Special offer

2008: The Year I Treat My Family Like Clients

By
Real Estate Agent with Homesmart

Yes, you read that right.  I did not misplace any nouns.  2008 will mark the year that I endeavor to treat my family like clients.

Oh, the things my wife puts up with being married to a Realtor.  She did agree to love, honor and watch me wander away in mid-conversation when the cell phone rings, but she most likely assumed the minister was kidding.  If anything, Pastor Ron was underselling.

Odd hours, interrupted dinners, last minute scrapping of plans ... we've run the gamut.  I won't complain, as the hectic life of a Real Estate family has provided us much.  I won't shortchange the sacrifices that my family makes for me either, however.

Who hasn't used the old cliche about treating clients like family?  I know I certainly have.  I still do as a matter of fact.  I mean it when I say it, but I have come to find it inaccurate in it's insufficiency.

I treat my clients better than I treat my own loved ones.  There, I said it.  Clients get the best of me, and my family collects whatever is left at the end of the day. 

Imagine if we really did treat our clients like family. 

  • Would we ever leave a listing appointment abruptly to take our children to the park? 
  • Would we ever walk out of a signing to field an urgent "Hi Daddy!" call from our toddlers? 
  • Would we ever impatiently wave off an inquisitive client while our spouse regales us with a phone report of the day's events?
  • Would we ever take out our frustrations at home on our clients?

No, we wouldn't.  This is an in-demand business, and our clients warrant our full attention. 

Flip the script, however, and I will tell you unabashedly that my family often gets put on the backburner when business calls.  I justify the diversions as the sole means of putting food on our collective table, and rightfully so.  Yet I can't help but feel ashamed for putting the needs of strangers before those of my own family.  Financial needs are only part of the equation in a happy, healthy household. While I am often present, I'm not all there.  Undivided attention is what I owe, and that balance is spiraling out of control. 

It's time to pay down my debt.

It is far too easy to take loved ones for granted.  You see them every day.  You can make up for a lack of attention today with something else tomorrow.  Or the day after that.  Perhaps next week sometime.

No more of that.

I will strive to make 2008 a year in which my family is afforded the same focus, attentiveness and good humor as my business.  My clients will get the same level of service that they have come to expect from me.  The long and odd hours will not change.  What will change is my increased scheduling of family time in the form of ironclad appointments.  Tuesday afternoon from 2-3 PM at the Railroad Park will go into the calendar with the rest of my business appointments.  Thursday mornings from 6-8 AM with the boys will as well.  I will schedule the dreaded date night with my wife.  God, that makes me feel old, but I'm doing it! 

These appointments will be cast in stone, just like everything else in my book.

I will continue to work weekends.  I will continue to work evenings.  I will continue to work whenever I am called.

Unless I have an appointment with a very demanding client at the choo-choo park.

 

   Top Priority Clients for 2008!

 

 

 

Paul Slaybaugh is your Scottsdale AZ Real Estate Professional.  Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ home buyers and sellers since 1999.

Comments (109)

Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
Paul- As a mother of 6 children and just like Missy, I have not missed any events. Like she said, I schedule them in as appointments. I also schedule my date nights in with Nestor as appointments. I have always hired others to take over where I can not longer do a good job for our clients. Being that both Nestor and I are in the business together it was a struggle to not be over available. We keep each other in check now. And you already know that you and I disagree on the amount of availability we offer our customers. I give them certain hours in which to call me and I have never ever lost a client over that. I tell them I do not work on Sundays, that is church and family time, I have never lost a customer over that. I tell them I have 6 kids and that I homeschool between set hours and they fully respect that and I have never lost a customer over that. Because when I am with that customer they get all of me. They feel that and they know that. Once I believed that boundaries were good, well, I attracted those who believed this also. It was amazing how I got matched up with the buyers and sellers who accepted and appreciated my boundaries. Now, usually if you can not reach me you can reach Nestor and visa versa, we cover for each other. But I promise you your life will be blessed if you keep this wonderful resolution you made in this post and congrats on the feature! It is well deserved. Katerina
Dec 27, 2007 04:38 PM
Joe Cline
Affinity Properties, Inc - Austin, TX

Paul - You have a wonderful family. I do the same thing and just decided to make the same resolution. I know it will be hard when summer comes and it's time to make the doughnuts, but my family is the most important thing. Glad you are going to reprioritize as I'm sure your family is.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year! 

