Fortunately, we do not have to choose whether what we do is more about Real Estate or People; I think we all know the essence, the bottom line; the nitty gritty  of real estate is "people". Most often we are thinking of the people rather than ourselves. If you have been a real estate professional any time at all, you know that to be true. You probably also know that in the "people" category you pay the least attention to yourself.

Most Real Estate Professionals come with families (gasp...:-) . Recently I experienced an intervention of sorts. I learned that family members thought I was working too much. Obviously I had let my passion for serving Investors and rental candidates get totally out of hand. How do you back off, though? I don't think it is possible to give less. However, I did make a vow to remember to schedule in important family events. A chief complaint is that I spend too much time on the computer. So, I am backing off of non-essential writing, other than when the last family member is asleep, or if I happen to wake up at 3AM as I did today and find my family still sleeping.

Once when I woke up around 3AM, our house was on fire. I thanked God when I woke up at 3 this morning that my house was safe, and all family members either breathing deeply or snoring. I made a pit stop by the coffee pot and found the following reminder from my 16 yr old, Skye. "Mom, do you know anyone that would like to sponsor me for the Choir Walkathon?" Well, off the top of my head, No. However, I put us down for $2 a mile or $20. The walkathon is tomorrow; with a packed real day I can't see lining up sponsors last minute as something I can do successfully. I will be coordinating 3 to 4 new leases, the results of ongoing work. I may be weak minded; but I have got to focus on work.

One thing about being a Long Beach Concert Choir Mom is that the parent association comes up with a year packed full of fund raisers. For instance, I may not do a great job at helping get sponsors for the Walk a Thon (Sponsors just let me know the $ or cents they want to contribute to Skye's 10 track walk. You can pay later:-); but I still have time to get myself together for Christmas Wreathes (you may turn in your order now:-); they are beautiful, Christmas with Santa...

Now I know many Real Estate Professionals have kids, and we can't all contribute to all of them. Still, in recognition of the fact that we are Real People, with Real Families--I would like to know about your fund raisers. I would also like your tips on living a more balanced life if you are actively involved in Real Estate as a "Field Agent" (Field Agents get the fun part of the job, working with Rental or Buyer Candidates, showing homes, photographing homes, placing ads).

I almost forgot. Click here to hear a few songs from the Long Beach Concert Choir.