Real estate agents and brokers are self-employed independent contractors in most cases. Effective use of your time is critical to financial success. Learn the top time-wasting activities and how to avoid them.
1. Starting the Day Without a Plan
A plan in this case is much more than just "What do I do today?" This is your business, and it's incumbent upon you to have a detailed plan for the activities necessary for success.Long and mid-range plans should be in place and then you extract from these the daily activities you'll need to do in order to reach the planned goals.
2. Procrastination - Particularly with the Less-than-Fun Tasks
If your day's tasks require an activity that you aren't fond of, do it first thing. Getting past it will give you a lift and make the rest of the day a pleasure. It's also best to do those hated things when you're fresh.3. Not Using Effective Contact and Task Management Systems
If you're working with yellow sticky-notes all over the place, you're probably not getting value for your time input. If you're not into technology, at least have a good day planner system and use it religiously.Better yet, get into the new world and work with a computerized contact, project and task management system. There are many out there, but most of you use MS Outlook, and it can be a very effective task management system.
4. Allowing Non-critical Interruptions of Your Planned Activities
With many real estate agents working in offices with cubicle dividers and a lot of activity close-by, it's easy to get distracted. Just executing the plan without discipline isn't going to be successful. If your fellow agents like to stop by for chats, they're passing on their inefficiencies to you.Be polite but firm. Even if you must put up a sign, make sure that other people in the office are aware of your dedication to your plan and the times that you're working it. Let them know that you aren't available for chats during your planned activity times.
