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It Makes My Blood Boil!

Dad Gum It! My blood boils when I see the views some agents have when it comes to taking time off from this business!

Lynda Eisenmann wrote a nice post, "Are You Taking Four Months Off A Year?" Lynda is right on target, and everyone should read her post.

Why am I upset? When I read the comments, I found that there were many who gave different "reasons" for their inability to take any time off. Too many replies fall into the camp that believes one cannot take time off, that one must sacrifice getting a "life" because of their job. My CyberStars(r) have shown me over the years that this is just not the case. Most lead full, rich lives that include frequent vacations to wonderful places, service to their community, both quality and quantity time with their family and more.

Why do too many agents think they must always be working? Why do too many agents work seven days a week? Why do too many agents take too few (or no) vacations? I think there are several main reasons:

They are stuck in old ways of thinking, passed on to them by brokers and managers. There indeed was a time when we had to work too many hours and too many days in order to earn a good living. The world has changed! We no longer have to work such long hours. We have the Internet and a number of tools and systems specifically designed to save us time, save us money and make us money.
They are unwilling to let go of their egos. I mean by this is that they are too familiar with the phrase, "No one can do it like I can." This is nothing short of egotism. Why do real estate agents think that they have to personally handle every aspect of the job? The CEO of Coca Cola does not stock the shelves at Safeway! He or she hires people to do “non CEO” tasks.
They do not associate with and learn from top agents who do use various resources to reduce their work load while increasing their income.
They have not invested in the tools and systems that enable them to make the same income in 2/3 of the time. I see this all the time at my seminars. All attendees see how top agents use today’s tools and systems that make them more money, save them more money and give them more time for life. Very few attendees wind up purchasing these tools and systems for their own use.

Here are just three ways to increase ones income while taking nicer (and more frequent) vacations.

Get a Virtual Assistant and turn over 80% of your routine tasks to him or her. For a list of what a VA can do for you, see my previous post on the subject or visit Kim Hughes’s Web site. The main reason most agents do not have a VA was mentioned above: ego. They are right when they say, “No one can (fill in the blank) like I can,” but they are right for the wrong reasons: someone can do most of what you do better than you can! At least my VA can. She (Kim Hughes of Kim Hughes & Company, Mineola, TX) does all the “little things” that I used to do...or avoided doing or “did not have time for”...better than I can! My job: writing books, writing courses and teaching agents around the country. Her job: running my company.

If you think about it, you will realize that a good VA can do about 80% of what you do now. Oh, I know….”Nobody can do it like you can!” Folks who still believe that, who can’t let go of their ego in this regard deserve what they get: less money and too much time spent working. Case in point: one of my CyberStars(r) living in Atlanta has her VA in Texas do all of her CMA's. Time saving? You bet!

And remember: you either have an assistant or you are one!

Start using tools and systems that allow you to get more done in less time while making more money! I have written before on the top money making tools my CyberStars® use. Here’s a brief recap:

A deep, consumer-oriented Web site
A real estate specific database such as TOP PRODUCER or Active Agent, whichever feels best to you
A notebook or tablet pc
VisualTour.com virtual tours
A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
A blog & podcasts
Automatic prospecting & followup systems such as RealProSystems, Rainmaker E-Central and My Home Management Club

I would bet dollars to donuts that most of those saying that Lynda’s post was unrealistic don’t use any of the above. Agents have two choices: keep working too hard and keep complaining about it or solve your problem. There is a solution, but you have to grab it. To paraphrase the title of a great little book, "Shut Up And Live," by Marion P. Downs, shut up and do it! Take the plunge. Realize that times and technology have changed, drop the ego and invest in the tools and systems that make it happen.

Start building your team….today. Several comments alluded to the fact that one had to spend time with buyers, to be at their beck and call. El Toro Poo Poo! Don’t want to spend time chauffeuring buyers? Nothing wrong with that….just hire a buyer’s agent and learn how you can compensate him or her out of what they earn while keeping part of the commission for yourself. Will your income go down? Not if you hire the right buyer’s agent….it’ll go up! How many of the award winners in your Association or franchise have buyer agents? What do they know that you don’t?

I could go on, but this is long enough. Besides, I’m calming down. :-)

I hope some of my points will sink in with some ActiveRainers. My main point is this: real estate should not be your life. Today’s VA’s and the right tools and systems insure that you don’t have to be “on call” all the time or be at the beck and call of buyers and sellers.

