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Load the Big Rocks First!

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

Load the Big Rocks First!

 

Years ago I heard a real estate instructor say - just load your big rocks first!  I remember looking at him and thinking, what on earth is this dude talking about? Well it didn't take him long to explain the concept to us.....

 

Take out your calendars and load your big rocks first!  In today's world that probably means going online and loading your big rocks versus the old fashioned calendars (or business planners -  remember those big a** books we used to carry around just to stay on top of things - oh how I loved mine)!! Now I can't imagine carrying a big book around!

 

Write in as many of the big events such as conferences or vacations etc that you have already planned or are planning on attending this year. After that start loading in your ongoing weekly or monthly meetings. From there load in all your projects such as monthly newsletters, marketing, prospecting, holiday events or activities, coffees/lunches you plan to have with clients etc etc etc. And don't forget to 'pencil' in time for clients each day!!

 

Are you seeing the picture? All of a sudden your calendar is going to fill up and look very busy - but - you'll have an excellent 'picture' of the entire year. Now you'll be able to plan around all the ' big rocks' and you'll most likely experience a lot more free time than normal as well as not feel like you're running around like a chicken with it's head cut off  (trust me on this)!

 

If you're like a lot of agents you might be kind  of hit or miss with your business activities and advance planning, right?  And when that happens it's not so easy to keep the important and extremely critical aspects of marketing and prospecting heading in the right direction on a timely basis. In fact often times mailings don't get out or phone calls don't get made. I know this as it's happened to me!  Just go ahead,  just give 'Loading Your Big Rocks First' a try and see how much it will improve your business and life in 2018.  Good luck!

 

Load the Big Rocks First!

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Comments(70)

Betsy N. Robinson - Serving the Sandhills, NC
Everything Pines Partners, LLC. - Whispering Pines, NC
CNS

Great advice, Anna - How often do we loose sight of the big picture when all the unexpected details come flying consistently at us seeminlgy designed to knock one off course!  Usually everyday, and then we find the year has passed with certain ciritcal objectives unmet.  Yes, get those big rocks set first!

Jan 04, 2018 11:45 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I love that concept Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB . It helps me to have everything loaded into my calendar.  I am buried in pretty good with this blizzard right now, so nothing can be done

Jan 04, 2018 01:18 PM
Corey Martin
Martin Presence Group - Ruston, LA
Real Estate and Management Solutions

Thank you for this awesome tip! It may be difficult, but I will try to utilize this idea and see how it works out for me.

Jan 04, 2018 02:48 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I learned a long time ago to schedule the things that I had to do and really wanted to do first. Then work my way around them with everything else.

Jan 04, 2018 05:09 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Love your title, Anna, and the point you make is valid. My 2018 vacations are scheduled (May, Sept, Nov); two business conferences are scheduled (Feb and July) my monthly marketing activities are scheduled 6 months out. It's the only way that works for me.

Jan 04, 2018 07:57 PM
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I've heard this many times. I understand it. I agree with it. But I still have to constantly evaluate my life and ensure I am practicing it!

Jan 05, 2018 05:21 AM
Ron Barnes
Associate Broker at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties - Jasper, GA
"Most agents claim they're #1 - I THINK YOU'RE #1!

Great analogy! Thanks!

Jan 05, 2018 05:44 AM
John Slocum
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Vancouver Washington - Vancouver, WA
Broker, SFR - Vancouver WA Real Estate

Hi Anna, the words and the pictures anchor the concept exceptionally well.  Thank you and have a Successful and Happy New Year!

Jan 05, 2018 05:02 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Such a smart cookie you are, adding in your hiking - I love that - what a novel idea, Anna! 

Hope you & Gary have a wonderful weekend!

Jan 05, 2018 10:49 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I guess I better get to loading my big rocks Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB 

Jan 05, 2018 11:18 PM
Dan Derito
Success! Real Estate - Brockton, MA

This is great advice Anna. I'm going to start filling in my 2018 Appointment Book with important events this afternoon. 

Jan 06, 2018 07:28 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Love that Anna. One of the reasons that new agents fail is they get mired down in the minutia and fail to pay attention to the big important tasks.

Jan 08, 2018 05:50 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Just had to see what this one was about!  I like that idea!

Jan 09, 2018 07:02 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Anna,

Sounds like the scaffolding to hang the rest of your year on.

Jan 09, 2018 07:40 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB I do something similar to that.... but mine is just like Beth Atalay 's method.... "old school".... 

Jan 11, 2018 05:25 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Anna, 

Great blog, especially if you have never worked in a corporate structure. Start at the 30,000 foot level and work down.  I load everything on a computerized calendar and print my daily calendar from that. I hand write everything than scan it all at the end of the month for filing. 

Jan 11, 2018 09:21 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Anna, this is great advice and a good strategy for making time for all things big and small!

Jan 11, 2018 11:11 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Anna, Great advise from a wise instructor.   Makes a lot of sense.  I have to say, after I read the title I had a vision of a pick up truck with rocks in the back.  Lol!

Jan 11, 2018 02:04 PM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Great analogy Anna Banana! :) Thank you for sharing!

 

Jan 11, 2018 03:44 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I am so glad I stumbled on this post and Anna what a great post it was, needless to say it is truly timeless advice, Endre

Sep 16, 2018 09:25 PM