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White Rabbit Syndrome - Do You Have It?

By
Education & Training with Accelerated Performance Coaching

You probably remember the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland – he was always rushing around and saying, "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date. No time to say 'Hello,' 'Goodbye.' I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!"

White rabbit running late

Cute in a cartoon. Not so funny if that is your life…and for too many real estate professionals these days, it is everyday life.

Man on cell phone upset

Our industry is sick, and I'm not talking about the fact that the market is in trouble. I mean that the real estate industry is breeding people who become emotionally and physically ill. There is so much competition and pressure that agents feel the need to be constantly "on" and instantly responsive. Technology can be a wonderful tool for business, but we've let that become a slave-driver to the point that too many agents are permanently attached to their "smart phones," and buy into the idea that if you don't respond in under five minutes to every phone call or email that your business will disappear. Agents rush from place to place running on not enough sleep, too much caffeine, and an overdose of adrenaline from their own overstressed systems.

As an industry, we are addicted to adrenaline, burning out, and heading for a major breakdown. Can we fix the industry? No…but we can change one person at a time, and in time that will change the industry.

We need boundaries. We need to take command of our time. We need to get off adrenaline, take command of our own health and care, and stop overdriving our systems. Adrenaline is that old “fight or flight” hormone that has been around as long as humans have. The adrenal gland is part of your immune system; when you are stressed, it kicks into high gear and floods your body with chemicals that help you face challenges and cope with difficult situations. Many of us who live in achievement-focused, modern day America are using adrenaline as the fuel that keeps us going. While it’s a great resource in emergencies, as your primary fuel it can have some very nasty side effects. Dr. Archibald Hart's book, Adrenalin and Stress, is an in-depth look at the whole problem and points to addiction to adrenaline as a leading indicator of future heart disease.

Think of it this way: if you have a car that you love and value, and the engine runs best at a steady 3,000 rpm, what would happen if you ran it steadily at 7,500 rpm? That engine would wear out well before its time, and it would die. That engine at 7,500 rpm is your body on caffeine, adrenaline, and self-imposed time stress.

Here's a revolutionary challenge for you. For one week do these two things:

  1. Plan to get to every appointment 10 minutes early.
  2. Reduce your caffeine intake dramatically.

Sound impossible? Difficult, surely. But here are two who have successfully gotten off the stress train:

Elvis in Chicago says,

Clock at ten to one

"I used to run from one appointment to another. Forgetting to leave room for travel time, I'd multi-task until the very last second. I would leave late, arrive disheveled yet adrenalin pumped.

I used to think a few minutes late, no problem. There was at least one time when I showed up just a few minutes late (no problem) only to find another Realtor® had shown up early. They were already engaged in the appointment when I showed up. I didn't get the listing. 

On at least one occasion, by leaving with intent to be early I had run into major traffic problem. In spite of the traffic I was still on time. Since changing and leaving early, I have actually been told that in at least one case I got the listing over someone else as the other agent showed a bit late which they felt was a severe lack of respect. I guess the early bird does get the worm."

And Rose in California says:

Coffee  cups

"I was exhausted and thought drinking caffeine would rev me up. It did for the moment yet the exhaustion was getting worse. I went to the doctor and after tests it was discovered that my adrenal glands were over taxed. The doctor described it like a racehorse that is going as fast as it could and I was still beating it to death. Eventually the horse will keel over. I was pushing my self with not enough rest and by adding caffeine. I was told if I didn't significantly change what was causing my over taxing and caffeine use my health would suffer. 

I started taking steps to do this by taking a couple days off a week, cut out all but one cup of coffee in the morning and that was diluted, blocked my schedule where I stopped reacting to the phone EVERY time it rang.

I found I had more time, less stress, more energy, more focus, sleeping better, just all around better health. And believe it or not, I had more business with people who were respecting my schedule. If you don't have your health you can't work." 

 

We all need to build a healthy foundation. One thing that helps build that foundation is The Real Estate Game. It's about taking control instead of letting your business control you, and the goal is making more money and having a life and business you love again.

Implementing this kind of self-care is not as hard as you might think. A bit of planning, being aware of the stressors that you can control, and then taking action to remove the things (and people) that are making your life less than you want and less than you deserve. Next time I’ll talk more about that. For now, are you ready to stop being a white rabbit and start enjoying the success and life you deserve?

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Patti Kouri, Accelerated Performance Coaching
Helping You Through Self-Made Limitations

Comments (9)

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I'm a tea sipper, not a coffe drinker so my caffeine intake is much lower.  I'm rarely late as I find that way too stressful, plus I like to appear cool, calm and collected when my client appears.

Sep 04, 2010 11:41 AM
Anonymous
Kath Scipione

I am on time to appointments.  I am outsourcing so I can concentrate on clients. Your ideas and statements are thought-provoking and certainly worth consideration.  Thank you.

Sep 07, 2010 01:50 PM
#3
Lorraine or Loretta Kratz
Crescent Moon Realty, Inc. & Land N Sea Auctions. - San Marcos, CA
Certified Negotiation Consultants

Being late and showing no respect for the individuals that I have made an appointment with is not in my nature. Usually I am early and wait for the the person that I have the appointment with. I do know agents that have the "white rabbit syndrome".

Sep 07, 2010 04:59 PM
Carla Harbert
www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH
RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Now and then, I am guilty of the white rabbit syndrome - trying to please everyone & make every appointment, when I really needed to step back & consider a little better planning on my part. I've slowed down now, after learning from life lessons - with better time management, plus my 3 boys have grown, moved on with families of their own, so no little ones at my feet or teenagers to keep a close eye on. Balance is important, with good organization skills. Once again, great post Patti.

Sep 08, 2010 04:19 PM
Coach Patti Kouri
Accelerated Performance Coaching - Chatsworth, CA

Hi everyone,

Thank you for stopping by and for your wonderful comments.

First, I want to clarify the reference I made to
the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland...

Rabbit's "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late" bit
reflects his constant state of frenzy. Adrenalin.
Some missed the point and thought it was about
being late.

It is about being in a frenzy. Being always "on."
Being an adrenalin junkie. And the harm that can
do to your mental and physical well-being. Not to
mention your real estate career.

Warmest,

Coach Patti Kouri

Sep 10, 2010 10:08 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Well you pegged me.  I will probably be late for my own funeral.  I'm always over extending myself to everyone my family, clients, kids, friends etc.  I have such a problem with saying "NO" and I think everyone sees that.  I can relate to the white rabbit because I'm always running in circles and sometimes I'm so exhausted at the end of the day yet haven't accomplished anything.

Sep 11, 2010 03:19 AM
#7
John Martelotti
KW Staten Island - Staten Island, NY
Your Staten Island, NY Real Estate Resouce!

I have been guilty of the white rabbit way from time to time. Though I have become more aware whenever I am acting like a raving lunatic - you know, those guys you see screaming at the traffic in front that won't move f##**ing fast enough - I still need to take a step back to get myself to shift into low gear. There is no doubt in my mind that stress is a killer not only to your health, but to your relationships as well.

Oct 08, 2010 08:48 AM
Ryan Pringle
Realtor, GRI, Keller Williams - Woodland Hills, CA

Guilty as charged. I agree 100% with setting boundaries and have only been able to do it since I had my daughter and said the phone goes off at 7 pm so I can spend time with her and get her ready for bedtime. I think most clients understand that we can't be "on" and effective 24/7

Oct 19, 2010 06:38 AM