The purpose of a job is to provide you with enough income to enjoy life. I am in San Diego now for my granddaughter’s birthday. Miss Ellie and I will go to France in April for 12 days. Why? Because I got a good Virtual Assistant years ago, one who runs my company well and can run it well when I’m on vacation.

It’s a beautiful day here in San Diego….hope it’s a wonderful day wherever you are, too!

Posted by Allen F. Hainge, CRS on 03/19/2007 09:05 PM

Comments (80)

allen f hainge, cyberstars, listing, marketing, virtual assistants, prospecting, technology, technology tools, web sites

80 Comments on It Makes My Blood Boil!

MAR

2007

Great post. I'm trying to take more time off. I will have to check your site out.

This post has so many great points, I will bookmark this blog for future reference. Also kudos on the use of dad gum it, and donut to dollars.

Allen - great post and a GREAT reminder about what life is all about - LIVING not working!!

Like others, I had had a hard time taking time off, but over the last several years, I've found it to be easier to do. I use most of the items and systems you listed above, and maybe that's why. Or maybe it's because I just realized working isn't all there is. I always try to hang on to that saying, "don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life". I had gotten to the point where I was too busy making a living and I realized I was consumed. I worked hard to get 'un-consumed'. I still work hard, but I work smarter now than I used to. I'm still working on finding that balance, but at least I now own up to knowing I still have work to do.

Thanks for this very timely reminder.
Ann

My husband has always said to me: Who will be there with you...in the hospital, or in life. It's not goinn' be your clients. It will be your spouse and your family. So treat them lovingly.

And, we've always taken long vacations...every year. Heck, there's always an agent who will cover for me in December!

I can't understand working 7 days a week...I mean God rested on the 7th day!

I needed your reminder, we get ourselves wrapped up in thinking the whole deal is going to fall apart if we're away for a week. I am learning to leave it in someone else's capable hands and not worry about it. Thanks for the post.

Good post and very timely, some great ideas, will have to come back and read over again. Since my wife's first year in real estate when she would drop everything to show homes including driving through a snow and ice storm she learnt to place family first.

That is now how we approach life, seizing every opportunity to spend time with our sons and also to get away and refresh ourselves.

With two of us though we have not got to thinking about a VA yet.

You have a very healthy approach to this subject that we can all take alot from! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to take some time off now! It's long over due........

Great work, Allen. You and Lynda make such good points about how to build a business rather than how to build a job.

Happy birthday to your granddaughter. Today IS a beautiful day in San Diego. Welcome to our fair city. Where are you staying?

You are correct. I really do need to research virtual assistants.

While I do commit to vacationing at least 3x per year, my business is always put on hold when I leave and I play catch up upon my return. Hard to grow that way

Nice post, it has some good points to consider, Thank you again for posting, I have to read Lynda's post now

Great Post Allen,

I joined AR nearly a week ago and at that time I felt like a failure because well - my 1st Job requires my hours to be different than the run-of-the mill agent (in my area that is) but because of AR I know now that it's okay to be different.

I know that while my hours are limited to days and weekends (unless I have 24 hours to make arrangements), that is until my children get older, I can still be successful as a mom and a wife and as a Realtor. More often than not I see other agents and brokers absolutely wearing themselves out and while I want to be a successful agent, that doesn't mean I want to be a failure as a mom; you don't get a second chance at that.

If I schedule my time wisely I can (most of the time) schedule showings and appointments around the duties I volunteered for long before I earned that license; it's called Mom.

-- Jenn
American Dream Realty, Spencer County Indiana

I believe that it is very important to take time off to recharge the system and spend time with family. And I agree that someone can probably do my job as well or better than I. I just need to find them!

Hi Allen~ Thanks once again for your support of VAs! There is nothing we like to do more than take tasks off of agents hands so they can have a life, not just a career! No one understands that more than VAs who are doing the same...living their life, and living the business we love!

Great ideas! I am calling a VA tomorrow...I am exhausted! Workiing too many hours

Allen, You have been saying this forever. 1995 you started the CyberStar Group to spread the word about using technology to be more effective in the realestate business. To do more business in less time by reaching out to our customers and clients through the wise use of technology techniques.

