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How much time do you put in?

As I come home after another crazy day, I have dinner with my family and my kids ask how was your day. After a deep breath I begin to go over it.....20 minutes later and the eyes of my family glazed over,I realize... that they just don't get it! So to a community of craziness...I want to know on average how many hours do you put into your business. Also, do you think that your effective 100% of the time or could you be better. I know personally I put way to many hours in, I have a hard time staying on one task and then I play catch up in the evening. How do you put the job away when your still getting calls at 8 pm?

I'm sure I'm not alone, I just wonder how everyone does it and how long have you done it?

Posted by Catherine Eusea-Prospect Mortgage on 09/18/2008 01:53 PM

Comments (12)

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12 Comments on How much time do you put in?

SEP

2008

Hi Catherine! - I personally am still trying to figure that one out. I try to be available when people call. Sometimes I think I am too available and give them a feeling that whenver they call I will answer. I think know what I would expect from someone if I were in their shoes. So, my answer is...still working on it! KM

I know sometimes it's hard to let things wait. One way I deal with it is to shut my phone off at 8:00 every night. If its important they will leave a message and I will return the call in the morning. Always take some time for just you during the day or you will be burned out way too early.

One of the best things you can do is knock out those things you dread doing 1st! And yes I agree...cut your phone off and leave a voicemail indicating what hours you will be returning calls. This helps eliminate distractions and keeps you on task.

Hi Catherine

I would have to agree with you, there are times were you have close off your business and invest quality time with family and friends.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

You quit at 8! Just kidding, sometimes you just have to turn the phone off(which I never do) and enjoy a little me time. Now, that isn't to say you can't be setting yourself up to get ahead the NEXT day. Take your evening to wind down and do a little prep work to get you a head start for the next day.

I'm still trying to figure that out too. I do not answer my phone between 6pm and 9pm in the evening. I tell everyone that is my family time and I spend it with my family. If it's urgent email me or call right back and I'll know it's crucial. If it turns out to be not crucial I will fire clients for imposing on my personal time. Set boundaries for your clients and enforce them, they will respect you more for it. Hire an assistant, even a part time one to do things that allow you to make higher and better use of your time. I tell this to my attorney friend all the time - you bill $200/hr, hire someone for $12/hr to go stand in line for 2 hours at City Hall for those lien certificates and judgements. Good luck!!

I do need more discipline when it comes to turning off the cell. I, too, try to make sure no one needs me. I am getting better.

It is hard for me to stop. I love what I do. My family get attention, but I am not waiting on pins and needles to keep them busy. They do things that make them happy and so do I. I think it is a healthy example.

My family has HATED my cell for years. It has rang with real estate calls on every holiday ( yes, even Christmas morning), at 2am ( when a buyer got in from work) and at every possible family moment and event since 2003. I got all the bad loks and hands going into the air and all, but I have to make a living.

Fast foward to 2008..........We all WISH my phone would ring now!! I say take advantage while you can. Don't carry it to 'once in a lifetime" family moments, but if you want to stay in the business, right now it's a nessesary evil.

Don't look a gift call in the mouth!

Wow...these are great responses, I have been in business for 6 years and I have an addiction to the crackberry, my phone and then I'm on the computer to catch up on e-mails...I'm busy and I'm not complaining but just trying to manage it.

I love my phone to ring....it's business and it supports my family. My family has gotten better about understanding because we are a one income household but I still look like the bad guy. My evening calls are another things....I have agents who will call minute after minute until I answer and when I do, like June they are not important. I'm trying o get better at explaining that it is typical for agents to work on weekends but I just work 80 hours on the weekday and I need a day off.

It's shutting everything down that is difficult....I'm glad to know I'm not alone and that we are all struggeling to manage everything.

SEP

2008

As long as I get my 20 minute nap sometime during the day....I can't complain! It is a very cyclical business I think, I have been really busy the last several months but I have just a few details to attend to this weekend; pretty much off. So, I try to make the best of the down time to clean, shop, write letters, reconnect and try to just maintain during the busy times. I have found if I read my Bible first thing in the day, I feel like I can stay grounded when the world of real estate is throwing me in 20 different directions.

OCT

2008

I completely understand where your coming from! I would say if I had one thing I'd like to improve on its my time management. Maybe delegating could be a small step in freeing up some time. I'm always amazed when I read about how much super successful people or celebrities can do in one day! I take appreciation in that we can always improve in that area because for the most part, most of us don't have nearly as many projects as these people an we all still have the same 24 hours in a day. I take appreciation in knowing that I can always improve and continue to improve.

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