HOW DO YOU KEEP UP? ....DO YOU KEEP UP?...OH, I SEE.....We Are Never Going To Be Able To Keep up!!!

The hurrieder I dos, the behinder I gets.  ;-)

Dear Paula,

Sometimes being a relaxed, pleasant human being is more important than having the latest whiz bang. In the meantime, we fake it 'til we make it, no?

I created a schedule for myself that includes some technology each day, usually an hour.  Don't try to do everything on each day - it is impossible and you will feel like you should be in the social media business!  But here's an example:

Sunday:  videos

Monday: blog, website maintenance

Tuesday: facebook, twitter, linkedin

Wednesday: blog, trulia, zillow

Thursday: research new stuff, ie qr codes or single property websites; videos

Friday: blog, facebook

Saturday: trulia, zillow, realtor.com

(This isnt my real schedule but you get the idea.  Just cycle through whatever it is you want to do.)  Keep on keepin' on!

Paula,  Thanks for this conversation.  Looks like lots of us are having trouble getting ahead, let alone keeping up.  The tech people are going to just keep throwing more updates at us, and we just have to decide how much we can handle.  I'm in the process of deciding whether an IPad is what I need next.  And have been trying to update my website for months!  Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Posterous, etc., etc., etc.   And remembering, that, above all, it's the one-on-one contacts that make the difference!

Timewise, I try to follow the idea to work hard when working and play hard when playing.  Which I do pretty well.  Will have to admit, it's difficult  for me to take long vacations, too, even though my son is my partner and can handle the business when I'm gone.  I think I'm just a workaholic.  There is, like they say about housework (who does that anymore???), always something more to do.  Or learn!

We just have to do what we can, without going crazy!  Now I have get my house clean for a party.  Have been putting it off all day, because I'd rather be here and answering emails!  So appreciate what I learn from all of you.

No one can do it all.  You have to carefully choose what works for you.  Then of course you need to change as the market demand changes so you have to carefully choose new things and discard old.  Different things work of different people too.

Hi Paula, Technology seems to be advancing exponentially and it seems to me that the people who can hire assistants will keep up with these changes or the people who require little sleep.  Your very unfortunate situation with the unloyal customer that could not wait for your return, seems to have thrown you into a place that can be unhealthy for you, i.e. too much stress is unhealthy.  Yet, you have this healthy desire to continue to learn and grow.  I hope that you can find the balance that gives you peace and reduces the stress that could stop you in your tracks.

Thank you for this post.  It is a subject I struggle with, so it was good to hear your comments and the comments of others.

All the best.
Gloria

Paula, Work to Live! Don't Live to Work!

I gave up on "trying to keep up" a long time ago. I think we need to know the basics. Some Realtors in my area don't even know how to scan a document, uggg. I cringe when they are at their office and say, "can I just fax it to you?"

So many things are automatic. I concentrate on my listings. They need to be accurate, good photos, a nice write up in the remarks and all related documents available for another Realtor to properly show one of my properties. Once advertised on the MLS, H&L magazine and a couple other places, the listing spiders out to thousands of other sites. All I need to be able to do is answer the phone, emails, texts and be prompt getting the customer the information requested. Being nice helps too:)

I figure the longer I sit in front of this computer, the less time I have to shake someones hand.

Don't get me wrong, I think keeping up with technology is important, however, there is no one in cyber space writing you a pay check for doing so. It's meeting people face to face that will result in a sale.

Oh, vacations are important! Just remember, Work to Live....Don't Live to Work!

Paula, we are definitely ALL in it, whether we know it or not. Those who don't know it may be about to be hit by an avalanche as they are so totally unprepared by the onslaught of technology. I liken them to the agents who have left the business who couldn't handle email and cell phones...

Sharon

Hi Paula, your post reminds me of what a seasoned expert said when I was trying to "catch up".  She said "ketchup come in a bottle".  Never truer than when it pertains to technology.

This is something that is really frustrating to me.  I always feel behind and like I can't catch up and like I don't know everything I need to know and I think the problem is that trying to do it all is a detriment to me.  I need to focus on a few things and run with them and that's it otherwise I am constantly frustrated. -Kasey

I think it's impossible and it's refreshing to read your post and know I'm not the only one who feels this way.  It is hard to keep up!

i feel your pain!  Especially the going away for a few days or a week part.... it's so hard to get away and not think about what's happening behind your back, only to be blindsided!  Good luck with trying to keep up anyway.

Paula, there's just no way for one real estate agent to use every single new technology gadget that comes along. We can be aware of most and use the ones that work best for us but we must spend a good portion of our time with real people on actual real estate to be successful.