It's great to be able to share with you and others what I learn and thanks to the rest of the CyberStar Familyfor all the time saving techniques we have shared over the last 12 years. Thanks to VA's and assistants, I have been able to take 2 days a week off to spend with my family, go away at least one long weekend a month and enjoy several annual vacations. Plus all the meeting travel. Life is good.

wynne Achatz from Michigan

I'm GUILTY! Time to plan that getaway before I change my mind! Thanks for the how-to's!

Great post! I will have to put your ideas into practice!

Allen, As usual you hit the nail right on the head. If you didn't read it, please read the post I wrote My Decision To Be A Better Father Like many of those that responded to Lynda's post I thought I had to work 24/7 to be successful. When I made the decision to take more time off and little if any weekends I just knew my income would suffer. On the contrary my income sky rocketed because of what I consider systems I put in place plus I was more at ease as a person because I did not put any pressure on myself to produce. 2006 was a record year for me with over 14 million in sales volume with an average sales price of $120,000. So for those that don't think you can take time off because you will loose income...that is only a cop out! Thanks again for encouraging me to join Active Rain Allen and I hope all is well in your world.

Awesome post - I think it is time for a vacation myself!!

I like it! Your photo is right on, too.

Here's what I can add: Every day I see certain associates in my office using their time to socialize, browse the MLS for diversion, shuffle papers, and otherwise make poor use of time. This includes me on occassion.

The tools you suggest are all great, but another that would make a huge difference for many people is a daily calendar that schedules all critical tasks. Then if agents complete these tasks, they can leave the office knowing they accomplished what they needed to.

Allen, I agree it's all about having your team in place, Before Real Estate when I was a Small Business owner, I always enjoyed my Vacations because I had a great team of Professional in Place and when I decided to sell my business that was the best asset that I had. if you are the business then you do not have a business, you have a JOB!

Thanks to everyone for reading and for your comments!

Beth Bastain: Glad you liked "Dad Gum It" & "donuts to dollars." You'd love my pig sayings, one of which is, "Never wrestle with a pig: you both get muddy and the pig loves it!"

Ann Cummings: "Like others, I had had a hard time taking time off, but over the last several years, I've found it to be easier to do. I use most of the items and systems you listed above, and maybe that's why. Or maybe it's because I just realized working isn't all there is." What a great testimonial to using today's technology and to putting one's priorities in order!

Eilleen Landau: "My husband has always said to me: Who will be there with you...in the hospital, or in life. It's not goinn' be your clients. It will be your spouse and your family. So treat them lovingly." Thanks for sharing this, and I will requote it in my "Balance! Getting A Life Through Today's Technology" seminars!

Debbie Malone: "We get ourselves wrapped up in thinking the whole deal is going to fall apart if we're away for a week. I am learning to leave it in someone else's capable hands and not worry about it." Great...and if you're like most of us, you have made more money just by taking this attitude!

Brian Brady: "Today IS a beautiful day in San Diego. Welcome to our fair city. Where are you staying?" With my daughter & her family on Goldsmith...not sure what part of the city it is in...somewhere near the fishin' fleet.

Jennifer Martin: "More often than not I see other agents and brokers absolutely wearing themselves out and while I want to be a successful agent, that doesn't mean I want to be a failure as a mom; you don't get a second chance at that." Well said! And by using some of the tools I mentioned, you can make a good living while paying attention to the important things you mention!

Laura Monroe: "Thanks once again for your support of VAs! There is nothing we like to do more than take tasks off of agents hands so they can have a life, not just a career!" You're welcome...and I hope I have conveyed how very, very important it is to have a VA!

Julie Beall: "I am calling a VA tomorrow." That's what I like....action items! Let me know how it turns out, please.

Wynne Achatz (one of my original 4 CyberStars(r)): "It's great to be able to share with you and others what I learn and thanks to the rest of the CyberStar Family for all the time saving techniques we have shared over the last 12 years. Thanks to VA's and assistants, I have been able to take 2 days a week off to spend with my family, go away at least one long weekend a month and enjoy several annual vacations. Plus all the meeting travel. Life is good." You are one of my heroes, as well as a good friend, Wynne. I have always been proud of the time you spend giving back to this industry, expecially via your work in the Women's Council. You Da Best!

George Tallabas: "If you didn't read it, please read the post I wrote My Decision To Be A Better Father Like many of those that responded to Lynda's post I thought I had to work 24/7 to be successful. When I made the decision to take more time off and little if any weekends I just knew my income would suffer. On the contrary my income sky rocketed because of what I consider systems I put in place plus I was more at ease as a person because I did not put any pressure on myself to produce. 2006 was a record year for me with over 14 million in sales volume with an average sales price of $120,000." I did read it, George, and I'm glad you quoted sales figures to that all can see that this philosophy works! You Da Best, my friend!

