overall well-being. This practice could help you to stay present and focused as you go about your day, allowing you to navigate challenges more effectively and avoid the possibility of burnout that often accompanies high-stress environments.
Mindfulness isn’t limited to meditation alone. There are many ways to tune into the present moment, and it’s important to find a strategy that suits your needs and schedule. For some, mindfulness might look like starting the day with a gratitude journal, reflecting on the positive aspects of both personal and professional life. Others may find it beneficial to engage in quick breathing exercises when they feel overwhelmed, or take a five minute pause to just observe their surroundings and check in with how their body is feeling. These small practices could make a big difference.
5. Delegate when you can
Even the best agents need some help! Lessen your workload by passing along some administrative tasks that others could do (like scheduling, preparing documents, basic bookkeeping, etc.). If you already have an assistant, or even a team of multiple people, delegate tasks based on skill sets and current workload. If you are a team of one, consider hiring someone if you have the means to do so!
Another task that may take up a lot of your time is finding listings for your clients based on their wants and needs. What if we told you that we have a team of home search professionals that can do the legwork for you? Our local New Home Specialists are eager and ready to be your personal assistants when it comes to finding a beautiful new home for your client. They’ll use your buyer’s wish list to narrow down community, floor plan, and listing options. From there, they can schedule tours of any homes that fit your client’s criteria!
6. Connect with other agents
Collaborating and building strong relationships with fellow real estate agents could have a positive impact on your personal and professional well-being. From a business standpoint, networking with others in the industry can help you expand your knowledge, find new opportunities, establish your reputation, and even find potential partners for future deals. At Richmond American, we host agent-focused events at communities across the country—from open houses to educational luncheons to VIP previews! Stay on top of happenings in your area by signing up for a RichmondAmerican.com account.
Beyond the career advantages, developing connections with other agents can also help build your support system within the industry. Real estate is no easy job, and having a network of individuals with similar experiences could provide you with the emotional support and guidance needed to maintain your mental well-being throughout your career. For example, imagine being able to discuss market challenges or overwhelming schedules over a meal with someone who knows exactly how you feel.
7. Take time for yourself
While connecting with your professional network and your loved ones is a key component of self-care, it’s equally as important to carve out some time that’s solely for yourself. Being a real estate agent involves plenty of social interaction, between meetings, phone calls, open houses, showings, and more. Consider scheduling dedicated breaks from your phone and computer, then use that time to do something you love—baking, listening to music, sitting outside on your patio with a cup of tea and the latest bestseller, etc.
Additionally, be okay with saying the word “no” when you need to. In both your personal and professional lives, you may get requests coming in from every direction. If you do not have the energy, time, bandwidth, or desire, skip the “yes” and remain firm in your boundaries. Taking care of yourself properly will likely be more beneficial to your long-term success than loading your schedule up beyond the point of maintenance.
Bonus real estate agent tip
Take advantage of resources available to you! Keeping and utilizing a full toolbox can help you do your job more efficiently and effectively, which in turn could lead to more confidence, less stress, and better peace of mind for you across the board.
We offer an abundance of helpful resources for real estate agents, including:
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