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I want to take a day off…But, what if…

Saturday is fast approaching and I think to myself that it has been raining for 3 weeks straight and that is the first dry day on the horizon, so why don't I take a day off? I haven't treated myself to any fun actives in over a month, and my kids, what are their names again?

But, wait, what if I hold an open house? With the good weather maybe I can get that customer that has been missing me for the past 3 weeks because of weather and work. You know business is slowing down... is it the holidays, is it the credit crunch? Can I afford to miss that one client?

Heck, I'm good enough, if they miss me, they will call my cell and leave a message or send me an e-mail. But, wait, if I go out and leave my phone, I can't answer that call... I can't answer that e-mail. Oh, the self doubt that this one potential client is bringing...my brain is starting to hurt.

Why oh, why do I hear my friends talk about their wonderful weekends at the coast or the mountains and every time they ask me what I did, it is always the same thing. "I held an open and showed some new buyers a couple houses."

This doesn't seem fair. Hell, at times they make 5 times what I do and they only work 40 hours a week and have medical and dental. Where is the fairness in that?

Oh, how do I take a day off and not feel guilty?

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
www.ifoundyournewhome.com

UPDATE:Instead of commenting back to everyone individually, I decided to take your advice instead

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 11/10/2008 10:18 AM

Comments (23)

Day Off in the Training Channel

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23 Comments on I want to take a day off…But, what if…

NOV

2008

It's one of those just do it! things. I for years never understood how my husbands worked interfered with our vacations, I remeber one year we went to a cozy N.C. chalet with the indoor hot tub, fireplace and NO PHONE, (before cellphones) and he still drove to a pay phone stood out in the cold to take care of business, Now its hard for me to get away or let the phone go unanswered, but balance in my life helps me be a better agent, Take a day for the family!

Hi Todd. Just take the day off. keep your phone with you if you must but you deserve some down time. I have a friend that I tag team with. She will watch my biz if I watch hers. That way each of us can have some guilt free time away and know that our bases are covered. BTW, it's Oregon....forecast for today-rain. Tomorrow-rain. Forecast for the next 6 months....more rain.

Todd - let me know when you figure it out. I feel the same way about taking time off, and by the time the weekend is over, I need a day. I am working towards taking one day off per weekend, but my minset is the same as yours - what if I miss that customer . . . we work in a competitive business here.

Take a lesson from Nike - Just Do It

Todd. Just do it. The family is the important thing. Just work harder the next day. Thanks, Royal..

It's all about balance. You've GOT to take time for your family - heck, yourself - sometimes. Just do it, and don't let all the "what ifs" distract you and spoil the time off! ~A:)

I think all sales people will feel "divided" when they struggle for that famous "balance" we're always hearing about. It seems the nature of the job itself predicts that we will always worry that we might be in the wrong place. It's probably because our livelihood is tied to the whim of someone else (buyer or seller), and they have an expectation level, especially today, that demands "instant response".

Try to find a buddy agent who will cover for you. I work on a team so it's easy for me. Some agents have a friend who is an agent and they cover for each other just so one can take some time off and not miss anything. You have to have a lot of trust between the two of you but it can work.

Good luck and take care.

I am on the same page as you. I feel like I need to be available to my realtors and my clients just in case they need me. In today's market there are too many people that are available. I say we take our time off when the market recovers and we can really enjoy ourselves.

Balance and you should never feel guilty for setting bounderies and having some time with the family. When you work hard, allow your self some time or it really is for nothing. The time lost with yourself and family is not worth a sale. This is just my thoughts and honestly I will work hard, but like everone, I need some time off too.

Best to you aan yours

Todd, We live here, we promote all the wonders of the PNW, why can't we enjoy it with the ones that mean the most us? We need to build these memories with our children. It's good for your heart and soul...

Todd

Take the day off; your kids will never get younger.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Todd,

Looks like you have received a lot of good advice here. I would like to encourge you to take at least one day off a week. When I first started as a Realtor I worked 18/7 and was doing pretty good. I am a Christian and started to become convicted of not taking a day off to rest. It was a huge struggle but I started taking Wednesday off because it felt like the slowest Real Estate day. But it did feel good still be working on Sunday. I now (this year) take every Sunday off and my business as multiplied by 4 even in this market in MI. I feel rested and able to work more efficently for my clients during the week. I put on all my ads that I work Mon-Sat 7a-9p so I'm up front about it, and don't feel like I have to hide from my phone. When I first started doing this I would turn my phone off and answer my messages on Monday morning first thing. Now with my business up by 4 times I can even leave my phone on and no one even calls. My Mondays are extremely busy but Sunday is now a family day.

Those are 'why' questions it sometimes does no good to ask! :-) But I'm so glad you took time off to spend it with the kids on the beach! Like Jeff above - i had a similar experience, single parent 3 kids under 6 - working crazy hours - one day I prayed about it - and had such a clear direction.......that God would provide for me if I worked 9-5 and no weekends.........And guess what? He did..! The next year I was #1 in my office..........and rarely rarely did I work a weekend or an evening after that........Now my kids are grown so I work what I like......but still for the most part keep to my original schedule..:-)

Also love the photo of your family - instead of the doormat baseball plate! lol

Todd, I hope you took the day off. Sounds like you need one. Great picture of you and the fam. Because business is slower for me I don't feel guilty about taking time off, it feels like all time off.

The guilt should lie in not spending the time with those great kids in the picture. I just took the day off went to Magic Mountain. Left an auto response on my email and turned my phone off when I got there. My husband also went with us, which was a real threat for the kids, he never gets the time off. Value it! My kids are almost grown. 12, 15 and 18. Every moment we have with our childern is a treasure and they won't remember how much money you made.

Todd- You don't have your children at home forever. I have 2 grown and gone and one still at home. It goes so fast. You have to set your priorities.

Todd, not only should you do it, you should "forget" your cell phone in your car. Does ANYONE remember when we didn't have cell phones and people couldn't get us 24/7? No one died!!! Wow, what a concept. Really, when you get back to them, you tell them you forgot the cell. They'll get over it quickly. Your family needs you.

TC,

Quit your whining!!! Give your brain a rest!!! Go with the flow!!! :) Thanks, Fran

Todd - I don't know about you, but I usually get more calls when I finally decide to take some time off. Just have a plan to cover for you when that one customer wants to buy your listing, and they don't have an agent.

NOV

2008

Todd my friend I totally empathize. I know for me I have gotten to the point that I will not feel guilty for having my own time....tough market or not. Just the stress you mentioned is enough reason to take the time with your kids...:) That's my vote....wait did we have a vote?

NOV

2008

Thank you everyone for your advice, my day with my kids was wonderful!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/792328/OK-I-did-it-and-the-world-didnt-end

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