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Why I'm NOT always available!

Well, this is why! My family is the number one, most important thing in my life. I work for them - I love my work...but I love my family more! (phew:)). If I know that an important and urgent call is coming in, I will warn my kiddos that I will have to "talk on the phone for work" for a little bit that night but I won't make a habit of it. When I first started in this business, I read a book about how easy it can be to let real estate run your life. After all, it's commission based. Sell while you can, right! But at what expense? Anyway - the book said, "Wherever you are - be there!" I like that advise and I try to stick to it. What does that mean for my clients? Go ahead and call! If I don't answer, you know I'm with my family so leave a message and I'll call you back. Also, after they go to bed, I work on email so that is a fabulous way to find me! It's not that I'm unavailable or not concerned about your needs as a client; it just means that I have to balance my priorities (don't we all?). When I'm at my office - I'm just that...at my office working. And, when I'm at home - I'm just that...at HOME. So, no, I'm not the Realtor who is available 24/7 - and if that's what you need, please let me know and I can help you find that person because "always, undconditionally available" is one thing I am not:) Love those roots!!! -Emily

Posted by Emily Cross on 10/31/2007 03:53 PM

Comments (14)

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14 Comments on Why I'm NOT always available!

OCT

2007

The truth is, we don't have to be available literally 24/7. I don't have a wife and kids of my own, but I know that spending time with family and being in the moment when you're with someone, is something to be valued.

If I can't take a call, I simply forward it to voicemail. If they call repeatedly, and sometimes that has been the case, I answer and ask to call them back later.

Have a great Halloween!

Ricardo - you are so right on! For me, it's my family, but for others it may be exercise, faith, or even as simple as a quiet cup of coffee in the morning...It's about knowing the true value of life - and for each of us, it is different!

Happy Halloween to you as well. Thanks for posting.

Emily

Seeing those 3 cuties in your picture, should allow anyone to understand family comes first.

Emily, You have some cuties there! I loved that I could spend time with my boys and still have a fantastic career. My kids were my top "appointment" priority :) Even though they are in their mid 20's now they are still my "top appointment priority" :) It is always about balance - Have a great day!!

Great blog Emily! Why is it that people forget we have families? It is easy to get consumed with work, if you let it. There is nothing more important than family for me, and family time is valuable. If someone can't understand that, oh well... that's not someone I want to work with.

Gosh, it's SO refreshing to hear from so many agents who have the same philosophy...Sometimes I feel like I lose business because of it...But, I sure don't miss hugs and I guess that's the most important!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your sentiments.

Warmly,

Emily

NOV

2007

Hi Emily: I'm a workaholic, and I love it. Real estate is my passion and my life. My husband is the same way about his profession. But that doesn't make me available 24/7. However, during working hours, which for me are 7 AM to 7 PM, I always respond to phone calls and e-mails. Outside of those hours, not so much. But we all have to draw our own lines in the sand.

Hi Elizabeth

You SO hit it! It IS about drawing the line in the sand and knowing where you find the most happiness and satisfaction. And for a lot of people, it IS in their careers...And that is totally awesome! My "complex" if you will, is that I feel like Real Estate attracts folks such as yourself (who find wonderful satisfaction in work) and for someone like me, it's tough to compete with even though I love my job, too. So, I say "rock on" to you - go get 'em, achieve and relish in your success. You deserve it!

Warmest Regards and Very Best Wishes

Emily

NOV

2007

Emily, I had to reply to your post. What a nice looking family. Making time to be with them is something that cannot be replaced. My wife and I are now empty nester's, and we don't look back and say" I wish I spent more time at the Office....

I too am a NAAR (not always available Realtor). I answer phones at least once an hour and turn it off after 7:30 most nights. I have a wonderful wife who is also in Real Estate, on the title side at an attorneys office, and we need US time. I have seen so many things in here on AR that says be available or don't get the business...I don't believe it. People who want to work with me, will. I make it clear that I have a life outside of Real Estate when I start a relationship with them. Its about the only part of my ERA start up training that I still use. They taught us the HOW I WORK speech, and it is invaluable.

I really believe in being where you are. When my wife and I have dinner out, I want it to be just us. No interruptions. And after 7 PM at night, there is no business that is unscheduled going on. I don't allow it. IF this means I don't get some of the deals, then so be it. What other profession is available like this. I think in here its called being a POP TART Realtor. Not me, and I will go further to say that the majority of the Emergency calls do wait, and could have waited till later. I we educate our customers, and do our job efficiently while we are supposed to be working, it will balance out... Thanks for letting me ramble on /Mike

Way to prioritize, Emily! They grow up way too fast to put them on the back burner. My two boys are balanced on the edge of our nest...which gives me more time to focus on business, but doesn't mean that I don't still make sure to always have time for them. Family is too important to me. Agents are told all the time that if they want their business to grow and become successful, they have to put that ahead of everything else. My feeling is that the same holds true for your family. If you want them to grow and succeed, you have to put your kids first. Career paths can be changed or re-reouted--look how many of us enter the real estate field after a variety of other career choices! But you really only get one shot at raising a family--and at the end of the day, that's what really matters.

I used to describe the "job" of motherhood this way: Being a mom is a full-time job. The pay sucks, but the benefits are more precious than gold!

Rock on, Mama! You've got it right

I have been struggling with my schedule for a few weeks now, sometimes I think people just need to hear it from someone else with similar goals before they can make that leap. Thank you for being that person to me.

Mike - I love your "ramble!" So many things you said are just perfect - there really is not another profession like ours (and that's why we love, it, right? but also why we have to fight certain stigmas). You know, I find (not surprisingly) that most of my clients are young with young children - and THEY aren't available either! Every day my kids amaze me more and more and I just am not willing to compromise them for a lost deal or two; And, honestly, I think sometimes I WIN clients because I put my family first - they respect that....Anyway, thanks for commenting.

NAAR,

Emily

Hi Kim! Wow - I've never thought of it quite like that - careers ebb and flow but being a Mama (or Dada) is one-time deal. Gosh, that makes it even clearer in my head than before! Thanks!!!

Have a great day!

Emily

Gosh, Amy, That's the coolest thing ever! I'm so honored! You know, sometimes I think about my life, my energy, my efforts, my time etc like a compass - My Family is MY NORTH - Remember, North is constant and north is true and if you know which way is North, you know where you're headed. The rest of the stuff that comes along plays into my North, but it never replaces it. When in doubt, go North!

Amy, good luck and thanks for commenting!

Emily

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