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How I Find Balance in My Busy Realtor's Life

Perhaps more prevalent than any other profession is the trap of living a manic lifestyle, running from one fire to another with a bucket of water, trying not to let our business burn down...or drown ourselves in the process of saving it. Finding Balance in Our Profession Can be a Challenge

I see it everyday...and sometimes I'm really tempted to follow suit.

You see...I've developed a schedule...or just a few habits...that actually skyrockets my business productivity by focusing on myself first.

Are you ready for my big secret?

It's 3 simple things:

1. I sit and do nothing for an hour every morning

2. I take extra care of the only thing I really own

3. I'm a master of sleep

I'll elaborate a little more on each of these.

Meditation

Every morning the very first thing I do is meditate for an hour. At this point most of you are already saying "Are you crazy?! I don't have time for that!" Hear me out on this. During my sit, I clear my thoughts and boost my energy. By the time I'm done, I have a very clear picture of exactly what steps I need to take to make the most progress in my day.

How would your business take off if you focused on the important tasks and stopped spending so much time worrying about things out of your control? How would your bottom line grow if you could pull yourself out of the weeds everyday and look around to see what direction would make you the most profit?

That's what I get out of meditation. The hour I spend sitting gives me at least 3 times that in high production activities.

You can start by spending a little quiet time in the morning to take stock of where your at. Look at your goals. Do something quiet where it's just you. If you feel like meditating, then give it a try. I started with 10 minutes at a time. After a while it felt good to do a little more. And the effects are cumulative. The more days you stick with it, the bigger the effect it will have on your life and your business.

Exercise

The second habit I've established is taking care of my body through consistent exercise. It's the next part of my day. When I first started my business, I was so focused on getting it off the ground that I didn't take time to workout. About 3 months later I was completely dragging. I went from whistling in the morning and bouncing up the stairs to crawling up them and contemplating the virtues of an elevator.

That's when I decided to incorporate a consistent workout regimen. I started with walking a little bit everyday. If I didn't feel like walking, I did it anyway...and just walked slower, but walk I did. As my legs and lungs started building endurance I wanted something more challenging. So I started running. Like walking, it was a little bit at a time. Then I ran a little longer. Now I go trail running in the park three times a week.

Want to know the best part about that? My business endurance has grown in lockstep with my exercise endurance. I'm now more focused and more energized than I ever have been before. That translates to more blogging, more prospecting and more closings.

Sleep

This is the final piece of the puzzle for me. I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep everyday. This is probably the biggest challenge for our profession. If you allow it, you'll have clients calling you all the way to 10pm and beyond (I have some colleagues that actually encourage that kind of thing!)

Every now and then I'll make a phone call after 8pm, but it's a rare practice. My clients understand that I work hard for them all day...and I need rest if I'm gonna work hard for them the next day. The way I see it, if you stay up late to work, then you're stealing from tomorrow's productivity. Do that often enough and soon you don't have any productivity left when you get up! You'll just be sitting at your desk...staring at the computer, getting absolutely nothing done.

The other sleep hurdle for most people is getting their mind chatter to slow down long enough to drift into a restful slumber. That's where the other two habits really help. Meditation clears the mind enough to keep the chatter down and exercise tires my body enough to crave the night's rest.

How Do I Find the Time?

To make this work, I wake up between 5am and 6am everyday. And I'm in bed between 9pm and 10pm. It's a matter of drive and discipline. I have enough drive to accomplish my goals that I make myself have the discipline to wake up on time and more importantly, go to bed on time.

Finally, it's a matter of my business's bottom line. Say what you will about the schedule I keep, but its designed to give me the best chance to grow my business and increase my bottom line. Since I've started these habits, my productivity is through the roof! And it's important to me that I keep it there.

I make the time to take care of myself, so I can be at my peak for my business, my family and my friendships. And if I feel really good while I'm doing...then double bonus!

How do you live and work at your best?

I'd like to hear how you find balance in your busy life. My way is certainly not the only way...just the one that works best for me. How do you live your life and your business?

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

Posted by Jamie Mades on 10/18/2008 09:03 PM

Comments (59)

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59 Comments on How I Find Balance in My Busy Realtor's Life

OCT

2008

Jamie: My wife, son and I are ALL in the RE business and our home life is just "NUTS" sometimes. We work our best at blocking time for everything, but usually there is an abundance of "STUFF" and a shortage of time. You do the best you can with the hours that you have available and the rest you just have to learn to let go!

Do what works for you - sounds like your schedule has.

