Time Management Techniques for the Over Extended

I’ve been reading a book titled “Succeeding in a Slash Life” by Marci Alboher.  I picked it up because it is what my career is turning into being a Realtor/Virtual Assistant/Wife.  The more I read the more evident that all Realtors really are “Slashes”.  The job of a real estate agent is so varied and requires many different skill sets to be successful.  No wonder so many agents quit after 1-2 years!  If more agents realized just how many hats they wear and learn some techniques for how to manage them, perhaps there would be more longevity in this profession.

Some of the “slashes” that fall under a real estate agent are:  real estate expert/negotiator/home stager/marketing expert/relationship building expert/market expert, etc…  It wasn’t until I got into the business that I realized exactly how hard agents work.  With all these different “slashes” it is easy for an agent to become overextended.  As Alboher states in her book, “There are a few things you can do to minimize the chanes of feeling you need to be in two places (at once).  Stay on top of your Schedule. Delegate when possible. Build relationships with colleagues who can cover for you in crunch times.”

Stay on top of your schedule- It is essential as a real estate agent to have a good system for keeping track of things.  A contact management system such as Top Producer or Act!  will help keep your contacts organized and help you remember when activities need to be perfromed for each of your clients.

Delegate when possible- If you do not have a licensed assistant to take on some of the time consumaing tasks such as scheduling, marketing, etc..  Hire a virtual assistant until you are ready to hire full time.  The time you save in doing these delegatable tasks, you can increase your business through networking and prospecting instead!

Build relationships with colleagues- This is a big one.  Many realtors I know try to do it all and get burned out quick.  Build a relationship with another agent in your office so you have an agreement to share a referral with them when you are unable to show a house and have them share leads with you (it’s a win-win).  Find someone willing to do some of the more technical or time consuming tasks for you (you will have to pay them of course).  For example, if you are not a “technical” person find someone in your office who has the knowledge to help you with your website, or hire a virtual assistant who has that knowledge.

Most people get into real estate because of the ability to have a “flexible” schedule and that no day will be exactly the same.  What usually happens is that a new agent needs to learn that “flexible” doesn’t mean “unstructured”.  I’ll explore that in a future blog…..

What is Leverage?

The Webster dictionary defines the verb “leverage” as follows:

1: to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage; also : to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
2: to use for gain : exploit <shamelessly leverage the system to their advantage — Alexander Wolff>

In today’s business environment, everyone is asked to do more with less (resources/time/people).  This leads to 50-60 hour work weeks, high burn out rate, job dis-satisfaction, etc.  The above definition gives the example of leveraging with money, but you can also leverage with people and systems. 

In future posts, I will explore in-depth how using leverage (people/systems/tools) will help grow your business.  I will offer real life solutions such as how to hire the right people, systems you can use to manage your time, tools you can use in the business to maximize your potential, etc!

So, stay tuned and get ready to watch your business grow!

Tracey Wallace
www.LeverageResource.com
twallace10@sc.rr.com