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Make Hay While The Sun Shines 🌞 Doesn't Mean Burn The Midnight Oil

By
Real Estate Agent with Big Block Team @ LPT Realty 858.232.8722 CA BRE# 01261476

Don't be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life...


Make Hay While The Sun Shines" is an adage deeply rooted in wisdom, passed down through generations. My grandfather often reminded me of its importance: when opportunity presents itself, readiness is key. You can't scramble to prepare when the door opens; you must already be poised to seize the moment.

However, there's a common misconception that seizing opportunities requires constant availability, akin to being an ever-ready firefighter. But here's the truth: you can honor your business hours like a family doctor, maintain your days off, and cherish your life beyond real estate, all while capitalizing on opportunities.

The real test of your business lies in its ability to function smoothly and consistently, regardless of how bustling it becomes or wheether you're there or not. With well-established systems in place, you can ensure that daily operations remain steadfast for you, your team, and your clients. If your business suffers without you, or worse, comes to a halt, then you only own a job, you do not own a business.

Remember, success isn't about burning the midnight oil incessantly—it's about cultivating efficiency and balance within your business and personal life. So, embrace the opportunities that come your way, but also embrace the discipline of nurturing a sustainable and fulfilling career.

I learned this during the 2020-2021 Global Pandemic, the opportunities we experienced in real estate were once in a lifetime and I definitely made hay, but I never let my family eat dinner alone. Make hay while the sun shines, but that includes living your life outside of work. Don't be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life!

 

Cover: Photo by Vlad Chețan: https://www.pexels.com
Photo by ALINA MATVEYCHEVA : https://www.pexels.com
Photo by Oleksandr P: https://www.pexels.com

Posted by


Thomas J. Nelson
REALTOR®, CRS, RCS-D, CDPE, e-Pro, Certified Military Home Specialist, Luxury Home Specialist, Author, Keynote Speaker and  Podcast Host 

Serving Coastal San Diego from Carlsbad to Coronado, Downtown, Balboa Park Area,
La Jolla/UCSD & Mission Bay Park Areas
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& Active Duty

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Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, medical advice or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice, health or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

Comments(13)

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Real Estate Broker

We only pass this way once, and to work so hard that one neglect the reason for the efforts is criminal. Even those anxious clients know when to hold back and attend to life.

May 02, 2024 02:51 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
Educating. Encouraging. Serving.

Good evening Thomas,

Work life balance is so important! Your advice to not be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life, is spot on!

May 02, 2024 04:39 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

You are assuredly right about that.

May 02, 2024 05:37 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Thanks for the inspiration Alan! 😉

May 02, 2024 06:34 PM
Alan May

I love the way that one post, inspires another, and often another.  It's like a bloody Loreal commercial!!

May 03, 2024 04:04 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Thomas- love your thoughts. It all becomes a balance, doesn't it?!  We all have to learn to choose our priorities and learn to respect those of others. Working on weekends as well as evening hours may be difficult for agents with a family. And yet, we need to make a living. It's the wise agent who learns how to balance all of this. 

May 02, 2024 06:31 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Kathy Streib I know we all have to hustle 24/7 when we first start out, I know I did. But, eventually we want the life this career is supposed to provide and we need to protect it. We're fine dining not Door Dash.

May 03, 2024 07:25 AM
Lise Howe
RLAH RE LLC - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I loved reading your post and Alan May's within five minutes of one another.  I don't like missing family dinner either.

May 02, 2024 07:02 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Alan's was my inspiration to retort in a postive post.

May 02, 2024 08:08 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Thomas - the power of perspective.  In evidence.  Once again.  

May 03, 2024 03:10 AM
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
Retired from real estate; active in life!

I totally agree. We need to be there for family and loved ones. And working 24x7 is not necessary.

May 03, 2024 04:47 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

No argument from me, Thomas. I've long established habits in my business that do not have me available 24/7/365 to clients. I set expectations with prospective clients as to how and when I work upfront and I've yet to lose a client because I place boundaries between my personal and professional lives.

May 03, 2024 04:56 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Nina Hollander, Broker see that is the key. Tell them Day 1 how you work and WHEN you work, very smart and way less if any pushback later.

May 03, 2024 07:23 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I would always drop whatever I was doing for clients, but eventually I learned that I didn't have to and things would still work out just fine, haha.

May 03, 2024 05:13 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Yep, Brian England me too!  The day I decided to commit to my Sundays off, was the Sunday in 2008 when I left a family BBQ and I drove 30 minutes to Chula Vista to show a house my client "had to see right away" and when I pulled up to meet them in front, they said "hey, let's not bother, we don't like this neighborhood."

1. They were fired (as this was not a first offense) not me overreacting.

2. I never caved in on a day off ever again!

May 03, 2024 07:22 AM
Ailina Nelson
Vision Drive Realty - La Jolla, CA
Learn To Dance In The Rain

Great advice, Thomas! It's great to work hard, but remember not to miss out on living your life, and spending time with loved ones. These are the memories we cherish.  I have often heard that no person on their deathbed ever says that they wished they spent more time at work. 

May 03, 2024 02:53 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

❤️

May 04, 2024 04:53 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets  It is not necessary in today's digital world to miss a family dinner that is unless there are 4 offers coming in. Glad Carol Williams  featured this as I missed it 

May 04, 2024 11:04 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Prioritizing one's life is important. This is often called the work life balance. As I arise early, my day usually ends about 4pm unless I have pre-determined appointments.

May 05, 2024 05:48 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

I love hearing that you have great boundaries Leanne Smith - I'm the sme, I rise early and shout down by 6PM unless I have the odd later appointment - but it's not very common.

May 05, 2024 07:47 AM
Leanne Smith

And we still must be flexible, adaptable because our clients have their own schedules which usually mean weekends or after work.

May 05, 2024 07:56 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is very good advice to share.

Have a great day and a productive week.

May 06, 2024 07:28 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Thank you Roy! I was showing Ailina some of your beutiful floral photgraphs yesterday, we're both so impressed with your photography skills!

May 06, 2024 08:18 AM