Jamie,

Its a Good Life! The Top Producers in any Industry Qualify the opportunities that come across. It is far better to work for 5 deals that 4 have a chance to close than to run around with 30 that maybe 3 will have a chance to close. Taking time to meditate, think, exercise will greatly improve you. Remember the story of the Hare and the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the true champion not the Hare. Work 100% go hard then rest,energize, take time off, then get back working and giving it 100%. The Hares try to be 24/7 and can just give 70%

good post!

troy downey, birmingham, alabama 205-999-7218 re/max southern homes

@ Steve: Agreed. There's always more to do that you could possible have time for. The "learn to let go" aspect is a great point and a tough lesson for most of us. Thanks for your insight!

Jamie,

Thanks for the reminder. I need to go to bed early because I feel so tired in the morning. Yours is a good routine. It's worth trying.

I try to balance the hectic long days by spending time with my horses, a few hours in the saddle and I am recharged and ready to go, Really need to get tough on bedtime and get more sleep.

Jaimie, I totally agree with taking out time for self. The first two years in real estate I almost burned myself out from basically negleting myself. My health did go down so now I have put time for myself everyday to exercise, eat right and get plenty of rest. We can be much more productive that way.

Great Post, I totally agree, I try hard to get in everything, but with 6 kids, a demanding husband and a full time Realtor, sometimes, I just have to go with the flow, Sometimes I have to stay up late to make sure things get done around the house. I look forward to the day when I am able to plan just for myself, if there is ever that day. At least I have something to look forward to right. I just try to stay positive and know that I am doing the best I can. I take advantage of every moment of free time I have to either learn or relax (mostly learn though). I may just have to get up extra early to get in excercise (try 4:30 AM), I agree 100% with you about taking care of your body. You have inspired me to do just that.. Thanks so much!

Jamie - Great list for life. Proper nutrition is another key area for health and energy.

I too have a hard time balancing work and family during the 6 months of what I call "money days". I barely see my family or excercise or eat during those months. I am developing a new system of a referral network of people that I work with and trust. There were days this summer when I lost business because I ran out of day and I was up at 5:30 and did not go to bed until 1 or 2. It taught me this, I can not do it all and I have to take care of my physical body and my family. If I can not handle too many calls then a referral fee is better than nothing. I also found that the few times I did that at the end of summer the other agents worked harder to sell my lisitngs. My sellers were happy and so were the buyers that were receiving the attention they deserved.

Thanks for posting this its great for agents to understand that its okay not to be able to handle EVERY single call:)

Jamie - Thank you for posting this blog. I have always had this in the back of my mind but never had the energy to implement it. Untill now I had the cell phone power off at 9pm and power up at 9am. When I wake up it seems that everything is happening at once.

Finding balance in our professional is a delicate and often times difficult balance. I often times mean to make time to exercise but allow my professional life to eat up my down time :(

The toughest part of this business is finding balance. Good for you for finding yours.

Jamie, I am doing exactly that. I have done 2 and 3 for over two years but started on 1 after reading the book by Brian Tracy named Maxium Achievement. He talks about the medittion so one day I had a little time and so I tried it, man did it open my eyes. Everyone should try it and see but the secret is to not concentrate on anything in particular just sat and stare at a photo or something and stuff will just start coming to you.

Jamie-Young, but very wise. I think a lot of people could learn from your example. It is a real challenge if you have a husband(wife) and kids. But I think that everyone has to find what works best for them. But all 3 of those things are important for balance and productivity. Great post.

Jamie-You are very wise and I call it putting gas back in the gas tank! The meditation is a secret few have the discipline to try. Gandhi said, "The more I have to do, the longr I need to meditate." So true.

You are a great model. Thanks for sharing this with the rest of us.

I have children. No matter what I do, I just can't get back on a routine like I used to when I didn't have kids! And therefore, I am living a cluttered life.

I like your way of thinking. I will try to put that to use. I find I have more to do than hours in the day.

OCT

2008

Good article. I have also come to the conclussion that the money I spend to have an assistant is some of the best money I spend. I bless the money I give her as it affords me not only extra time it enables me not to have to control everything. Letting go is very relaxing after a while.

Jamie: Thanks for the comments. I have a similar schedule -- up between 5 and 6 each morning, to bed at the latest 9:30. I haven't been as successful as you, probably because I have two small kids. You make some really excellent points about taking time to focus, instead of jumping into the fray. Maybe I'll start getting up at 4...

If one doesn't talk good care of their body and mind they won't be worth much to anyone anyway.

That said, agents who indulge in personal activities during regular business hours (for most of us) will not generate the business needed for real success.

