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Downtime

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

We, in the real estate trade, work 24/7 and sometimes that's 365 days a year.

There are plenty of pundits who counsel that we need some "balance" in your life.  A mix of work, family and play.  It's difficult, since we're always chasing that next deal, wanting to help that next client, counsel that next buyer.

We don't want to let anyone down, including our own families.  We don't want to miss that next opportunity... after all, it could be the manse on the beach this time... right?   right?

But into each life, a little downtime must fall. And at that point, we tend to look like a deer in high-beams.  What do you do with your downtime?

Yoga, basketball, playing a little Scrabble with the family.  Do you turn your phone off, and read a book... (y'all know what I mean... one of those "paper things" where you turn the pages manually... not that i-pad version)... do you head out the gym, and spar with a trainer... or to the gun range, like a southern lady I know, and blast innocent clay pigeons out of the sky, taking out your aggressions, 'cause your so frustrated with your almost vegan diet?

So, What do you do to gain downtime?  Me?  I blog.


-12

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(37)

Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi - I take out good books from the library and read when I cannot sleep (each night!)...I enjoy my books, and I like to cook with my oldest son... the little things.. other than that working 24/7 for the bigger things!

Jun 01, 2012 02:32 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

What timing Alan.  I was just thinking about his very topic this morning.  I was so proud of myself last week.  I made it out of the house EVERY day and I'm slowly getting back in to the swing of real estate after all of my health battles last year.  Then I started to wonder if I was pushing too hard.  We took off on Sunday, but worked the rest of the long holiday weekend.  I think I need to start planning downtime so I don't end up BACK in the hospital!

BTW, having some downtime with the family tonight.  Son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandkiddos.  Gonna grill some burgers and dogs.  Can't wait!

Jun 01, 2012 03:28 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Tim - did you know that today is "National Doughnut Day"?

Gay - ahh... cookbooks!

Donna - you need to take care of yourself!

Jun 01, 2012 04:00 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Ok... I confess... I was a terrible Mom... I took my kids to The Donut Inn everyday before school.  Chocolate custard eclairs are my fav!

Jun 01, 2012 05:57 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Mel - how does that make you a terrible mother.... it IS "national doughnut day"!

Jun 01, 2012 06:27 AM
Gina Nugent
Donohue RE - Palm Beach, FL
Real Estate Agent - Palm Beach, FL

In my downtime, I want to go and shoot difficult clients and bankers......and then read a book!

Jun 01, 2012 09:37 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Gina - I'm sure you mean... with a camera... right?

Jun 01, 2012 11:17 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I work so that I can vacation. And when I go? I leave it all behind....as much as possible.

Jun 03, 2012 02:21 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Karen - that's a nice idea... I haven't had a decent vacation, in "I don't know how long".

Jun 03, 2012 02:50 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Alan, 

I need some downtime... I do not know how to let go and NOT work..  I feel like I am ALWAYS connected to work.  A vacation might definitely be in order.  :) 

Jun 03, 2012 08:41 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Judi - where shall we go?

Jun 03, 2012 10:44 PM
Chris Hardy
Elevations Real Estate, LLC www.BuyFortCollinsHomes.com - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Real Estate

We are all the better for your down time.  Love reading your stuff!  Down time is hard.  If I don't have something to do, I pace around like a caged lion - that's why vacations are so important.  Getting away is the best way for me to completely unplug.  Thankfully, my wife schedules those about every 6  months or so just to keep the re-charge station on the horizon!

 

Jun 06, 2012 01:27 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Chris - recharging is critical.

Jun 06, 2012 01:30 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Here I was looking for some downtime of my own and I thought, let me check out Alan May's blog, because I always get a good chuckle, and here I find you've taken some downtime (a week, anyway) from blogging...hope you're getting some R&R and recharging, and not just horribly over-booked.  

Jun 06, 2012 03:07 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Lisa - just going through a little "lackofmotivation".

Jun 06, 2012 05:25 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

I garden (not well, but I do it) and take photos.  And spend time with the midget.  Things that get me out of the chair, off the phone and away from the laptop!

Jun 06, 2012 06:19 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Lisa - I'm sure the midget appreciates it.

Jun 06, 2012 06:53 AM
Suzanne Strickler
Realty Mark Associates - Havertown, PA
School is never out for the Successful.

Alan - I would like to say Gardening but in reality it's weeding. I yank those little green stems right out by their roots. It's therapy, truly!

Jun 09, 2012 05:57 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

The family likes to go to Destin Florida (only 7 easy hours away) for R&R. During the week I have a buddy cover the bulk of my calls, and stay off the computer. Honestly unplugging every now and then brings me back refreshed.

 

Jun 10, 2012 01:18 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Suzanne - gardening IS weeding... no?

Doug - I like the concept of "refreshed".

Jun 10, 2012 04:04 AM