Dec 28, 2007 09:02 AM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT
Paul-What a wonderful resolution this is.  Our families should never be put on the back burner in our lives.  If I were to say that never happens in my family I would be completely full of it.  This past year has served to be very rewarding with business and time away from family.  I have made that same promise to myself and my family that they will no longer be put second.  For the past 2 weeks that has been part of my life's journey.  Collecting my plan for 2008 and making sure my loved ones are not taken for granted.  Thank you Paul for sharing you honesty. It's very clear of the love you have for your family and the support your sweet wife gives you.  Now you have opened that door to many here who were struggling with the same thing.  Happy New Year to YOU and your darling family. 
Dec 28, 2007 09:04 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
Paul - I have included this post in the weekly wrapup for Family Ties.  Thanks!
Dec 28, 2007 11:35 AM
"Tommy" Decebal
HomeSpector Inc. 516-851-5833 - Farmingdale, NY
Adamescu Long Island NY MASTER Home Inspector

Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.

Tommy   New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY Nassau/Suffolk/Queens Home Inspections

Dec 28, 2007 02:47 PM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

Suzanne:  That is about the only way to make it all work.  Best of luck to you in 2008!

Christina:  It is a tough position to be in when you are just starting.  Hard to really grow your business if you aren't always ready to drop everything when the phone rings.  I wish fortunate to start young in this business with no other infringements upon my time.  Now that I have a family of my own, things are a bit different.  Best of luck to you in figuring it out in 2008.

Bryan:  Thanks, buddy!

Lisa:  You touched upon one of my biggest faults.  I often zone them out even when I am around.  Either the computer or the cell phone tends to get my full attention, and my wife gets the very same uh huh type of responses from me.  She needs to know that she is more than just a distraction from work, and I will focus on that for the coming year.  Best of luck to you as well.

Ardell:  Wow, that really reinforces the importance of making this change. 

Midori:  I hope I can be as committed to this path as you apparently have been.  The important thing you said here was that we cannot get time back.  It is far too easy to fall into the trap where we assume that we will work like maniacs for a few years, and then relax a bit and enjoy the family when we are at a comfortable place.  Our little ones are constantly changing, so once certain stages of their lives are missed, there's no getting them back.  There is also the risk of growing apart from our spouses during that period.  By the time you try to reconnect, it might be too late.  I don't plan on ever making such mistakes.

Gregory:  It can be downright disheartening when you look around at all of the divorced Realtors out there. 

Mike:  That is one crazy schedule you were keeping!  You are right that this business is not necessarily taught properly to new agents.  Perhaps an emphasis on productivity should be placed above the quantity of hours worked.  How many agents do you know who are in the office all week ... bs'ing by the water cooler, just waiting for the phone to ring? 

Susan:  Exactly.

Elaine:  Thanks.  Though many times, the terms seem interchangeable!  I had no grey hair until 2 years ago.

Mike:  Good luck to both of us in implementing changes in 2008.

Thomas:  Bingo!  Everyone appreciates the flexible schedule from the outside, but we have to be malleable to the general public.  Not quite what we signed up for, huh?

 

 

Dec 29, 2007 01:45 AM
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA
True success isn't measured in dollars & cents. It's good to step back & appreciate the good people we've taken the journey with. Enjoy that wonderful family & take the time to rejuvenate yourself when you need it. Happy '08!
Dec 29, 2007 07:03 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Paul...

Did you know that this post has a destiny?

"What"...You say..."A Destiny"?

Yes. It's destiny is a category we call "Classic Active Rain" :)

Elderberry! Whoa. Haven't seen that little sucka in a long time. Thanks Code Monkeys :)

TLW...ROAR!

Dec 29, 2007 07:16 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

Vanessa:  We'll have to form a support group here!  Let's all try to hold each other to these priorities. 

Ginger:  For sure.  I won't ever get that confused again.

Ryan:  Thanks for your perspective.  It gives me confidence that I can attain this balance when I see others who have implemented similar strategies successfully.

Mary:  That is very true.  We worry so much about offending or alienating clients, but we often don't think twice about dismissing family members out of hand.  Taking someone for granted is a terrible habit.

Katharine:  You are right that those funny moments can oftenbe beneficial.  The client actually looks at you as a real person.  If anything, the occasional interruption from home could help strengthen the bond with clients.  And if they are put out ... they can get the heck out of my car!

Katerina:  Thank you!  I can't even fathom juggling 6 kids.  My two are plenty.  I really don't expect any trouble from clients with this.  It's more getting past my own mental hurdle.  If I schedule my family time like I do my business appointments, it's easy to tell others that I am simply booked at a certain time should someone ask.

