The best way for me to lower the stress in my business is to deal with banks AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

and find a niche.

Many of us are very driven people and want to be successful whether it is in a listing presentation, working with a buyer to present a winning offer, or negotiating a contract.  In my world I think all of those are good things, but I sometimes see agents putting stress on themselves over the possibility of losing the commission.  Once we learn to put the commission aspect aside and deal only with the issue at hand, then I think we remove a large amount of the stress (and do a better and credible job for the client!).

Missy,

Good post and good advice!

I too believe in finding your personal niche and referring out those that don't fit. It doesn't always work back when I had an office in Kalamazoo I tried hard to avoid listing single family homes. Some people insisted I take their listings so I charged them 10% and put either a Bridgeway or Chicago Connection sign on them (I had an associate brokers licences whit both of them) and I still never got rid of them.

As a mortgage broker I referred out FHA loans for 15 out of the last 20 years. "Know what you want" well said.

"Train your clients" yes, from day one!

"Control your time" good advice but personally I might have said, know your priorities.

One of my pet peeves is cell phones, if a salesman drops in on me and then takes phone calls he's not going to sell me anything, if he had an appointment I'm not going to take calls until were through.

"Systemize" we are in the people business. I don't want to deal with those scripted salesmen that have to start over if someone interrupts. I'm equally sure there is as much wisdom as foolishness in this statement, I'll reserve judgement for the system.

I'll look forward to hearing more from you, besides good advice Midwesterners write without an accent.

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

http://www.reii.org

I think the best way are:

Educating the buyers/sellers of procedure.  Perhaps suggesting them of one of your known lenders etc with whom you have a smooth business relationship going.

If you have enough business, hiring a qualified personal assistant can be a great asset.  You should have someone back in office to take care of all the stuff while you are out doing the real thing (prospecting, generating more business).  The right assistant can be handle phone calls/feedbacks to running errands like pick up/ drop-off property docs, flyers etc etc.   

And another important thing in real estate business is now keeping up with the use of technology.  It can change the way of business.  Like handhelds giving you freedom to get out of sitting in front of computer 24-7.

Thanks & Good Luck!

Thanks for your posts all. I do have an assistant, one for 9 years. A rarity in this profession !

Michael Gerbbers book  The E-Myth Changed my life. 10 years ago. What I mean by systemitize the things we do for each client. Birthday cards, anniversary cards, newsletters, drip campaigns, follow-up survays, end of year HUD forms etc...........

It makes our life easier and we don't have to think about those things we do over and over again. Should Betty ever retire ( God Forbid ) We already know how the MissyCaulkTEAM works for the day to day activities.

Bill, I agree with you on the cell phone. I never take calls when I am with a client. However, I have found the younger gen x'er do and think it is totally fine, if I do.

"Has anyone else got idea's on how to enjoy our career with less stress ?"

Jack Daniels? :) I'm kidding and not making light of anyone with a drinking problem.

For me/us, MAKING time for the kids is critical. And if that means not being able to make a listing appointment, then so be it. My kids are worth WAY more than a commission check. (Though it took awhile to get to the point where we could do this)

Educating clients as mentioned, is really really important.

A world record for blog commenting!

http://www.ThompsonsRealty.com
http://www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com

Missy, I enjoyed reading this post. You hit the nail on the head. It took me several years, the 90's, to come to these realizations. Planning, Preparing and Persistance.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.  Most people think we hang out at the office all day and then go and look at pretty houses.  I think all of the TV shows about REALTORS over glamourize it and make it look easy.

Good post Missy!!!  We need to exercise and eat healthy to fight off stress also.  Take care of our bodies so that it may take care of the strees that we deal with on a daily basis.

Alas, regardless of the profession, success often goes hand in hand with stress.  Even those that love their profession can be stressed when they are strivers and achievers.

I know this was popsted already, but if you don't exercise regularly you should start.  It releases endorphines, which reduce stress.  It also takes your mind off your business for a while.  And if you work out in a gym, you might even pick up more clients.

I agree, I work out 5 days per week.

Missy-  Great Blog !!  I think that most people that are not Real Estate Agents don't realize how stressfull this work is.

I'm with you on the foreclosure properties !!  I don't like getting involved in the foreclosure business for several reasons...the main reason is that it's more hassles than what it's worth.

