What Happens When You Become "Too Available”?

Eddie,

I agree that time blocking is essential or you risk losing track of what is most important and fulfilling.  I do see where allowances can be made to reorder appointments of the same level of value, but just not making that practice habitual.

I think it is IMPERATIVE to time block but we have to be FLEXIBLE since we work with a variety of personalites.  I used to leave ever-changing messages about my availability but mostly people complained the message was too long and really didn't care what I was doing or when I was available.  People call when they can and don't care.  I appreciate that given it annoys me when I can't get ahold of people when it is convenient for me.

What has worked for me is to set a schedule, share it with my clients and be sure to express how available I am when there is URGENT need versus questions.  I find that even impatient people respect that differentiation.  When it is urgent I tell them to say so I can drop what I am doing if I am able to do so. 

I text, email, efax, and do s from my droid.  I even forward docs from my google docs to share, etc. I offer quality, prompt, exemplary customer service and am not afraid of losing clients over a decision to not interrupt a date night with my husband or family time with my kids.   It's all a matter of judgement calls and flexibility!  Thanks for sharing!

I don't feel we need to be available to clients 24/7 however, I do believe we need to have flexibility with clients and our availability.  If I can't get to a call I let it go to voice mail and then return the call when it's convenient.  I really dislike when I call someone with a question at 10am and the message says that they return calls between 4 and 5, etc.  If I was a consumer, I would simply move on.

We are NOT doctors, lawyers, dentists, or anything else. I don't spend several hours with my doctor in a car looking at homes, having lunch, putting out proverbial fires.  We are real estate agents and our jobs are about customer service.  Sometimes that means answering the phone at odd times.

Eddie - I agree.  Time is something everyone has the same amount of.  How we spend it definitely is tied to the amount of success we have.  

You are 100% correct.  Answering the phone is one thing, but allowing a client or another agent to control your day can ultimately spell disaster. 

Great reminder for time blocking.  This should be first on our lists of "to dos" every day.

Great post and comments.  No matter how long we have been in the business it's always a good reminder.

I wish it were always this easy.  I've worked on this repeatedly and my day always gets disrupted!  Hate to admit that.  Great post!

Nicely done. I like that you made a simple point and you were extremely concise and the comments really added to the article.

THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME!

I try to steer clients into the best time slots for me.  However, I also want to point out that many proffesions that are too strict with scheduling are also resented.  Some one may wait for a doctor appointment or work it into their schedule.  Realtors do not rate the same respect.

Great points, and good reminders. Even though I know this I often find myself getting pulled off my task at hand because someone calls. Unfortunately at this point I recognize it too late. So know it is time to recognize it before hand and do things to prevent it from happening. Thanks for the info.

I am not a Dentist, a Doctor, an Attorney or Accountant. It is rather presumptious to even put real estate agents in the same category. Those professions require extensive degrees and certification. The average real estate agent had to take 60 hours of in class training and then pass a State exam.

Beyond that, it is only required that most agents be present for 15 or 16 hours of continuing education.

Hairdressers have to be scrutinized more than that.

We are in the service industry. We are self employed. Time blocking or any other catch phrase used to indicate it is better to be organized is fine, but please don't let anyone think you believe our profession is on the same level as those that actually have to earn the designation.

Great post. I may not a be doctor, attorney, or dentist but my time (both business & personal) are just as valuable. It doesn't always work out, but I try to balance my business hours with my personal hours. My family understands that the life of a Realtor is a little abnormal. But I try to to be available for my clients but also make sure they understand that I have family time that is set aside. I've never had a client not understand that or not respect that. In fact, some have complimented me on it. Each of us needs to find out what works for us individually. But finding balance has certainly worked best for me ... and if it's done anything, it's help me improve my business in the last year.

  Everyone does what works best for them and we have been the realtors called often...because we answered the phone, took the time etc....time blocking is a valuable tool....weighed with availability for those we have to honor to serve.

I really need to get better at time blocking.  I do try not to work on Sunday unless an out of town buyer is in, and I recently put my business hours "Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm and Saturdays by apointment" on my voice mail.  Now if I could just get that time blocking down.

well put. In fact, most people will ask you when you are available, so why not tell thwm?

Your Right Eddie-   If people do not take the time to ask your availability or schedule an appointment my perception is they do not value and respect their time.

More than likely they are not the most ideal clients and can't buy anyway!

Thank you for writing this post. I think I need to bookmark it and read it every Monday morning until it becomes a habit. We all need to be reminded of this now and then. It's funny how our "business " gets in the way our business. Happens all the time!

this may be the greatest post EVER on AR....I could go on and on for pages and pages on this topic, it is THE NUMBER ONE REASON most agents will never make the money they are seeking, and, why most will be average to slighly above average at best........

LOL.  I found your post funny because if anything, I'm accused of being too UNavailable.  I take my time very seriously, and I don't let phone calls or e-mails distract me from my tasks.  Other agents get frustrated that they have to wait to hear back from me sometimes, but so be it.  I have time-blocked my day, and when it's their time, they will get 100% of my attention.