Special offer

Spam prevention
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

You have to put your personal things on the calendar and consider them just as important an appointment as your client appointments. And when someone wants to schedule work at the same time, just tell them you are sorry, but you have an appointment already at that time, and how about 10am the next day? We have got to make sure we take care of our own needs while operating our business.

Jul 16, 2016 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It is a constant struggle. I break the year into quarters and plan road trips and am constantly discovering new elements to help in the quest

Jul 16, 2016 09:47 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Same way nature does...Everything goes in seasons or phases. Find the flow

Jul 16, 2016 10:56 AM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

We try to plan personal stuff - day trips, family time, vacations, and put it on the calendar just like business stuff. Not sure it is always as balanced as we would like. And sometimes we are just spontaneous and take off to enjoy some personal time away from the computer and work

Jul 16, 2016 10:30 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I well remember one of my first classes in which the instructor focused on the massive # of divorces and substance abuse issues of people in this wacky world of real estate.  It was an eye opener for many! 

I have been fortunate in that my entire adult life my priorities have been Faith, Family, Career.  My family will always take priority over my career and I know Faith and Fear can never occupy the same place! Life is good if we would simply get out of its way

Jul 17, 2016 12:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

How do you, let me know when you figure it out Maria Sapio . I could use the advice.

Jul 16, 2016 03:09 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Easy..Personal life comes in 2nd most of the time

Jul 16, 2016 01:02 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I am a work aholic, I like working all the time.

Jul 16, 2016 12:54 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I proactively planned for this over 30 years ago and brought my family into the business as much as possible.
It worked very well

Jul 16, 2016 12:31 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Take time to make time.

Jul 16, 2016 10:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

when work  work hard ; while one plays play hard.

Jul 16, 2016 10:13 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Maria I think it takes a little time for newer agents to figure out a smooth work - life balance.  I remember the days when I'd be 'on the ball' way too long and things got out of balance - especially when the market dropped in 08 and we had a big office and not much biz coming in. I had to make myself STOP pro-actively.  Now I schedule the 'big rocks' first (important things going on throughout the year) and then fill in from there.  I schedule out 'me' time and family and friends time as well.

Jul 16, 2016 09:49 AM
Rainer
56,940
Ari Taylor
Century 21 North Shore - Peabody, MA
Realtor with Century 21 North Shore!

I am looking forward to answers! I have tried scheduling my time, but then the work comes in and I haven't found a good way to turn it down.

Last week, I grabbed my laptop and took the kids to Maine, I still worked from the hotel and answered a few calls, but I'm not sure that counts!

Jul 16, 2016 08:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

That is hard, in our business we get to show properties when others are playing on weekend.  I take a 1/2 on Sunday and a day off in the middle of the week.

Jul 17, 2016 10:29 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I have chosen to be a Realtor and balance in my career depends on my economics.  We are in sales and able to control our hours and ability to earn money.  A factory worker is limited but in sales we have no limits.  We can sell higher priced homes, charge a higher commission or work endless hours.  Balance, at least for me, is purely economics.  There are times that physically there is a need to recharge.  But then it's back at full speed again. You love our profession or you drop out.

Jul 17, 2016 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes.  I have recurring appointments for personal activities (gym, nights with friends, etc.).  I have a rule that if business happens after 7pm, it better be a full price (or higher) offer or an emergency (or I took the afternoon off and have to play catch-up).

I work from home and am a single guy with no kids... so the temptation to work 24/7/365 is strong.

Jul 17, 2016 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

In my case it was by finding a very understanding wife.

Jul 17, 2016 04:26 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Proactive planning for a balanced life?  Not really.  But it usually just happens.

Jul 17, 2016 02:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Schedule activities and leave some "wiggle" room.  

Jul 17, 2016 02:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Maria Sapio By making appointment with yourself and family and stick to the schedule. Clients are willing to work around your schedule should you have other appointments.

Jul 16, 2016 11:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

One must be a great planner and multitasker in life in order to balance.

Jul 16, 2016 11:48 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I don't - I take it one day at a time since this business is one of change every day

Jul 16, 2016 11:20 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Set aside time for a personal life and then I have the remaining time for business!

Jul 16, 2016 11:11 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Kat Palmiotti nailed this one!

Jul 16, 2016 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Always schedule  personal things just like it is a million dollar listing

Jul 16, 2016 10:02 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Real Estate can only have 50 hrs per week

Jul 16, 2016 09:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly work plans is how I do it.

Jul 16, 2016 09:53 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't and never have and I've been working in the corporate world and real estate since 1971. For me this concept of "balance" is a bit like back in the early days of feminism women believing they could have it all. They could, but not simultaneously, I found. Same with work/life balance.

Jul 16, 2016 09:46 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Schedule personal time as you would appointments. When you select real estate as a career, you commit to time management challenges.

Jul 16, 2016 09:33 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Maria Sapio - great question - and simple answer!

Time block for family time. No business during that period.

Jul 16, 2016 04:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I used to struggle with such balance a lot when my kids were smaller and all my plans often had to be adjusted, now it is getting better. 

Jul 16, 2016 03:10 PM
Rainer
97,816
Carol Wilson
Your $imple Home - Toronto, ON

Hi, Maria Sapio , find things that truly nurture you, and make sure you fit them in.  In my case, digging dandelions was the first thing I discovered that really nurtured.  Who could have believed that?  Something about the sun, birds singing and smelling the air with nothing to do but dig for an hour...it was so great.  Years later, I now have a garden to tend and it's giving me a lot more pleasure than I expected.  Find what you love, Maria.  It will help you stay in good balance.

Jul 16, 2016 02:14 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I put appointments on my calendar for personal time that I give to my family. They are as important as any work appointment to me

Jul 16, 2016 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I am working on reserving time for me and consider it an appointment and do not budge off of it for a client. They don't have to know it is my time.

Jul 16, 2016 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Daily planning, weekly evaluations, and 90 day business plans. Last year we took 30 days off and this year 45 days. Working efficiently will give you the time you need and don't make excuses for not having a great life, not just a great career. You can have both.

Jul 16, 2016 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Each person does this in their own way. Today I had a great mix of business and pleasure. I'm listing mountain property and I took my boyfriend up there with me. We took the back roads all of the way to see some beautiful county. We used his four wheel drive vehicle instead of mine, and my seller's family loved meeting him. It was a great day in the mountains and a wonderful mix of business and pleasure. 

Although mainly I set aside personal time. Mark it on my calendar and that's my time. 

Jul 16, 2016 12:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I don't plan, just let it happen. It seems as soon as I plan personal time, it gets crazy busy so I just go with the flow and take time off when I can. Works for me...

 

Jul 16, 2016 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Maria,

The logic is if you don't have a personal life, eventually your work will suffer as well as your near and dear.  

Jul 16, 2016 10:34 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Set your boundaries. Learn to say no ... not now however I am available tomorrow at noon and 4pm - which works best for you?  If you do not instill self discipline you will soon become unhappy.  Take the time for you. Make the time for you.  No does not mean I have plans with my family or I have a date or I'm getting a massage at that time. It means, I have an appointment or other commitment ... even if it is a scheduled massage ... no one ... NO ONE needs to know that. 

Jul 16, 2016 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,642
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

You schedule your personal time just like a business appointment and stick to it!

Jul 16, 2016 10:18 AM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I appreciate the valuable perspective, thoughts and opinions shared by all...
 

Jul 16, 2016 11:12 AM