Robert Mabley: "I like it! Your photo is right on, too." My job exists so that I can take moments like that....flyfishing on a quiet river in Summit County, Colorado!

Mitchell Jamel: "I agree it's all about having your team in place, Before Real Estate when I was a Small Business owner, I always enjoyed my Vacations because I had a great team of Professional in Place and when I decided to sell my business that was the best asset that I had. if you are the business then you do not have a business, you have a JOB" Couldn't have said it better myself, my friend!

It's a great day here in San Diego...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!

Allen, thanks for your continued support of VAs and thank you for educating Real Estate professionals on the benefits associated with using the services of a VA.

Great read, Allen. Thank you for sharing. Your advice is certainly well worth heeding.

MAR

2007

I hope to be where you are someday. Right now, I am still building my business. I envy those of you who are already established enough to have your long vacations. Soon, I will be there after much hard work and long hours on the job. Aloha!

Enjoy the stay, Allen. You might try Bali Hai Restaurant; old, kitschy, but way cool. The view while the sun sets on downtown is amazing.

It's accessible by land or by sea (they have a dock) and will give you a perfect throwback to post WW2 San Diego.

Allen- I have always been a supporter of time off. I believe you must take time off just be keep your own sanity. My family deserves me to take time off because they are what is really important, If I fail to nurture them I fail period. I encourage every realtor to atleast take a vacation 1 a year.

Great Post Allen!

I want to echo everything that you said! What good does it do to have a job that you enjoy when you are too burnt out to enjoy it. One of the greatest things that a real estate virtual assistant can offer to an agent is more free time for that agent. Sure we have great technology and marketing skills, but any agent that has a va would agree that the best benefit is the time that they get back into their day.

I was reading a post by Evy Williams yesterday that speaks of the same type of thing. As virtual assistants, we also have to be careful to remember not to get caught up in the trap of technology. In the past few months my husband has helped me to realize that I need "me" time. By giving myself "me" time, it makes me a better person to share with my family. Mommy is not always short, stressed and glued to the computer! I am a work-from-home mom, but the mom was starting to get ugly. :) It is easy to forget.

Thanks for the post and the great reminder!

Nancy

You had a good post. When I get that far along, I'll have to consider more seriously the words you said today. But, for right now, I'm a rookie and am still getting my feet wet. So for right now, I'm in for a lot of hard work. Hopefully I'll gain a life and not lose it to the business.

Roger wrote: "You had a good post. When I get that far along, I'll have to consider more seriously the words you said today. But, for right now, I'm a rookie and am still getting my feet wet. So for right now, I'm in for a lot of hard work. Hopefully I'll gain a life and not lose it to the business."

My Friend:

Now is exactly the time when your efforts should focus on getting started the right way! Instead of focusing on floor time, open houses, etc., devote a little time to these activities but devote the majority of your time to putting the tools and systems in place that will launch your career quickly!

I'm going to step in here and act as your "start up coach," a service I usually charge for, but it's free to you. Here's what you do, in order. Trust me on this....just do it!

I note on your profile that you don't list a Web site. Run, don't walk, to Advanced Access, spend a couple of hundred dollars and get your Web site up. Tell 'em I sent you: I think you get a discount.

(If you have $900, go to RealProSystems and get one of their stealth site packages. Then, visit the client help on their site and start doing what it tells you to do.)
After you have yourAdvanced Access template site up, read my post on making money with a template site. Then, start working on your site 1-2 hours a day. Trust me: this will pay far greater dividends than will the "usual"activities new agents undertake.
Read my posts on making money with your Web site. There are 4-5 of them that you can find on my blog.
Get TOP PRODUCER's reeal estate database. Spend one hour a day learning how to use it.

In short, there is no reason why you cannot start out the right way and become a market leader in your area in a very short time. Please don't get stuck doing things "the way we've always done them." Work smart...not hard!

With regards to my "work one hour a day" advice above, this is not unrealistic. You have two choices: establish a solid foundation for your business or do like 90% of the agents do, putzing around on non-productive busy work. Make the smart choice, my friend: spend several hours a day planning your business and laying the proper foundation for it.

