Special offer

What is 'Highest and Best' for You?

By
Real Estate Agent

I'm in the process of studying and completing some continuing education hours, required by Florida for me to renew my broker's license.  I woke up this morning with some thoughts in mind and the phrase 'highest and best' in my mind. 

As a real estate agent,  I make it my business to know when new properties enter the market for sale. Especially vacant land. I have some developers that are currently seaching for projects. So if some vacant land becomes available, I make it my job to find out everything I can about that land. I may go to the zoning department and find out what the land is zoned for, what is not only possible but what they feel is a good use for that land. I can then present this research to my clients. This process is called finding the 'highest and best' use for the vacant land. 

My thoughts concerning that phrase today really has nothing to do with vacant land, developers, or even real estate, but rather more about life and how I spend the days of my life.  Business has been steadily increasing, and I find our days increasingly filled with long lists of  "to-do's" or what I would rather call "ta-da's". But if you've been in business for very long, you have already discovered the tremendous difference between being busy, and being productive.   

Maybe a better way to go about my day and put first things first, is to look at my agenda with the phrase 'highest and best' in my mind. What am I going to do today that is going to be the highest and best use of my time and energy? Then maybe I should organize my list in that fashion. Being a real estate agent, it's very easy to get caught up in mindless and unproductive activity. 

Has your office become more of a social club instead of a work environment? Are there too many luncheons, social gatherings, or classes on your schedule? Do you set specific hours of the day to call past clients, send cards, or blog? Or has your daily life become one of going, going, going...and never accomplishing much? Do you find yourself exhausted day after day, but your business has not increased? 

 

As I am thinking about writing this blog, I started thinking of more ways I can use 'highest and best' to make my life better and have more meaning. What about applying this to other areas of my life? Spending time with loved ones, for example. It's not about the quantity of time that you spend with your family, but the quality of time.  Are the 3-4 hours of your evening filled with 'highest and best' memories, or do you spend them scattered about doing different things, or watching mindless hours of television? 

 

I'm making it a priority to make some changes in my own schedule, business, and personal life.  I've spent some time re-evaluating my days and waking hours and noting several changes that need to be made. I'm going to look over the past few weeks, and the upcoming weeks, and decide what is the 'highest and best' use of my time and energy. I'm going to decide what activities are going to help me earn the most money for my efforts, and what will feed my soul and help others. And I'm not going to be afraid to make some serious changes.  I am challenging myself to make my life better.

 

Take the challenge with me! 


Posted by

Comments (4)

JoAnn Young
Young & Young Properties - Melbourne, FL
Florida Real Estate

Love our "Ta-Da' lists don't we?  Good article Kim!

Jul 17, 2012 10:04 AM
Kimberly Luna
Panama City Beach, FL

thanks JoAnn!

Jul 17, 2012 12:47 PM
Anonymous
Lindy Bryan

What a great article! You have motivated me to get going this morning!

Jul 22, 2012 10:56 PM
#3
Kimberly Luna
Panama City Beach, FL

Thanks Lindy...change isn't easy. I'm struggling, and patting myself on the back for even small steps forward. :)

Jul 23, 2012 01:24 AM