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Five Days Off? Are You Kidding Me???

I am a real estate agent through and through. I took to it like a duck to water.

Cell phone? Check.

Obsession with office voicemail? Check.

PA's and listing agreements neatly compiled in my car? Check.

So naturally, when my fiancee, Nick, said he wanted to go camping for Memorial Weekend...... I asked how long we would be gone.

We do this every year, and I've always been super excited.

Right now I'm having a panic attack.

We're leaving tonight, coming back sometime on TUESDAY. TUESDAY, people!

I'm freaking out.

What if someone calls? What if there is a question that someone needs answered? What if a PA comes in????

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE CELL PHONE RECEPTION?????

I just don't know if I can do this.

I love fishing. I love camping. There's nothing I'd rather do..... except be close to the office while I did it.

It is exciting, though. We're going to Mantrap Lake, gonna fish our butts off, and definitely enjoy it. We've got food, and are bringing the pups.

Meanwhile, I'm busy wondering what Briggy is going to eat, and missing out on office stuff.

Is anyone else like this, or am I just a workaholic? Tell me, fellow agents, do you have an anxiety attack when you even THINK about leaving for a morning, much less a few days?

Please, tell me I'm not nuts!!!

Posted by Joslyn Panka Solomon - Mora Minnesota - Minnesota's One Way Ticket to SOLD! on 05/24/2007 05:41 PM

Comments (15)

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Post is included in group: Fishing for Professionals! (Not Professional Fisherman!)

15 Comments on Five Days Off? Are You Kidding Me???

MAY

2007

You will be a better broker with a few days off...you have to have a life beyond real estate. EVERYONE NEEDS A VACATION! You will be able to do way more with a break to refresh and give you perspective. Remember...all work and no play...you know the dittie! Take some bug spray! Don't drink the water! Have fun!

I can relate. We are planning on taking a vacation in July to Flagstaff for 5 days! I love Flagstaff and I am so excited to be going but I am also thinking all the same things you are. I do have a great agent though that I can have cover for me so that does help.

Hi Joslyn:

Take if from me...a healthy balance is REQUIRED in order for you to be a great agent. Throughout the years, I've seen lots of agents lose their family, have problems with their children and become "burnt out" and EVERY ONE of them has said, "No way...I won't get that way."

Family time is precious. ESPECIALLY since you don't get much of it. You don't want everyone to think that you think your cell phone or the next deal is more important than spending time with them, do you? I have never heard of anyone on their death bed asking if a deal was closing...they ask for their kids, their husband or wife, their parents, friends, or loved ones.

I had a brush with death this past November and it really helped me to put things into perspective. HAVE FUN and make precious, irreplaceable memories to last a lifetime!

I can so relate! We camp every memorial day too! When ever I go away I am still never far from all my necessities! I know we are better with time off. I look at it as while I am on vacation I am getting time off. Time away from the office, time to sit on the beach chair in the sun (or rain for this weekend) and answer questions, calls or emails as I choose. I am not tied to my phone or my computer, but I do check them. I think depending on your personality (Type A for me) I cant ever just let it go. Its like letting my kids just check in when they feel like it, or going away with out them and not talking to them the entire time. Just not possible for me! But I do come back relaxed regardless! Hope you do the same! Enjoy the weekend! Happy fishing!

Joslyn Rather than a vacation, what if you broke your leg tonight? Would your business come to a screaching halt? It's always good to have a support team and people you can count on for times when you can't/shouldn't/don't want to be available. If you're freaking out about a planned vacation that means your definitely not prepared for an emergency or tragedy. Food for thought :) Now go have fun!

Joslyn, go have fun. When you get back you will have endless voicemails for business and you can catch up.

Take the time off!

Don't you know it is the most surefire way of getting a bunch of business to happen?

Just be ready to do the same for whoever watches your business :)

MAY

2007

I found someone in my office I trust with my life and when I go on vacation she takes my work and when she needs to leave I do the same for her.

Hey Joslyn! Take the time off!! In my experience business goes nuts while you are gone! Since I am not going on vacation, feel free to send me your referrals while you are gone!! hehehe!!

MAY

2007

I'm going away on a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean (note, ZERO cell phone reception) in July. But I have an agent in the office who I know will cover for me and I'll have to leave a message on my cell voicemail to contact her. I also do plan on taking my laptop with me and paying for expensive-as-hell WI-FI on the ship so I can at least check email. It's going to be interesting!

You are definitely a workaholic! You are nuts! But there is a remedy.... take five days off. The first two will be difficult. The third day you start feeling guilty that you're actually have a good time without the phones ringing. The fourth day you have a ball! The last day you start dreading all the work that has piled up that you have to do when you get home. Workaholic! I should know..... I'm one too. Have a great time.

MAY

2007

Joslyn- We always love reading your blogs! It is easy to panic....this is our bread and butter. We always have a saying.....if things are slow, plan a trip....all of a sudden everyone wants to do something and you are trying to leave. Take a deep breath!!! Andrew is right....you will be of better service to your clients if you take a break here and there. I'm sure you will get phone reception....and if someone needs immediate attention...ask someone in your office for help. It is hard. We have been selling for 10 years and we still get a little anxious about leaving. Enjoy the long weekend! Most people have made plans....why shouldn't you???

MAY

2007

Thank you everyone for your comments! Please read my blog Five Days Off - Totally Worth It! It was definitely worth it - you were all right!

And, thank goodness, I did have cell phone reception at the campsite. No such luck on the lake, though.

Also, I got back home, showered, and began to drive into the office, and my cell phone rang. It was a gentleman who wants to write a PA tomorrow on one of my listings. SWEET!

A vacation and a hogger? Yes please!

JUN

2007

Real Estate is not a job it is a way of life :)

Ben - I have to agree with you there! It definitely is a way of life for me! Sure, I can show you a property three hours away! Meanwhile, I'm figuring out how to juggle the financials so I can make that drive! :)

This is my life... and I love it.

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