It's a great day here in San Diego...hope it's a great day there in Bonney Lake, too!

Guilty as charged. Wish I had found you when I was brand new. I've spent the last year backtracking and working on systems - that I didn't have in place when I was new. It's no fun working by the seat of your pants.

Folks:

I have an idea for those of you who are interested in starting out "the right way" or revamping your business model so that you get where you want to be.

We can form a "newbies" coaching club, meet on the Internet (interactively), and I can walk you through getting things going. Please believe me: when I posted my original message, I did not have this in mind. There is obviously a need for this, however.

I would have to charge for it, but we can insure that it's not expensive. If you are interested, let me know here and we'll set something up.

Again, this was not the intent of my original post, but if it would be helpful to you, we can get it going.

It's a beautiful day here in San Diego...hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are, too!

Awesome post. Now I have to go check out Kim's site. Much thanks Allen.

I enjoy working. That said, vacation is essential. It allows the mind to clear and refocus on the big picture... of life and work. When you take a vacation, you need at least three days to decompress before the mind can clear and give you any health benefit. - I read that sometime ago on the American Medical Association website.

You know, there is a story I would like to share... maybe a post on my own blog would be better, but the short of the long of it is this:

In college I wanted to be a professor of linguistic anthropology, but jobs were worse than scarce for that career, so after grad school, or in the middle, I went to law school... my reasoning: If I had to do a job I did not want, I should be paid big bucks for it. So lawyer it was.

Practiced for 15 years or so.

about 10 year into that my wife, whom I married in law school, filed for divorce, since I had vanished from our life together, working 100 hours a week and not having taken a vacation since the second year in practice... it took a few more years to get to take a vacation... and that after a heart attack at 40 years old, and the divorce from a woman I truly loved.

What caused my first vacation in 10 years was the death of my first wife's second husband. I was best man at that wedding, and a month after it, they had a car accident, she was unharmed but her husband died.

I got a call from her mother, who told me she had not taken a day off from work since the accident. She asked me to talk to my ex about it, since I was her best friend.

I did... I dragged her to the condo in the carribean that we owned together. She stayed for 2 weeks, then went to visit her mom... I stayed for an additional 2 weeks and scuba dived every day but 2.

When I returned to work, refreshed and relaxed for the first time in years, I had the realization that I had been all wrong about many things... successful yes, made the money, yes, but I had no life.

One of my largest clients, a super sized computer company CEO, told me at the time when I said I was leaving the law firm, that he could not excuse my lack of vacations... his comment was that if my work required me to be there every waking hour then I was not doing my job properly. He was right.

Retired early from that career, and got involved in what is now a fast growing real estate and mortgage business.

I make a point of ensuring that all our agents take the time off they should, and I do too.

Technology helps, proper perspective helps even more.

What I am getting at here is that this point is huge, and ego is a major factor in it.

This post is so important for all of us in this and frankly in any other career... the rest and relaxation will refresh you and bring you more energy and maturity than almost anything else.

Great Post Allen...

IF I HAVE TIME, I would love to participate in your workshop... ;-)

Thanks for the reinforcement...

oh, and Allen, if one day it becomes possible for us, I would love to go Fly Fishing with you... it is one of my favorite pastimes...

You are right! What's the most important time in real estate? That's your vacation!!! :)) Why do we work so hard, if we can't take time off to do things with family etc. Besides, everyone must agree, good things happen while we plan or about to leave on a vacation, suddenly some of our listings get sold and buyers make up their mind on which house they want. I say, it is our duty to take more vacations :0)

I love your attitude! Life is too short to not take time to smell the roses!

I don't have my VA yet but I did get a part-time personal assistant and a closing coordinator. These people have taken so much off of my life. It is more enjoyable to do business now.

You are absolutely right. I do love seeing their pictures. It makes me want togo where they are.

I totally agree with you. My 1st couple of years I thought that I needed every client. I also never took a day off or made family time. I take @ least 1 weekend off a month. Even if it's going on a weekend trip. I try to take off a few days every quarter. Great post! I bookmarked it!

Allen, I need to take more time off for sure. I have been so focused on getting this year off to a solid start that I have been burning the midnight oil more than normal this year. Time for some family fun! Thanks for the reminder. Sam Miller

Allen, FANTASTIC post! I employ over half of the tools you've mentioned and am a firm believer that it IS possible to work smarter, rather than harder. As I add more tools, I find myself doing less of the undesirable work and having more time to enjoy my family.

