Jeff - Thank you for your comments.  I was once told I was ready when I could leave the office for days on end, stay busy and come back to NO messages.  Rarely do I have messages.  Most of my clients call directly to my cell phone.  I use 5000 or more minutes per month on my cell phone, incoming and outgoing, but I get only 2-3 calls per week at the office.

Maybe it is time.  I don't want to spend this energy cleaning up someone else's office.

Lynda - It was the past receptionist turned broker assistant.  Keep in mind our broker has a policy against us having our own assistants.  Perhaps my life would be easier with one.  I can make the phone ring.  I need someone to pick it up.

Christina - Thank you - I am humbled.  It is a lot and I made the list on purpose.  I'm trying to figure out which one is next to be eliminated.  I just cannot do it all and be effective.  Problem is I care about every single thing on that list.

That brings me to another point.  Am I really ready to let go and delegate?  I need an assistant to answer the phone, make appointments, deal with my email and keep my website updated.  That alone would give me at least 3 hours per day to deal one on one with buyers and sellers.

But would I just continue to give away that time to my causes?

Hey, Marty, My Friend!

Are you going to the state convention?  I would just LOVE to meet you!

Something definitely has to give.  I am evaluating each volunteer position I hold and I'm trying to make some really tough decisions.  I've also had overnight to think about it, even though I've spent most of that time in tears.  Much of that could be that Samson leaves for college Monday morning but I've certainly been an emotional wreck for the last 24 hours.

One of my office mates called me today.  We had a very good talk today and he really was helpful.  He agrees that our office has deteriorated - especially the noise level and he knows how I am when someone will yell down the hall rather than get a little excersize and walk 20 feet to another office...

He had another good point as well.  In most of my adult life I've worked primarily with men.  When a man goes to work, he is there to work.  He's not there to socialize.  Given my background where I was usually the only woman in the office/company/jobsite, I tend to work that way because for about 20 years that's all I knew how to do.  I'm there to get my work done.  Period. 

I'm also extremely busy and carry a large inventory.  Of course, since the broker won't allow assistants, I'm overwhelmed.  I generate my own business.  I finally succeeded in getting off the floor schedule and thought that would give the newer agents more time to take those calls.  I thought that was a thing I was doing to be helpful, but apparently it was taken wrong... like I thought I was above that kind of thing.  Honestly, I thought one less agent in the rotation was a good thing for newer agents!

The other thing apparently isn't understood is why I close my door.  If everyone is yelling back and forth throughout the office I cannot even concentrate enough to write an email, let alone try and talk on the phone.  So, closing my door is also serving to alienate my office mates.

I've thought about opening my own shop for a while now but rather than push me towards it, this latest thing has my confidence shaken.  I'm doubting my people skills, my interpersonal skills and wonder if this is what people think of me, would any agent want to work in my office?

Thank you so much, Susan!  I think I'll be alright.  I'm just not looking forward to Monday.  I'm saying goodbye to my oldest who is leaving for college at 8:30 in the morning, then going in and facing this person and this ugliness at the office.  It doesn't look like it is going to be a fun day, but thanks to the support I've received I know I'll make it.

I contacted an agent I used to work with that left Juneau.  Her and I used to butt heads constantly, and no matter how much we tried we couldn't get along.  At the time we were both younger and new to the business.  We've both grown up so much, and been through so much.  I would have never guessed I'd call her.  At the time I figured if there were any truth to what I was told, she'd be willing to tell me.  After all, she had nothing to lose.  Our rivalry was the talk of the real estate community at times.  Funny now, years later, she is one of my best cheerleaders.  I think I'll invite her to AR. 

I love Active Rain!

Hi, Kathy -

I've been out all this week showing remote property, well through Thursday.  Amazingly everyone waited for a return call.  To my knowledge I didn't miss a thing.  This next week is the state convention and I'll be talking with brokers from other labels.  The market is kind of slow now, and since we just wrote big checks for the first semester of college for my older son it probably isnt' the best time to drop several thousand on a franchise.  I will probably have to stick it out for a little while but something will change.  Soon.