I have a number of agents who rely on my referrals for all of their business. Yet, they regularly take time off during business hours for personal activities. It costs them business.

It's true we are not in a 9-5 business. However, what I've found is that agents who indulge in personal activities over business activities are limited in earning potential.

Jamie,

I discovered yoga years ago and it makes a huge difference in my well being. Of course, I can't say that I'm always calm in this crazy world we're living in right now. I like the idea that you sit and do nothing for an hour each day.

Jamie,

Thanks for the post. The absence of balance will result in the absence of success. Success is having a rich personal life filled with people and memories, as well as the financial rewards that business brings

Great advice. When I started out 5 years ago, I too was trying to run everywhere. I found out that you run yourself ragged and then in the end your so called client ends up deciding to buy/sell with a more experienced agent or sit on the fence. I have learned to weed out the so called tire kickers. I try to get more rest, but that mind just keeps churning. I am finally working in a work out schedule. I do not answer my phone after 9 p.m. unless I'm working on an offer/deal. I have told my clients that there is nothing that can be done regarding appointments or information after 9 that cannot wait until the next day. Most are agreeable. Because I work longer hours on weekends, I try to make sure to incorporate free time during the week. great thoughts from you and I enjoyed reading your article and the other comments. They all make sense.

Wow, this post was one I enjoyed very much. You gave some wonderful insight as to how we can all take better care of ourselves and balance work with personal gain.

Thank you!

I'm impressed - Let me add - if you REALLLLLLLLLLY want to get a feel for how out of balance you are - trying coloring your week in - Green Money making activitied, Yellow admin activities and Pink YOUR TIME -
I was aghast these past few weeks to see how little Time I have that's for me - and YES I AGREE if you don't take it - you'll negatively impact the rest of the week.. .

Off to try meditation... and exercise

Jamie,

I love the personal aspects you've made a priority in your life. It is really true, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone/anything else. Real estate is a fantastic career in my eyes, but it consume us if we allow it to and eventually we'll burn out. I meditate as well and it truly does give me a clearer picture and focus all around.

Everyone likes to claim that they don't have enough time. Make it. In reality most of what the normal person does each day is waste time. There is time if you want there to be time.

Thanks for sharing!

Love your post image. "A picture tells a thousand words!" In principle, you and I agree on time management. I've found exercise to be one of the single best items for time management. ;)

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•

Our ActiveRain Blog

Great post...by taking care of yourself first, you are actually making it easier to take care of everything else so its actually not a selfish task at all....I recently discovered yoga and have added that to my life...it helps..

Yes, I am guilty of pushing everything else down below RE. The exercise HAS to come back up to the top, otherwise I will weigh a ton in a matter of years! Letting go of some of the business seems to me to be the best idea. An assistant might help too :-)

Jamie,

Thanks for this! I also take an hour or so of "quiet time" in the morning, but what your post helped me realize is that it's not really quiet time. I spend it surfing the net and checking my email and then I jump into my day with out any plan of attack! I will put this planning session into affect asap!

Something that's got me down though, is that I feel like I'm so busy that I'm having difficulty managing my social life. Therefor it is dwindling down to nothing. How do you take time off for friends when you are expecting a counter offer, or need to draft a last minute inspection notice?

This time management issue has been something on my mind a lot lately, your post helps more than you would know...

Thank you,

Brendan Winans

Well Said! Everyone needs to take care of themself first. One can not do a great job if they are a wreck. Also set limits and allow yourself time off and to play is so important. No balance will break a person.... maybe not today or tommorrow but it will happen.

Cheers! Good write.

@ Toni - You definitely sound busy. :) I'm so glad this helped inspire you to exercise! I'm behind you 100%!

@ Norma - Totally agree. Nutrition is a biggie. It's the next area to work on for consistency myself. :)

@ Joyce - Maximum Achievement is a great book! And I think it's fantastic you gave meditation a try. Now I couldn't imagine starting my day without it (well sometimes I have to make myself start...but I'm always glad I did by the time I finish.)

@ Joeann - That's a fantastic quote from Gandhi. I've never heard it before, but it definitely sings to me. :)

@ Jennifer - It's great to hear that sleep is such a priority for you...even with your 2 children...Nice discipline!

@ Diane & Sonja - I've picked up Yoga recently myself. I found myself dreaming about stretching out...so I finally bit the bullet and learned a few poses. I love the backbend that decompresses my lower back. And lots of leg stretches to help with the aches of sitting so long...and running. Lol...everytime it seems like when I add more to my life to enrich it, I won't have the time...and then end up boosting my productivity even more. I'm surprised everytime and I love it! :D

@ William - I think half the reward in working for yourself is the ability to sculpt your life in the way you want it to be. If that's the case, then why shouldn't feeling good be a part of that? The other half is the ability to make your own salary. I just love being able to grow my business as much as I want...and knowing the only one that can possibly hold me back is...me!