MAR

2007

If you don't take a break, you will break (as in fall into pieces). Better to vacation when you choose than have your body determine it for you.

I agree whole heartedly with your post. My question is, "how many agents are really working the hours that they think that they are? One of the bummers about our jobs is that it gives more than enough rope to hang ourselves with.

A few years back I set my hours at 10Am to 8 PM. Like any job, I figured that there would be times when I would have to work "over-time", but the idea was to keep the "job" to no more than 50 hours a week. This worked fine until I started dating a lady who worked a traditional 9 to 5.

I found myself getting home closer to 5 than to 8, but still going in at 10. That combined with using my work time to pick up the dry cleaning, etc., when I actually clocked my work hours, I found that I was only truly putting in 30 hours a week at real work.

That's not to mention the hours that I spend reading Activerain!

;-)

Bob

MAR

2007

Allen, I've got all the technology, but sometimes that leads to more work. Setting up searches for people that hit your website, answering questions about the area. Being high profile means quite a few people call. I did hire a full time assistant recently and that has been a relief, but it still was difficult to get out of town because an offer came in and I needed to be in on it. They are my neediest sellers and called back 5-6 times a day.

The e-Pro forum, Active Rain and CyberStars take up quite a bit of time to read as well. Any recommendations???

Great Ideas Allen!

My theory is to enjoy the slow times instead of complaining about the lack of business...we are in a buyers market in MN.

And if you can't afford to hire an assistant, trade off with great associates so that you can leave everything in their hands. Vacations can and should be taken! Coordinating them is the key!

Chris wrote:

"Allen, I've got all the technology, but sometimes that leads to more work. Setting up searches for people that hit your website, answering questions about the area. Being high profile means quite a few people call. I did hire a full time assistant recently and that has been a relief, but it still was difficult to get out of town because an offer came in and I needed to be in on it. They are my neediest sellers and called back 5-6 times a day."

You're right, Chris, in saying that learning the technology, setting it up, etc., takes time. However, my view is that this is "front end" time that pays big dividends later. As for setting up searches for folks hitting your Web site, you could:

Pass the search on to your assistant
Enter them into a system such as RealProSystems & forget 'em until they call you.

You mention that you took on an assistant. Your key now is training him/her to take on the tasks that are tying you down. At least one hour a day training him/her will pay off big time. He/she does take all your calls, right, passing on to you only the ones you abaosulutely must respond to? AS for the "neediest" sellers calling back 5-6 times a day, that, too, is a task for your assistant.

You might post your query on our CyberStar(r) list serve and ask your fellow CyberStars(r) how they handled this....they're a big help!

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston....hope it's a great day there in College Station, too!

I'm one of those who has to fight with himself to remember to take time off. I am happily married, have four kids and love my work. I am very diligent with my calendar. My calendar reminds me of when I need to not be looking at my calendar! Just part of my personality....

Allen, well spoken. I'm sure you'll have many followers after this great piece. I'm honored to be "one of your chosen"! You are a gentleman and a scholar! (One of my favorite sayings in addition to Dad Gumit).

Teri wrote:

"My theory is to enjoy the slow times instead of complaining about the lack of business...we are in a buyers market in MN. And if you can't afford to hire an assistant, trade off with great associates so that you can leave everything in their hands. Vacations can and should be taken! Coordinating them is the key!"

Right on target, Teri! One can always enlist a fellow associate to cover for one.

And....remember my saying, "You either have an assistant or you are one!"

BTW: To see what services a good Virtual Assistant can offer, go to my VA's page at www.KimHughes.com and look under services.

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston....hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!

Allen,

Your blog made a lot of sense to me. The only thing that I have a trouble with is letting go of the control. I am working on it... We have VA's in our office. I have not used them yet. The reason, money. I know that sound strange but, here is my feeling. I am in my 3rd year of real estate. I am finally beginning to see a profit. Before, each time I had a closing, it seemed like someone was there standing with their hand out. I would like to put a little money in the bank for a vacation someday. The VA is $350 per transaction. If I close 2 deals a month that is $700 that I could put in the bank. During our busy summer months it could be about $1750 per month. Am I not seeing the forrest for the trees?

Carmen, let go of control and your business will triple. Your business will pay for your VA. Trust in yourself.

MAR

2007

This post is for Carmen....

