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.
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