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Rid Yourself of the Nonpaying Busywork

By
Mortgage and Lending with Doorway Home Loans Equal Housing Lender

Have you ever had a something happen that originally felt like a small disaster, that later turned out to be a blessing? I had one of those situations this past week.

As I was heading to a morning appointment, I realized the screen on my cellphone had gone dead. This was a real bummer for me, 'cause I pretty much use my cellphone like a laptop. The worst part was I had downloaded several applications with tons of information that I would now be lost because it was not tranferable to my sim card. I know I should always have this kind of valuable info backed up, but isn't that why we have "smart" phones? (Just jokin'.)Smartphone

As I reluctantly struggled through my day, without my tool of trade, it suddenly hit me: losing access to my phone was actually exactly what I needed. You see, for weeks I'd been putting off simplifying my business (or should I say my "busy-ness"), freeing up things so I could be more focused and productive. Over time, I had allowed way too many projects and to-do's to jump on my plate. Unfortunately, one of my biggest strengths is also a weakness: I'm very adventurous and love a new challenge. In other word, I'm a sucker for a great idea, and if I'm not careful I can find myself juggling way too many things at once .

Now the slate was clean and I had no choice but to start fresh.

Dumping anything & everything that is anything less than ideal is the best way to free up resources (time, money, energy) to be laser-focused on building your ideal business. It can be scary at first (especially if you are getting rid of practices you have been doing for years), but once you do it you'll have more energy,and be able to move faster towards your goals.

It's only been a few days since I've "de-cluttered" my biz, and I already feel so much more productive and free...To Do list

In this instance, less is truly more.

FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Phil - Technology can add a lot of inefficencies to your business.  It is a good idea to clean up apps, computers etc. periodically.

Nov 27, 2011 12:53 AM
Valerie Duncan Stewart
(Metro First Realty) - Oklahoma City, OK
Real Estate Agent-Broker, OKC, OK

Phil,

Getting back to basics through an electronic glitch is sometimes exactly what we need. I have decided to focus on my strengths for 2012 and add the less than "ideal" practices as I can (translate: busy work I am not proficient in). Great post!

Nov 27, 2011 02:30 AM
Linda Gurtel, CRS
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Glastonbury, CT

Technology can be a curse sometimes.  (Like when the power goes out for 10 days).

Nov 27, 2011 02:31 AM
Jane & Jeff Daley, PhD
Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Real Estate Arizona

We're always looking for technology that can help us and make our life easier at the same time. If it takes a lot of effort to learn the technology, i.e., the learning curve is high it does not meet our initial test. In the end, technology is great - But, only when it works.

Nov 27, 2011 02:47 AM
Susan Isaacs | DC Real Estate Consultant
Compass | 1313 14th St NW DC 20005 - Washington, DC
Partnering with: DOMOofCompass

What a winning attitude you have, Phill! 

Nov 27, 2011 02:53 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Phil, I find some of the details of our job too time consuming.  Recently, we fine tuned and dropped some of the applications and now we're focusing on the clients.  Works more profitable.

Nov 27, 2011 03:08 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Tools help us increase performance and efficiencies, so keeping them maintained and up to date is essential to maintain any business. Some can continue to operate their business without them, while others might not. We should all be able to execute without the tools, but not at the speed of light. LOL.

Nov 27, 2011 03:26 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Phil-Don't forget that some results are only realized after a long-term effort. So don't dump everything just because no immediate benefit is achieved.

Nov 27, 2011 03:26 AM
Kate Akerly
Kaminsky Group - Manhattan Beach, CA
Manhattan Beach Residential Sales

Great point.  There are so many ways to get "ping-ponged" in this business, jumping from one task to the next because some force (a client, another agent, technology, etc.) pushed you in that direction.  It's important to become focused and determine what activities are worth doing.  After that one needs to look at the ROI on each task worth doing to prioritize their day.

Nov 27, 2011 03:30 AM
Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Steamlined is my mission for 2012 and it sounds like you're on the same track!   I suggest you look into Carbonite.com for automated backup on your computer and phone.  It took me having my smart phone stolen and being without my schedule and my contact #s.  I now back up my phone to my laptop and Carbonite.com works away in the background saving everything I do without me having to give it a thougtht!

Congrats on the feature!

Nov 27, 2011 03:37 AM
John Fauth
Coldwell Banker King Thompson - Grove City, OH
Turning your dreams into an address!

It is easy to fall into a faster pace thinking we just need to do something.  Congratualtions on refocusing! It doesn't hurt to hear this from time to time to wake us up and redirect us to what is important.  The busy work can truly take us over if we let it.

Nov 27, 2011 03:57 AM
Linda Jamail Marshall
Linda Marshall,Houston Texas, Linda Marshall, Realtors® - Houston, TX
Broker, ABR,QSC,RECS,ACRE - Innerloop Houston, Tex

Steamlined is a mission for myself, it is a constant work in progress, despite my best efforts.  Great post Phil

Greetings from Innerloop Houston Texas

Linda Jamail Marshall,ABR,QSC,RECS,Broker

713-523-4600 info@LindaMarshallRealtors.com

Nov 27, 2011 04:48 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Losing my iPhone would be anything other than a good thing. I'd probably end up in the hospital after some kind of anxiety attack.

Nov 27, 2011 06:35 AM
Ellen Dittman
Watson Realty Corp. - Middleburg, FL
#1 Stop for NE FLA-JAX/OP 904.535.1199 (TEXT OK) r

Phil, I have never lost my phone however cleaning up the clutter of data bases and such things is work but in the long run i think it creates a better focus. I may be an information hourder.

Nov 27, 2011 07:07 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Sometimes it is hard to let go of stuff.  It is also hard to figure out what is really important and what is not.

Nov 27, 2011 11:25 AM
Team Randy & Jenny Thomas
Team Thomas Realtors - Springfield, MO

Glad to hear you're RELIEF...

We all get overwhelmed with TOO much technology today.

Funny for me to say that...I'm a techie!

Gotta step sometimes and use a pen and paper!

Nov 27, 2011 03:46 PM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

Sorry - er - Congratulations on getting a new start. I can tell it's almost time for me to have another computer crash (and I'm purposely not backing things up). So I'll be joining you (and looking forward to getting rid of all of this "stuff" my computer has attracted over the years.

Nov 28, 2011 02:09 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Phil, Excellent point and lesson. Although it is my pet peeve with cell phone carriers who don't understand that our business runs on their phones.  1.2.3 days without one?  Might as well shut us down!

Nov 28, 2011 11:03 AM
Monique Ting
INET Realty Honolulu, HI - Honolulu, HI
Your agent under the sun

Aloha Phil,

Thank you for sharing that great message. I often wonder what to do in case the internet or the power goes dead for an extended period of time... I keep all of my important information in non-electronic form... just in case!

Nov 28, 2011 01:17 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

Way to see the silver lining! This is a nerve wracking experience and I love your attitude through it! Now the challenge is not to be tempted by new apps! Congrats on decluttering!

Nov 30, 2011 12:40 AM