You made some good points, but here are some thoughts for you:

First, you have VA's in your office but you haven't used them yet. It's time! Don't forget, you are not locked into the VA's your office supplies. You can choose your own if you want to.

Second, your office VA's charge $350 per transaction? Outrageous, in my opinion. I believe you can get a transaction coordinator of your own for much less. They're out there.

Third, you want to put a little money in the bank for a vacation one day. How 'bout putting a lot of money in the bank for a lot of vacations? You can do so if you invest in yourself now. Bite the bullet!

It's a beautiful (misty) day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day there in Oakland, TN, too!

Doesn't a VA do more than a transaction coordinator? I'm getting confused with the terminology. We have a TC in our office, which would lessen my load some, but I'm wondering if getting a VA to help with other tasks would help more. I tried having a part-time assistant for a few months, but her goals and my goals weren't matching up at some point. It's hard to find good help in So Cal!

Allen - Such a great post! Several years ago I took a class from you when you were in Alaska. The most important thing I walked away with was the ability to say "no" to certain things. I enjoy time with my family so I rarely do open houses. Instead, I focus on other marketing. That's about to change with them leaving for college, but I have no regrets spending those early years focused on them. I also rarely work Sundays. I take a day off in the middle of the week on occasion too. Most holidays and a few special events (Golden North Salmon Derby for example) are completely OFF the table for negotiation. I cannot think of a single listing or sale I've lost. Most people respect my boundaries, and those who do not can find someone else.

I have appointments in my calendar that are for me, my husband, children, etc. Those appointments or scheduled time are just as, or more important, than my meetings with clients & customers. Rarely do they get rescheduled. I won't lie and say never, but that is my goal!

Alan, I do get the assistant involved, but she only works 5 days a week and I hate to have those leads sit for two days without attention. I am getting her trained and up to speed. I took a weekend off though, and an offer came in on my neediest clients property that, apparently, wasn't even all that serious. The clients got my alternative phone number when I called to discuss it with them. From then on they called, and called, and called.

Reading the listserve (or not having the time to and having to delete each message) has, for the moment, put another issue in my lap. I don't have time for it most days either. I will post to them to get recommendations!

As always love your posts!!!

MAR

2007

Allen... great post. Taking time off is essential for me. It allows me to get some "fresh air" and I come back to the office with more energy.

I would love to post some comments here... but I'm leaving for some fun right now and hope I can remember to get back to this blog.... where is that fishing pole I put in the carport?

Erica wrote:

"Doesn't a VA do more than a transaction coordinator? I'm getting confused with the terminology."

Yup. For a list of what a VA can do, go to my VA's site, www.KimHughes.com. She has a good list of services there.

A transaction coordinator does just that: coordinates your transactions from contract to closing. Their services are certainly worth it if you look at the enormous of time you spend processing your own transactions.

Thanks for the question!

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day there in Irvine, too, Erica!

Debbie wrote:

"I have appointments in my calendar that are for me, my husband, children, etc. Those appointments or scheduled time are just as, or more important, than my meetings with clients & customers."

You go, girl! This is the real secret: putting you first. I wish everyone would do what you do, i.e., schedule your activities first. This includes scheduling family time and time for you. Spa visits during stressful periods are essential! The Salmon Derby is even more essential! :-)

I remember the seminar in Juneau, Debbie, and my visit to the glacier at the end of town!

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a nice day there in Juneau (one of my favorite cities!), too, Debbie!

Great Post. As a new agent I don't want to get burned out by not taking time off. I also don't want my clients to think that I'm neglicting them either. Thanks for the great tips. I am going to take a look at your website also.

Great email. I have young children and spend many weekends without seeing them much at all. I tell my clients at my first meeting that I make mayself available on weekends, but that I take Wednesdays off. Of course, if there is something urgent I have back-up, but telling people about my time off ahead of time has worked. They are very respectful of my time.

MAR

2007

Very good! Too many realtors in our area are always on Vacation. Too many Realtors in our area do not work on the weekends or evenings. Yes that's correct! No weekend and no evenings. They are lazy and need to find a career where it invloves them first, that is where their minds are now! It ashame! I worked for a Realtor office in my early twenties and decided then I was not going to work on the weekends or the evenings, I was to selfish and wanted that time for family and "ME" not clients (and the fact that the women always fought over the damn floor time and incoming calls). That is also when I learned what a cat fight was! At least I have integrity then, and now in my early 40's and still feel the same nopt to get into the business. Realtors: It is customary to work on the weekends and the evenings, if you cannot, then get out of the biz!!!