Missy - great advice and post.

I have to say (and glad to say it), after 16 years in the corporate world, that I have yet to experience the kind of stressful feelings I had as a Human Resources executive, even with the difficult transactions. Perhaps it's because those periods don't last, but the stressful stuff in the business world can go on for months without let-up. Try working for a major company that is falling apart, or getting sold, or has acquired twice as many employees in a buy-out - UGH. The good things is that you still get paid during all this.

Didn't see the list - perhaps that job is at the top!!!  LOL

Stress is the one thing that makes me think of retirement more and more these days.  I have got to get a handle on the stress.  All of the above are good suggestions.  My problem is starting a routine and keeping it up.

Missy.... I read your blog and some great points. However, I didn't read any of the comments.... I usually do, but I spent over 6 hours on the computer last night, up until 2 am, working on this weeks in review for active rain. Take a peak.  But what I wanted to say is...how about this....  Don't work.... lol

Seriously though, you had some great ideas and I believe in the drip campaign very much so.  Just curious, on this list, who else was on there? Do you have a link to this?

In regards to your daughter, I guess we all think and say this as we get older. I think and say the same things to my employees, that they have it easier....  that you can learn more easier.....  get hands on....  have experienced people teach you....technology is better and more efficient, etc etc.  Good post.

"being a realtor is in the top 15 occupations for stress " - that comes as no surprise - it's usually induced by encountering unqualified people in the transaction!

Less stress and more success...I think the key is improving the quality of your success team.

Your success team is anyone that contributes to your success or your stress.  Lenders, clients, your broker, appraisers, title companies, referral partners...just recognizing that you have a team and starting to improve it makes all the difference.

You are sooooo right. There are so many areas to work in. When should know about the many different areas and develop realtionships with the people who are the best. A referral fee, no work and less stress is more profitable that the whoile enchilada and all the aggravation.

As a loan officer , I do not like to work woith sub-prime borrowers. I have a specialist on my team that does this very well. Ironically, she does not like to deal with prime borrowers. This helps us both and eliminates alot of stress.

Great post.

The great thing about real estate is that we really can work when we want and take time off when we want or need it. If you don't set limits for yourself, no one else will.

So many times we hear people say that if you want a carrer in real estate you must be available 24/7 and while this may be true while you are getting your business off the gound, you must remember that while a career in real estate is important, a career in life is more so.
Kuddos to your post and your suggestions.

This is a great post.  I love the real estate profession but it certainly has a high level of stress.  My only advice is that remaining calm will carry over to other people.  If I act stressed my client will get stressed. 

I've enjoyed working with all my clients in the past. Some more stressful than others. The transactions that is.... I learnt to not take things too personally because sometimes when deals are flying out the windows, people get emotional. They might say things that they otherwise wouldnt. So, I've learnt to NOT take it personally.

Also, I schedule to take time off from people. I'm an introvert and I need to recharge in my home - away from the hustle and bustle. I find that I come back stronger. (PS: I recharge by having quiet times: praying. My soul is alot less stressful that way).

Extremely good points.  I think in this age of technology taking a break from work is so hard.  Cell phones ring all hours, laptops can go with you out of town, email can be responded to last thing before bed, etc.  It is no wonder clients expect to reach us at all hours when they receive emails from us at 10pm!  Thanks for the reminder to set boundaries!

Missy great post!  It isso true!  Take time to smell the roses!  Take a vacation without feeling guilty.  Refer out some leads, say no to listings you really do not need.

Jim,  thanks for stopping by, I wrote this when I first started on activerain. It was featured, didn't know what featured was, didn't know what commenting was as you can see. Lots of learning in 6 months.

Missy,

You make excellent points that I hope many agents follow. One of the biggest differences I see between commercial and residential is the unfortunate inconsiderate expectation of home buyer. From my conversations, and blogs here on AR, the residential buyer does not always treat the agent or the process professionally. They expect contact, or conversation at any second, without concern for your schedule.

You have taken the right approach by deciding what is of greatest value to you,and your clients, and presenting yourself as a professional who's time is important.

James, thanks for the encouragement.

Jim, I do as I go to our cottage on the weekends, and have turned down 4 listings in the last month.

Tina, I am Outback not Denny's Open 24/7