Joe:  Best of luck with your resolution.  It is painfully obvious that we have plenty of likeminded company.

Julie:  Happy New Year (soon), and best of luck in implementing your new plan.  I doubt you will have much trouble, as I know you are quite in tune with your family as it is.  I know how much harder it is to reserve time for yourself when you are relatively new in the business, however. 

Jason:  Thanks, buddy!

Tommy:  Right back at you, man.

Peter:  Thank you kindly, and have a great 2008 yourself.

TLW:  Thanks for the endorsement.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again here.  I can't hear the word elderberry without thinking of Monty Python and the Holy Grail:  "Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries!"  Classic.  Best of luck with your own life change.  Kicking nicotine is no joke.

 

Dec 29, 2007 01:29 PM
William Moore
Innovative Realty - Londonderry, NH
Nobody needs to know who is on the other end of the phone.  If you got a call from one client while at an appointment for another client would you find a way to respond quickly?
Dec 29, 2007 01:30 PM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate
I usually don't take many calls when I am face to face with a client, William, but your point is well taken. 
Dec 29, 2007 01:35 PM
Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL
Nothing is more important than your family. Clients come and go, and while we do our best to always be available to serve their needs, the bottom line is that we need to pay the most attention to those in our lives that matter the most. That trip to the choo choo park is extremely important. I know an attorney whose mom was a real estate agent...and he said that while he was proud of his mom and all she accomplished, what he most remembered about his growing up years is that she was never really "there". Sure, she was there sitting in the stands watching his baseball games, but often she was on the phone with a client. Was she paying attention? Nope. Being "there" is only part of it. You need to be there in mind, body and spirit - it sounds like you are on the right track!
Dec 30, 2007 01:18 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate
I know that drill, Kelly.  We don't get points just for showing up.  If I am not actively involved with them and their pursuits, they'll know it.  I will, too.  That's not the way I want to be.  Thanks for stopping by, and have a great new year!
Dec 30, 2007 06:13 AM
Tucson Real Estate Experts Anne McKechnie
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Tucson, AZ
Previews Property Specialist

great post...I have the same one this year. Your children will grow up fast and then you are left with why didn't I do this and that

 

Anne

Dec 31, 2007 01:46 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate
Good luck with your resolution, Anne.  I can't think of one that is more important.
Dec 31, 2007 04:26 AM
Shirley Byrd-Solem
Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate - Roseburg, OR

Paul, I loved your Blogg.  I have felt so guilty about the lack of attention I give the wonderful man I have been married to for 48 years while lavishing my clients with total attention.

Thank you for saying what is so difficult for me to even think.  I too am going to treat my family like my clients!  You have inspired me to do what is correct.

 

Jan 01, 2008 11:14 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate
Shirley, if this post has helped you in any way, shape or form, I am forever grateful to have this terrific platform that allowed it.  Something tells me that after 48 years of marriage you must do a far better job than you give yourself credit for.  I can't imagine any marriage standing such a remarkable test of time without the requisite devotion and attentiveness.  I will certainly have to keep an eye on your blog for any pearls of wisdom that you have acquired over those years.  Thank you for your comments, Shirley, and I hope 2008 is your finest year yet.
Jan 01, 2008 12:36 PM
Shirley Byrd-Solem
Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate - Roseburg, OR

Paul, thank you for your kind words.  I read your blog to my beloved after I responded to it and I also gave him my comments.  Today we spent the day together and it is a perfectg beginning to a wonderful New Year.  I like 2008, I like active rain and I really like the sensitivity of this community.  Again, thank you for the heartfelt, difficult, and oh so truthful blog.  You have been instrumental in change of lives.

Shirley

Jan 01, 2008 04:41 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
It's so great to see so many people really evaluating their priorities as we pierce the beginning of this new year. I pray that everyone continue to constantly reevaluate their priorities and make adjustments as necessary.
Jan 01, 2008 05:19 PM
David Dee
RMX REALTY - Alhambra, CA
Real Estate - San Gabriel Valley (L.A.) & N. Orang

Paul,

First off, happy new year! Nice post. It is so true what you have layed out here. Sometimes, we do let the career get in the ways of our personal and family lives and we accidentally take them for granted. A balance is life is indeed a welcoming sensation. It is easy to lose sight of our family with all the hassle and busy work that are being tended to daily. Yes, family  = clients = success = happiness.

Dave

Jan 03, 2008 05:40 PM