Middletown CA

You nailed it right on the head! Right before I read your Blog, I booked a surprise vacation for my wife and I! Life is GOOD!

OK, so how do you go about finding a truly good VA. I just visited several sites and in each case found that there were dead links on their sites or that their Contact Us forms didn't work. What is a reliable source of qualified Real Estate VAs?

Hi Kathy,

Have you checked out the virtuals that are on Active Rain? There are some of the best on here. For the most part, we seem to stay pretty up to date and current.

I sure hope the the dead links and broken contact us forms didn't belong to one of us!

Hope this helps.

Nancy

Great point. We can't be good parents, spouses, or even REALTORS if we're too stressed out. Buyers/sellers need REALTORS not martyrs.

MAR

2007

You've earned the right. Enjoy.

Oh I have NO PROBLEM taking vacation time off, but doesn't it seem like everyone wants you a week before you go????

Thank you for that article. I took off from November 1, 2006 through February 24th 2007 which is about 4 months off. I had a virtual assistant, and a buyer's agent who kept an eye on things. Sure, I had to jump in a few times and sign something with my tablet, but all in all I got really rested and did as many sales as I did in much busier years. The 4 month vacation taught me to delegate, use PDF files, use Bonage, and to stay calmer as getting testy at an assistant when you're 3000 miles away does not get the job done. Yes, I still worked a little bit during my 4 months off but I rested, learned and finally accomplished the feat of taking 4 months off. No one besides my assistants even knew I was gone.

MAR

2007

For Mark:

You go, Guy! You comment is an excellent example of how one can run a business while still having a life...with the aid of today's technology! Well stated, and I'm pleased to see your comments, my friend!

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...and I hope it's a great day there in Valencia, too, my friend!

Plain and simple... the work still goes on when your dead. Someone else will pick up the slack... let go and give out the responsibility to someone you trust and take off some time to recharge yourself... You can't afford not too!

Great Post!!!

MAR

2007

Allen, you are a man after my own heart. Enjoying life is a part of my existence. I understand the need to succeed and want to be successful as much as the next person. However, life is too short not to take some 'Me Time' at least once a month. I take the 2 - 1/2 hour drive at least once a month to visit my grand daughters (and their parents). I don't think about work, bills, or anything else that would mar my time with my babies.

I'm glad to see you're so passionate about how many hours I work! Thanks for the tips....

Clarethia West wrote: "I take the 2 - 1/2 hour drive at least once a month to visit my grand daughters (and their parents). I don't think about work, bills, or anything else that would mar my time with my babies."

Drive time is one of my favorite "time outs." For years, I taught in the West Virginia GRI program, and I always drove rather than flew, even when it was a 6 hour drive. Just me, my thoughts, the beautiful West Virginia country side and XM radio or NPR on the FM....relaxing!

As far as spending time with the grand daughter, nothing better! I just got back from 5 days in San Diego (flew, didn't drive that one!), saw her in a play, celebrated her birthday with her, met her friends, saw her school, etc. What a blessing!

Keep it up, Clareathia...and enjoy!

It's a beautiful day here on Lake Anne in Reston...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!

Allen, Your post makes me want to go book my airline tickets to Florida. My motto is work hard to play hard. I am finding that I may need to ammend the saying back to work smart while keeping up with all the technology that can save us time and enhance our services. Thanks for the thoughts

As a Professional Virtual Assistant, I would like to remind those Agents out there that subscribe to the "No one can do it as well as I can," frame of thought; Where would your business be if home buyers and home sellers believed that they could purchase a home or sell a home without the expertise of a real estate professional???

Virtual Assistants work with you to help make your business a success, thereby making their business a success. It's a win-win for everyone.

APR

2007

Hi Allen,

Thanks so very much for the wonderful mention and the link. I couldn't agree with you more! I too have learned much from you and others regarding the use of technology. And reading Paul Silvers comment gave me even more of a moment to pause.

THANKS again.

BTW, two of the agents in my office are two of your Cyberstars. I sat in one of your sessions (for the first time) at NAR in New Orleans, possibly about 10 years ago.

APR

2007

Hey Allen and everyone else:

I just ran acrowss this great article in the Florida Realtor Magazine about "Getting a Handle on Stress" and immediately thought about this post.

Peggy

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