Stress-Busting Scheduling Secrets for Realtors

Before I got into real estate, I remember thinking about the endless possibilities—a flexible schedule, unlimited income—and more. I could finally take control of my schedule and life. I just started my family when I decided to get into real estate.

Like you, I went to real estate school, prepped for my exam and passed! I was handed a piece of paper that says, “Congratulations! You passed your sales associate exam.” I walked out of the door and soon realized that I did not have the slightest clue how to do this job. I joined a brokerage that trained me, and I started to get some business. Life was great—except, it wasn’t.

I was running around town, going on appointments, showing homes, writing offers, completing CMAs, putting signs in yards, taking signs out of yards, all while taking care of two toddlers.

What happened to all my time? What happened to all the money I was going to make? I didn’t know how to create a schedule or set boundaries around my time. I was struggling.

I would often wonder how other people can accomplish so many things each day. I knew that for me to get better, I had to focus on my calendar.

Here are all the things I have incorporated into my schedule to take back my life:

Before you begin, do this:

1. For one week, track everything you do all day, every day. Write it all down.
2. Have a clear vision of your goals for the year.
3. Break down your yearly goals with action steps for each quarter and each month.
4. Set aside two hours every Sunday or Monday morning to plan your week ahead, including days off. This will help with consistency and accountability.

Now it’s time to plan:

1. Pull out your calendar and schedule “me time” and “personal development time” first. This is time blocking.
2. Next, schedule the things that are recurring each week, and block that time off.
3. Add any specific appointments for that week.
4. On a separate sheet of paper, compile a list or pull out your to-do list.
5. 5. Organize your list in order of importance, and assign them a deadline.
6. 6. Once completed, pull out your calendar again and start plugging in when you’re going to complete each item on that list.

You may realize that not everything can fit in that week, and that’s OK. The goal is to give each item a deadline for when it needs to be done.

I also want to mention that not every part of your day will be filled in. You will need to build in blank spaces in your day and week because life happens, and unexpected activities come up. By now, you should have a pretty good plan for the week ahead of you.

This may feel like a lot of work to get organized. But it’s vital to help you take control of your schedule When you begin, give yourself some grace. You are building a new habit, and it will take time to get this right for you. Take it one day at a time. A little preparation and organization can alleviate a whole lot of stress. #

Melissa Cruz is a real estate coach with The Locker Room and an agent development specialist with Game Changer Realty in Jacksonville.