How's Your Work/Life Balance?

Balancing work demands with daily life responsibilities can be challenging for busy people, especially for real estate professionals who often work evenings and weekends. Being available and responsive to clients is a big part of real estate success, which can easily morph into round-the-clock working mode for motivated agents. That’s why it’s important for people with real estate careers to adopt consistent habits for maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Here are some tips:

Take regular digital breaks.

Put phones, computers, and tablets away during certain hours of the day so you’re not tempted to perform work-related tasks when you’re relaxing or spending time with family and friends. You’ll feel more refreshed and recharged if you disconnect for occasional periods.

Cultivate networks at home and at work.

You can’t do it all every day, no matter how hard you try. Everyone needs help once in a while, so have a safety net of friends who can help pick up the slack occasionally at home as well as colleagues you can call on when you need help at work. For example, set up a mutual arrangement with a friend or family member who can step in if a showing interferes with carpool pickup time, and do the same with a fellow agent who might be able to handle an open house that interferes with a personal commitment. You can repay the favors when they have a conflict or need extra help.

Meditate or designate quiet periods for reflection.

In today’s society, our senses are constantly being bombarded with sights, sounds, and messages. It’s important to take even a few minutes each day to clear your mind and enjoy the calm.

Get a hobby or take up a sport.

Participating in a regular activity that you enjoy will encourage you to take needed breaks as well as help you focus on something besides work. It can also help you meet new people and foster increased social interactions.  

Join groups.

Connecting with like-minded people can create social opportunities and be good for your spirit. Join a book club, a political campaign, a religious organization, or volunteer at a charity.

Eat well and exercise.

When your diet isn’t ideal and you aren’t moving enough, it’s harder to handle stress and daily demands. Making good food choices and making time for regular exercise can be good for your overall health and help you cope better.

Schedule regular social outings.

If you don’t block out time on your calendar, you’ll likely get busy and skip opportunities to build relationships. Make friendships and family ties a priority by scheduling them just like you would a business meeting.

Have an American Home Shield^® Home Warranty Plan for your own home.

Having this important protection can help reduce stress when covered items break down. With access to the American Home Shield network of qualified repair professionals, it can also save time when you need covered repair help, giving you more time to work or play.

Remember, nobody has a perfect work/life balance all the time. Certain periods require a tilted scale and one facet can get shorted for a while. When that happens, just strive to even things out and get yourself back on track as soon as possible.