@ Marcia - Nice system! I know some very successful agents that do just that. And I'm so happy that you've decided to give meditation a try!

@ Susan - Well said. And it's so nice to meet another meditator in our industry. :)

@ Brendan - I set aside time on Saturday evenings for social time with friends. I made a personal choice a while ago to try and take Sundays off. Since I can sleep in a bit on Sunday, I feel good about getting together with friends for dinner or games on Saturday evenings. And since it's a regular practice, my friends have been great about accomodating...since they know I'm making time for them, they respect my efforts and schedule enough to do our gatherings then.

@ Everyone who's taken the time to write - Thank you so much for all the wonderful support and comments. It's so great to hear how you've made time (or have been inspired to make time) for yourselves...so you can enjoy your business, your family and your life. Who says you can't have it all? :)

Good thoughts...finding your "high"...when do your brain cells function best...are you a morning or evening person....does a 10 minute power nap get you thru 6 more hours...knowing your body is to make your life work and your life's work easier.

Jaime- Congrats on your first GOLD STAR! That is awesome and for a post that is well deserving and important. Taking time to meditate is huge. Nestor meditates every day. I used to until homeschool started again. But I will get back to it as soon as my son can read enough to do some work while I meditate.

One thing I may add to the meditation and for those who don't take an hour to do so,

Start the first 15 minutes when you wake up and the last 15 before you fall asleep doing your gratitudes. Whether that is prayer or affirming what you are grateful for in your life will have a huge impact on your success and relationships. Writing them down is even more powerful. I have a gratitude journal. Katerina

Prior to the last couple of weeks, I would have told you that I couldn't do it. There would be no way that I can schedule and meditate and exercise and SLEEP? But for the last 14 days (ending yesterday), I have been on the detox where I only juiced vegetables and some fruit. I did not chew for 14 days. My Rheumatoid cleared up greatly, I lost 13 pounds, and now I feel like I can do anything! I have spent the day cleaning the house with my daughter, trying to make a special place for my elliptical machine and pilates machines so that I would actually use them. Then I am going to do a bedroom makeover and get my office out of my bedroom (I have a HUGE bedroom), so that I actually want to go to sleep at night and rest in that room.

I am going to try the meditation in the morning as well...I think that will be great, but I don't know if it will end up being more of just a "focus on the day ahead" time for me...not sure if I'll be able to just tune out the world and "be"...but you never know!

With all my busy real estate clients, sometimes their emergencies become my emergencies, and while I'm happy to help when I can, I am starting to learn that staying up until 3am to help a client get a marketing proposal or such done, really just enforces the fact that if they procrastinate that I will come to the rescue and help to bail them out...which of course deep down inside I really want to...but that isn't helping anyone in the end.

Hi Jamie - your points in this post are just what most of us ignore the most, and are the worst at taking care of for ourselves.

"Mind chatter" is something I have a problem with many nights. I am going to do my best to implement what you've outlined here. I need to, and I want to, and spelling it out the way you did in this post makes it seem attainable.

Thank you for these tips to help achieve balance.
Ann

Thanks for the pointer on having a somewhat balanced life, while having a busy one. MN Web Design

Thanks for sharing your secrets on how you balance a busy life. I have a similar daily routine, but I do not devote as much time as you do. After reading your blog I think I will reevaluate my day and fit in some more time to take care of myself. Thanks again for your post.

well is hard to find time to do everything, but some how I allways find that extra hour to finish, but thanks for sharing.

Jamie... each peron has to do what works best for them.... It may not work for others...they must do what works best for them

I do a little planning, before I go to bed each evening. I write a list of tasks that need to be performed the next day. I try to get these tasks done as early as possible the next day. I swim laps for exercise. And while I'm swimming, I often have creative ideas about my business, my life, and what I'm going to cook for dinner. I also agree with those that say they sleep. I love sleep and consider myself an "expert" recreational sleeper!

Having a little quiet time would be good for me. Thing is, my kids wake me up bright and early, and then we're off and running.

OCT

2008

Really great post Jamie! I do work out 6 days a week and try to make sure I have time for myself, exercise really does give you lots of energy and help to clear the mind. The problem I've had is working late at night and not having a cut-off point but lately I've stopped working by around 7 or 8 and it's made a big difference. For me, 8 to 9 hours sleep works best and makes me more productive throughout the day.

