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Imagine seamlessly juggling listings, client meetings, showings and market research without breaking a sweat. Sounds nice, right?
To be successful in the fast-paced world of real estate, being productive isn't an option—it's a requirement. Every minute counts, and every interaction could be your next big deal.
So, are you prioritizing the most effective productivity hacks to boost your real estate game? Which ones?
Here are our top five!
1. Master Your Morning Routine
First things first: kickstart your day with intention. Many successful people swear by a morning routine that sets the tone for the day and how productive it’s going to be.
Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group, wakes up early, works out with her trainer in the morning three days a week before heading to work, and organizes her tasks by importance.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, wakes up before 4 a.m. to read emails and then heads to the gym, while Jack Dorsey, co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, meditates and then runs six miles.
That’s them. What about you?
Morning routines are not cookie-cutter. Let’s be real… not everyone can wake up before the sun or run six miles. We all have responsibilities and preferences unique to us.
The best routine is the one that works for you and your lifestyle.
Think about your situation and what you need to do in the morning to feel ready for the day ahead. It should boost your energy levels, improve your focus, and ultimately make those morning showings a breeze.
And if you can prep for your day the night before, even better! Something as simple as laying out your clothes for the next day can help prevent a stressful morning.
Some Morning Rituals for a Good Day
- Do a quick workout
- Make your to-do list or write down a goal you want to reach that day
- Sit down and eat a healthy breakfast
- Take a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air
- Read a chapter of a book
- Listen to music or a podcast
- Have a brief meditation session… or, if you’re like many people who find meditation difficult…
- Simply take a quiet moment with your thoughts and a cup of coffee
Whether your routine consists of just a single task or a series of them, starting your day with a clear mind can make all the difference.
2. Harness the Power of Technology
Guess what? You live in a world where your everyday tasks can complete themselves. Automation apps can streamline many processes, freeing up your valuable time for what truly matters: building relationships and closing deals.
But how do you harness this power effectively?
Start by identifying repetitive tasks. These are the time thieves in your day.
Common Time Thieves
- Scheduling appointments
- Sending follow-up emails
- Updating property listings
Next, you’ll need to choose the right app. Remember that not all apps are created equal. You may need one app for scheduling, one app for task management, and one app for integrating all your apps into one workflow.
A few suggestions…
- For scheduling, try Calendly, ShowingTime, or Trafft
- For task management, try Trello, Asana, or Todoist
- For integrations, try Zapier, Make, or IFTTT
Last step! Set up automation rules to trigger actions based on events and test and refine them as needed.
And you don’t have to stop at routine tasks! You can also automate your promotion with the help of a marketing company that specializes in real estate.
For example, RSP USA offers Target Farming Report Campaigns that automatically send valuable real estate reports to your targeted prospects and postcards that are professionally designed every time you get a listing or make a sale.
Plus, the campaigns and postcards generate hot leads that you can automatically follow-up with by signing up for Fast Track Follow-Up.
More than ever before, technology is a part of all our lives.
Use it to your advantage.
Embrace platforms and apps that align with your unique workflow, and watch your productivity soar!
3. Prioritize Your Tasks with the 80/20 Rule
Ever heard of the Pareto Principle? It suggests that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes.
“In the context of a real estate business, this means that roughly 80% of your results are likely to come from 20% of your efforts,” says Coach Ken, aka Ken Goodfellow, CEO/President of Coach Ken International.
Apply this principle to your daily tasks by identifying that 20% effort. Focus on the activities that yield the highest returns. These would probably be generating leads, building relationships and closing deals.
Prioritize those tasks that directly impact your bottom line and are likely to contribute the most to your success.
And let go of the rest by eliminating or delegating those less productive tasks to staff, freelancers or an app that can automate them for you.
This strategy not only maximizes efficiency but also reduces stress.
Applying the 80/20 rule doesn’t only streamline your effort, it also maximizes your goal setting. If you haven’t already, be sure to set SMART goals that will provide you with a clear direction. This will make it easier to identify the specific tasks that drive the most significant impact toward reaching your goals.
What is a SMART goal?
- Specific: A clear, specific goal is easier to achieve, because you know how and where to get started.
- Measurable: A goal that can be tracked and measured allows you to see your progress and know when the goal has been reached.
- Achievable: A goal that is realistic and achievable ensures that the steps you need to take to reach it are in your control.
- Relevant: A goal that aligns with your broader business strategy will have a real impact.
- Time-bound: A deadline helps you clarify task prioritization and increase your motivation.
Instead of vague ambitions, like "sell more homes," aim for concrete targets, like "close five deals this quarter." This approach helps you clarify your objectives, track progress and celebrate achievements, keeping you motivated and, hopefully, stress-free!
4. Schedule “Digital Detox” Breaks
Speaking of stress… In a world where we're constantly connected, it's easy to fall into the trap of endless screen time. Of course, you need your phones, your apps and the internet to do your job.
They definitely make doing your job easier. They also make it easier for your work and life to blend together too much.
A good work-life balance is important, not only for your own well-being, but also for your professional success.
Real estate is driven by relationships. So, you need to build and maintain a wide network of contacts. Work-life balance gives you the time you need to nurture personal and professional connections. This is crucial for getting leads, referrals and repeat business.
One way to achieve an ideal balance is by scheduling regular "digital detox" breaks to step away from your gadgets and refresh your mind.
This doesn’t need to be a radical act that you have to commit to forever. You just need to commit to doing something – even something small – on a consistent basis.
Small Steps You Can Try
- Go completely offline for a limited time
- Turn off unnecessary notifications
- Set up app limits to control the time you spend on them
- Restrict your online usage to only the necessities
- Remove your phone from your bedroom
- Put away your devices during mealtimes
Remember that it can be difficult to stick to any new routine, like a digital detox.
If—or, let’s be real, when—you find yourself reaching for one of your devices during your detox time, don’t be discouraged. Just make the conscious choice to do something else. Whether it's going on a short walk, chatting with a colleague, or simply taking a moment to breathe, stay in the present moment.
By taking these small steps, you’ll be able to keep up a healthy work-life balance, enhance your creativity, and improve your mental clarity — ultimately benefiting both you and your clients.
5. Leverage Networking as a Productivity Tool
Networking isn't just about exchanging business cards; it's a powerful productivity tool. By building a strong network, you create a support system that can lead to referrals, collaborations, and valuable insights.
So, how do you build and maintain a truly beneficial network of contacts? Networking encompasses many types of activities, from social events to industry events and everything in between.
Some networking opportunities will put you in front of potential buyers and sellers, while others will allow you to meet excellent referral sources.
Networking Opportunities
- Real estate conferences
- Professional groups and associations
- Social clubs
- Fitness groups
- Home & garden expos
- Wedding expos
- Community events
- Industry events
- Social media groups
- Online forums
As you foster these productive relationships, be sure to show your value to everyone you meet and seek out opportunities to help. With enough conversations (and consistent follow-up!), you’ll see your career flourish.
Ready to Transform the Way You Work?
In the dynamic world of real estate, staying ahead requires you to enhance your efficiency. Do that, and you can cultivate long-lasting career success.
Start incorporating these strategies today, and watch as your productivity and your results soar to new heights. Remember, the key to getting more done isn't working harder; it's working smarter.
So, take the leap, embrace these productivity hacks, and transform the way you work.
Your future self will thank you!
We’re writing more blog posts than ever to help agents like you achieve lasting success with both digital and print marketing. Check them out here — and be sure to bookmark the page to see what’s coming next!