Is real estate your life? Do you sign listings at 8pm, hold open houses every Sunday afternoon, jump in the car and rush to show a buyer your listings at the drop of a hat? Is real estate your life, or do you have a life? My intent isn't to offend, though I'm sure some will be offended. I was reading a blog on our local newspaper forum, and a local real estate agent/broker posted this comment:
"Agents who turn OFF their phone on holidays and evenings will not last in coming years."
I find this sad, but I think he may be in the majority. I'm amazed at how many area agents seem to work...whenever. Another agent on the forum mentioned how she often has tickets to a play, sporting event, or concert and has the tickets go to waste as she needs to present an offer. 
Real estate doesn't have to be your life. I believe it should be the avenue to funding the life you want. Gary Keller is big on finding your "Big Why." Why do you do what you do? Everybody has different answers, and every answer is "right." In the classes I've taught and panels I've moderated, I've yet to hear an answer for the "Big Why" be:
"I'm in real estate because I'm lonely at night and want to work instead of be at home. I hate weekends, so I figure if I work them they won't be special at all. My time means nothing to me, so if I'm always at the beck and call of my phone, I won't really have any personal time at all. Besides, I spend too much time with my kids anyway."
Real estate, as any "self-employed" position, can make it very tempting to simply always be on the clock. If you don't have set boundaries, hours that you will and will not work, methods in which to pre-qual a sign call, what's keeping you from working 60 hr weeks? Maybe you like doing that, that's fine. I know far more agents who complain about not having time to themselves than I know agents who love working all hours.
If you don't know how to say no, if you haven't found your cell phone's off button yet, if checking your email is like nicotine, you may need help. Keller Williams isn't the answer for everybody. Our model won't work for every agent, and not every agent is a good match for us. But we do operate under the philosophy that real estate should give you a life, not be your life. We want you to own a business, not have a job as a door opener. KW's "Quantum Leap" is a fantastic 2 day seminar giving real tips and models and dialogues that will allow you to prioritize your life and your business. It's not a sales pitch, there's nothing to buy, just an effort by an owner who cares to make sure his company's agents are balanced, contributing citizens.
If you are a KW agent, make sure you attend the Quantum Leap in your area. If you're not with KW, find a KW agent whom you like/trust and ask them when/where QL will be in your area. It's 2 days out of your schedule that will give you a schedule you want for the rest of your career.
I know KW and Gary Keller isn't the only ones who believe this. I'd be curious to hear what other thoughts you all have on maintaining sanity in real estate. Can you have a successful career and work the hours you want to work? How?
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