How Much Time Should I Spend On The Internet?

Is the Internet stealing your life?  (Then why are you reading this?)

See Follow-Up Post With People's Answers (very interesting) 

It's easy to get bogged down in the real estate business by all the busy activities around us, by the emails, faxes, and telephone solicitations we get every day for lead generation and other marketing concepts.  All of this reminded me of the challenges my son (in the photo) had on the basketball court, trying to stay focused to get the ball down the court through the many potential entanglements and ultimately to closing, I mean to the basket. 

When is a Realtor spending too much time on the Internet?  I think the answer depends upon your goals and the benefits you receive.  If your goal is to make money only, then there is definitely a time limit for blogging, editing your website, and emailing.  In that case, the analysis continues with the question what is your income from your Internet activities?  You would cut any Internet activities that do not generate income, starting with your own time.  Then, of course, you examine short-term vs. long-term income goals, because your long-term business plan requires marketing activities now, and that will require time on the Internet. 

But if your goals include benefits beyond just earning money, time on the Internet will not be a money-only proposition.  For example, one of the most valuable benefits of blogging is the educational component.  AR is the best example, in my opinion, of a useful and powerful blog that allows professionals like us to network, engage each other in dialogue over important issues, and to encourage each other in positive ways.  Did I mention all this is absolutely free on AR?  [Wait, am I selling again?  Sorry.  Disclaimer:  I have no financial affiliation with AR or the AR network, but I love selling, and if given the opportunity, or not, I will try to sell.]  I think for most of us our goals include many things, and personal growth, success, and money do not have to be mutually exclusive. 

Where does the Internet fit into my life?  (Not, Where does my life fit into the Internet?)

I'm surprised at how many people in this business have no written business plan at all.  How can you decide how to use the Internet in your real estate business if you don't know where the Internet fits into your bigger business plan?  Here is a logical way to build your plan. 

1. Develope a life plan.  What is your purpose in life?  What do you want to become?  What will your epitaph say?  What will people say about you after you are gone?  Will they remember you? 
2. If, and only if, you are able to answer those questions, develop a long-term business plan, and put it in writing.  When you put it in writing, you are forced to resolve issues you never would if it's just "in your head."
3. Then develop the specific strategies to accomplish your bigger plans.  This is time consuming, and it is an ongoing process with course corrections.
4. While those three steps may seem simple enough, most won't do them.  Please don't feel offended, but statistically something like 90% of those who read this will never do these three things, which are the three most important tasks for your success in life and in this real estate business.  I know, that's a bold claim, but I did not invent these concepts.  They are fundamental.  Ask any top producer, any one of the great sales motivators you and I know, and they have all said these things.  These concepts are in the literature everywhere.  Still, few will actually take the action necessary to do them.
5. Here's the greater challenge, assuming you do the first three:  overcoming personal weaknesses and habits that hinder your  success.  Life and success in the real estate business is all about personal growth.  Ouch!  This is the greatest and the most difficult assignment I give you today.  Seek to personally grow to become a better person in every way.  It's hard work.  It's painful at times, and some won't like you because of your ethics and your disciplined routines, but later you will know that every difficult step was worth it.  To to this, you will want to do the first three steps. 
6. Last, please don't forget to enjoy the process.  The joy is not just in the victory of reaching the goals, but in the process.  Every day is a new day.  Every day is an opportunity to postiviely impact someone's life.  Every day is a day to market youself, to build this business, to meet a new prospect, to follow-up with a client, to experience the normal human emotion of being hurt  for a moment because of a lost transaction, but don't forget to laugh deeply with a friend over a small matter. 

Where does the Internet fit into your life?  You and you alone can decide that.  It will be different for every single one of us, because we are all special, and each of us has different gifts, talents, and goals in life.  It is my hope that your time spent reading this will enrich your life, and that today you will reach out to someone and encourage them in some small way.  Good luck!  Well, I don't believe in luck, but you know what I mean.