Let’s face it, “Time Blocking” sounds clunky and outdated. Don’t you want to be agile – quick thinking and quick acting in your real estate career? Who wants to be put on hold when they have a real estate question, concern or immediate need for a real estate agent? This year let’s ditch Time Blocking and start practicing “Time Agility” to move forward in our real estate careers.
Some Real Estate Agents swear by Time Blocking. They set up their calendars in nice, neat, color-coded blocks and specify their time to do certain tasks. From 9am -10am let’s color the block green. Green is always prospecting time. Get it? Money = green. Then, they set up a yellow block of oh, let’s say, 1pm – 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This Yellow time is when they meet with sellers. Well, why not? We deserve to be professionals, right? Doesn’t your doctor set up certain times? Why are real estate agents always compelled to be available? Time blocking sets you apart from others, it shows your time is valuable. Right?
Let’s rethink that whole “professionals” concept that we like to associate with certain time scheduling. With Time Agility, you are in charge of your schedule. You can move those blocks around and be responsive to your clients and prospects.
Time Blocking typically consists of hanging a sign on your door “Do Not Disturb” or turning off phone, media, etc. to do “one thing” like cold call strangers. Okay, so you are shut off from the world for 2 hours to pound the phones, dial, email, etc.
Time Agility, on the other hand, allows you to keep your office door open, your phone “on” and your social media notifications “on.” What? How will you ever get anything done? Let’s face this dilemma head on. Keeping yourself “on” and “connected” in your career is key. Do you really want to miss that text message that says, “Hey, can we see 432 Sycamore Lane tomorrow, getting serious about moving” or the Facebook notification “Thanks so much for the birthday card, let’s get together for lunch.” And by “miss” I mean if you are not “there” for the calls, texts and emails that arrive during your “Do Not Disturb” time you may chase these people for another couple of weeks trying to catch up. Meet people where they are, when they are there.
When I was helping my mother sell her house in a state where I was not licensed, I had to contact a local real estate agent to list the house. I was only in town for a day or two and cautiously said, “I know this is last minute but any chance you are available today or tomorrow to visit the house?” Much to my surprise, as I figured she would have her whole week time blocked she said, “Yes, of course, I will be there at 11am.” Wow. I was so impressed with her responsiveness. And, as it turned out, she was a gem of an agent who sold the house in 2 days. Lucky. I was just plain lucky. If I had contacted a “time blocker” I would have been subjected to, “I only see sellers from 1pm – 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Time Agility gives you the freedom to truly set your own schedule. With the open door concept of Time Agility, you are available to help customers and clients when they need assistance.
If you are looking for new ways to advance your real estate career this year, consider my one-on-one coaching programs that are personalized to your individual needs. There is no long-term commitment - hop in and out of coaching as you need it.