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"ON TIME" and I'm not Talking About Being On Time

By
Mortgage and Lending with Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 NMLS ID# 158606

Life Doesn't get much sweeter if you master ON TIMEI just posted a blog over the weekend titled...YOUR Gut Will Move YOUR BUTT!.  In that post I referenced the concept of "On Time".  Since that post a number of people commented, but I was surprised to have a number of people reach out to me to discuss how I, in particular, use On Time.  So...without further adieu.....

ON TIME

is a concept where you work on your business....not in it.  Rules for effective on time?

  1. What you are going to work on must be pre-established.  In other words, you can't allocate time to work on your business without knowing what, exactly, you are going to work on.  So, over the course of a week or two prior to my ON TIME, I set aside projects, thoughts, plans and ideas that need to be worked on during my on time.  When I walk in for ON TIME, I know exactly what I'm going to work on;
  2. I go to a quiet location to work.  I tell my office that I'm out for the afternoon and I tell my spouse that I"m unavailable for that time as well.  I go to a library or hotel lobby and do two imporatant things:
  3. I leave the phone in the car.  While it's a necessity, it's also quite liberating.  I love that I've disappeared, only to work on improving my business.  How fun!  I'm a realist though.  If I've scheduled 4 hours of "ON TIME for that week, I'll take a break half way through to return phone calls.  But...when done....the phone goes back in the car.  If you can't step away from your phone like this, you need ON TIME more than anyone else;
  4. Computer.  I'll take my computer to work on stuff, but I will turn off my e-mail, or disconnect from wireless.  It may be that I need to write e-mails b/c of ideas that have come from ON TIME, but I can't begin a downward spiral of engagement with some e-mail exchange or barrage.  So, I send them with the e-mail disconnected.  At the end of my ON TIME, I will connect and have them all sent.

A war is not won overnight, but with ON TIME, I can move forward quickly.  I've done just that in this business this year.  I have put my goals as a 125% increase in income this year.  For that, I"m excited....I'm thrilled, but in truth, I could never accomplish it, unless I had dedicated time often....to work on my business....and not in it!

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Comments (21)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great post and wonderful words of wisdom you are right we do need some on time for ourselves. Thanks for sharing.

Feb 15, 2012 04:03 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
Such an important concept! It is way too easy to get caught up in the constant interruptions of email and phone and the millions of details in real estate...only to realize we've not allowed any time and energy to do the crucial planning, strategizing, analyzing work.
Feb 15, 2012 04:07 AM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

I leave my phone in the car when I am doing a listing presentation and I do not have call waiting on my main line. So In a way I am acting in a focused manner in these aspects of my business. I like the way you extended this focus to everything and you have shared your results

Feb 15, 2012 04:12 AM
dave bothell
NATIONAL REALTY CENTERS - Westland, MI

GREAT TIME LINE ! NO MATTER WHAT ITS CALLED. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO HIDE AND GET YOUR "WHAT EVER" DONE! IF IT IS WORK,FAMILY OR YOU ! GO HIDE AND GET IT DONE!! GOOD JOB.

Feb 15, 2012 04:19 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

The phone becomes an extension of ourselves it's difficult to do anything without it. I've taken to leaving my phone in my car when I go on listing appointments or meet with customers. Now I can apply that to working On Time--great concept! 

Feb 15, 2012 04:58 AM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

Wow, Wow, Wow!!!! I love this, and I am going to try it. It's going to be tough -- I have to admit. Disconnecting from the phone and internet??? At the same time??? But I can do it. Thanks for the great idea, Larry!

Feb 15, 2012 05:13 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Larry I don't think the war with time is ever won.  Not when working for ourselves like we do. Years ago when I worked a 9-5 job I could and would just say clocked out day is done.   

Feb 15, 2012 06:12 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Jan...I can't tell you how great it is in modern society. I have 3 hours allocated this week!

Pat....for your business!

Nancy...we do get caught up!

All Mountain...I do that all the time too. When meeting people its great to not be rude!

Dave...thanks!

Pam...thanks!

Peggy....I would love if you or someone would report back their results!  REALLY!

John...what's the expression...with a blink of an eye...

Feb 15, 2012 06:23 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Larry -- thank you for the excellent explanation of how you use ON TIME to better program what needs to be done, and get it done in a way that benefits your business.  In my mind it is like a power packed "To Do" list - all of which benefits the business.   Thanks again.

Feb 15, 2012 06:32 AM
Bud & Beth McKinney
RE/MAX UNITED - Cary, NC
Cary/Raleigh/Apex NC - The Team That Cares, RE/MAX United

Great post Larry. It's amazing how difficult it is for some people (myself included) to get away from their phones and emails. I have not tried all too often just because I worry about missing an important call, but that time to think on What I am setting time aside for is a great thing to start doing

Feb 15, 2012 08:38 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Terrific post...you just outlined what it means to edit the constant and "no time" surge of this post-internet world.   Without editing, there can be no true information and so no true engagement.   Well done, you!!!!

Feb 15, 2012 09:29 AM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

Great concept to use to help focus. Well written.

Feb 15, 2012 01:56 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

I agree it is very important to get time to work on the business and to take a break from working in the business.

Feb 15, 2012 01:58 PM
Jamie R. Bell
Bell Realty Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NEP - Glastonbury, CT
Your Central CT Realtor

Larry~Awesome post & idea! Until it is pointed out I find I don't realize how much I work in my business or forget. Time to change my schedule and plan for some ON TIME! Thanks for sharing!

Feb 15, 2012 01:59 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Larry - I am the one who can't imagine doing it. I envy you, but I am not sure I would be able to do it.

Feb 15, 2012 02:13 PM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

If you are in business, you are the business, customer service means answering the phone when it rings. When I get a voice message, very rarly do I leave a message, it's something I can't stand. The agents that do and wait hours later, I can't stand either. To me it says YOU DONT CARE....

Feb 15, 2012 02:24 PM
Joe Kenny
Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL
Better Than Your Average Joe

Brilliant.  Time is the one thing you can't get back and the phone and people in your office will take it from you.  It's a good life.

Feb 15, 2012 02:32 PM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

DO IT! Thats how everything gets done. Someone says I can and then DOES and thats how results happen.

Feb 15, 2012 02:44 PM
Michael S. Bolton
Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
MN Appraiser

Larry~Great explanation, I so glad that you expanded on it from your earlier post. I totally agree with working on your business. it makes all of the difference.

Have an awesome day!

Feb 16, 2012 12:58 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

OMG that is such an adorable photo (had to start with that!)...I always say work smart not hard....I need to put away my BB earlier than 11pm each night!

Feb 16, 2012 01:43 AM