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Quality of life. Family..

By
Real Estate Agent with National Real Estate of Prescott

  Many of us in this industry are very fortunate.  We got into the Real Estate industry to make enough money to live the way we desire. I for one get a little to involved in the industry and the family takes the hit. Not spending enough time with them. Not being able to accomplish a honey do list because JOE BUYER just got into town and now only has two days to find his dream home. So what do we do, Drop everything else and go help JOE find his home. Ooooooooooops JOE really is just doing a preliminary inspection of the area and doesn't plan on buying for another 3 months. The honey do list didn't get anything done. The family outing got cancelled. No deal from JOE BUYER who had to have a home this weekend.  SO we must prioritise. As professionals in our industry we have the ability to schedule our time. We all have hobbies and families that also need our attention. We ( my family) try and keep up our property and also do the things we like to do. My Daughter plays sports ( I coach when I can) My wife and I show horses on a world class level that takes commitment everyday to do that. ( Training and breeding horses and going to shows). Not to mention all the daily chores that need to be done.

  So I have started this year scheduling  my days to include the things that are important too. I mark in my organizer, my personal life too. I make it a priority to be there at my daughters games and coaching them. I make time to train my horses ( Now first thing in the morning before I get to busy or tired from the day. I mean how many of us sell a house at 8:00AM. That couldn't be sold at 10:00AM. )  

  All the little victories in our business don't mean a whole lot if there is nobody to share them with. If you can't do your passion's in life then why do it. I think and feel we have a obligation to ourselves and our families that get over looked over and over. I for one have been with a client and started thinking I should have taken my daughter fishing today like I promised. I won't do that anymore. I can't.

 We do what we do for the Quality of life we wnat. Sure sometimes things need to be done. But the question I have for you is this. Does it have to be done right now or can we schedule it around our family and outside of work obligations. We are professionals.....  

In other industries ( Lawyers, Doctors and the like) do they work 20 hour work weeks or do they tell and schedule their clients to work during business hours)  There will always be exceptions I know. But we need to be in control of our business. Don't we?

Michael Thompson
CENTURY 21 Anderson Properties, Inc. - Anderson, SC
MBA

You are sooo right! When I was in corporate business, my wife got extremely mad at me because I was ignoring her. I confess, I am a workaholic.

To remedy this we had date night. I schedule a time each week for us to go out on a date. It worked.

Now that I am in real estate, my schedule is more flexible. I am spending even more time with her.

http://www.michaelthompsonproperties.com/

Apr 24, 2007 03:58 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Ken, In your planner, do you block off time for your family, for your self? I've found when I include those times in my planner I don't feel guilty at all when I have to say, "I'm sorry, I have an appointment at ____ time."

Sure the appointment is to have a tea party with my granddaughter. None the less, it is an important appointment. I wouldn't cancel an appointment with a client because something "better" came up. Neither would I cancel my granddaughter's scheduled time. Thanks for reminding us to make our priorities true priorities.

Apr 26, 2007 02:23 AM
Ken Nimmo
National Real Estate of Prescott - Prescott, AZ

Yvonne Yes I do.

I schedule time for my family, daughters sports and my time as I train my own show horses and for a long time I would try and do that at the end of the day. Guess what I was tired, horses didn't get the attention and I got embarassed at the show becuase my horse wasn't ready.  Now I train them every morning and it usually helps to get my mind straight for the day. My horses are World Class and the World Championships are coming in June/July.  We as Realtors do have other things in our life. We must always remember that. We are not machines. We are people too.....

Apr 26, 2007 02:36 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Ken, Where will the World Championships be held? Will you have to travel far? It sounds interesting.
Apr 26, 2007 03:48 AM
Ken Nimmo
National Real Estate of Prescott - Prescott, AZ
They are in Fort Worth Texas and it takes two days. Will be there about ten days.. It is interesting and can be lots of fun. Especially if you happen to win it. Top 5 is a great accomplishment too.
Apr 26, 2007 04:32 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Sounds like fun. Get good photos and share all.
Apr 26, 2007 07:47 AM