Jamie, great post. Meditation is very important to clear our mind and live the present. Exercise too is so important for the body's balance; as a former physician I could only confirm. Everything is question of time management too, and these good things are maybe more difficult to accomplish for people with family and kids.

Great post and a much needed reminder. It's too easy to slip back into the crazy pace. Thanks

Jamie - I have a similar schedule to yours but the problem is being consistent. If I have a few late nights then I don't get up early enough to exercise ... and the spiral goes down from there. Thanks for the reminder ... pippa

What an excellent post! Thank you Jamie for making me realize how much I have let myself get caught up not only with this crazy business of ours, but also with my personal life. I was on top of my game 2-3 years ago,eating healthy, exercising hard 5-6 days weekly, and still being quite productive professionally. Physically I was probably in some of the best shape of my life. I had an exercise partner that pushed me to levels I had never reached before. One wrong move one day, and I pulled my back. Have you ever heard that the hardest thing about exercise is getting started?, even if you were committed previously? Well it is very true. I know I need it, since I feel lousy, have packed on 20+ lbs, low energy,etc., etc. But still I have not been able to schedule the time to start taking care of myself again. It has been a downward spiral that I HAVE TO STOP!

Recently I have also relized that my best production years were the ones where I did maintain my top physical and mental conditioning.

You have given me the push that I needed. Apparently many of us do get caught up at one time or another. It is then that we need to step back, take a moment to evaluate where we are going, where we have been, and where we are. This post that I accidentally came across, while I was doing my morning ritual of catching up on email, etc., has really hit home.

It is time for me to push myself into taking care of me again. .....and in doing so, I will be better taking care of my business.

Thank you for refocusing me!

Great suggestions, they are things we need to make time for. It's a good reminder. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this post, very important Things to do every day, I will make time for that.

This makes me bust out laughing!

This sounds like a great routine; I'm going to ty it. Thanks.

Thanks for those words of wisdom, Jamie. This business, more than most others, has the tendency to take over our lives if we let it. Taking time for ourselves, especially first thing in the morning, is a great start. I am an early riser by nature, but I need to work harder at getting to bed earlier. Time blocking is a very powerful, helpful tool, advocated by many successful people. I need to be more diligent about that, as well!

Linda Schulte, Keller Williams North Atlanta

I loved your insight, Jamie. We keep our phones "on' from 7am to 7pm PST daily. That works well for us.

Be well.

Colleen

Such good key points that we all too often forget. Thanks for the reminder.

Jamie,

Today, you're my favorite blogger!

Mike in Tucson

OCT

2008

@ Katerina - Thanks!!!

@ Christine - Good on you for taking the initiative to make such a big change in your life. And I think taking the office out of you bedroom is an excellent idea. I can see where it would be hard to get to sleep if you had all of your work sitting there in front of you. Good luck and stick with it!

@ Ann - There are many times where I still have mind chatter throughout the day and into the evening. I've been meditating for 12 years and even now at the most of my sits, there's still a little bit there. I can tell you this, however. My mind is so much clearer and focused throughout the day with meditation than it ever was without it. :)

@ Myrl - It sounds like you use swimming as a moving meditation. I have friends with similar experiences during running...but swimming has to be even better for a pure, rhythmic motion. And I get a lot of my insights during meditation, too! (Actually, the style of meditation I do is called Vipassana...and is more commonly known as "Insight" meditation.)

@ Thomas - 6 days a week is fantastic! I really want to work my way into lifting 3 days a week and running/cardio 3 days a week. It's so great to hear that you're so good at making time for both exercise and sleep!

@ Pippa - Agreed. Consistency is the key to real results...and probably the biggest hurdle in this kind of routine. And cheers to the Woodlands...I'm originally from Beaumont. :)

@ Jerry - Ouch! Back injuries are the worst. I'm happy you decided to get back into what worked so well for you. And it can definitely be frustrating to experience set backs. You gotta have guts to stick it out and "start over" again. I've found that it's always easier than I thought it would be...it's like the mind and body remember what it felt like and actually helps you get back there faster than you did the first time.

@ Linda - That's the challenge for the early riser. Once you become one...there's no going back. So the discipline for us is actually going to bed early...we've already got "waking up early" down whether we want to or not. :)

OCT

2008

Wow. I am so impressed! Congratulations on a wonderful system and many wishes for continued success. I am a lover of meditation, yoga and though I was never a big "sleeper", I am trying hard to resist the temptation to work late. You are an awesome role model.

Elayna Fernandez

Naples Marketing Blog

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