Finding balance between personal and professional life is crucial for anyone who owns a business, but for real estate agents/entrepreneurs it can be a little challenging since you are having to accommodate your clients schedule as well.
When I first moved to my town, I literally knew no one, so it was a challenge to juggle a 4-year-old, a 4-month-old and then pregnant with the 3rd. While we were building a house, we rented a home, and my husband traveled a lot for work, so it was all on me to make sure the home ran smoothly while also taking care of my mother-in-law. So, when I say I know how to plan out a quarter, a month, a week, and a day, believe me I mastered it and was quite successful with it both personally and professionally.
I created routines for my professional and personal lives. Did it always go as planned, NO, but by having a plan and being organized I easily could get back on track. Keep in mind this was before the Internet and cell phones.
Fast forward a few years to when the Internet and cell phones were a way of life, and it became so much easier to manage everything. As I started my business I had to get very creative since now I had 3 children, 1 in school and 2 toddlers running around while still being the primary caretaker of my MIL while my husband traveled and I might add we lived in the country, so I didn’t have neighbors to reach out to help out, so as summer approached I knew in order to continue being on this path to success I had to rethink how I could be there for my clients and my family.
So, with summer now here, kids getting out of school, you are probably meeting yourself coming and going. I thought now would be a good time to share some great strategies to help you accomplish your goals in both areas.
Personal Side:
- Have a heart-to-heart talk with yourself and determine what is important in both personal and professional areas.
- Write down your thoughts and concerns to get them out of your head before organizing and setting priorities.
- Write important dates on your planner and set reminders.
- Consider camps for your kids and allocate time for preparation and family bonding after their return.
- Schedule dentist, doctor, and eye appointments for your family in July when it’s typically slower.
- Plan and prepare for upcoming vacations, allowing time for adjustments upon your return.
- Discuss schedules with your spouse to coordinate childcare and support each other.
- Hire a neighborhood kid to play with your children while you work on organizing and planning.
- Create a dedicated office space where your children can be present and engaged in quiet activities while you work.
- Set aside specific activities that can only be done in that room to provide structure and quiet time when needed.
- Wake up a couple of hours before your children to have some personal time for planning and tasks.
- Work during their bedtime hours for tasks that don’t require immediate attention.
- Arrange playdates with friends to create focused work time while ensuring your children have company and fun.
- Determine how much you want to work during the summer and create a schedule that allows for a balanced approach.
- Share responsibilities with your spouse in terms of household tasks and childcare.
- Consider outsourcing tasks like house cleaning, lawn service, and grocery delivery to save time.
Business Side:
- Delegate tasks to your children or family members to teach responsibility and involve them in your work.
- Use time blocking or batching to create a schedule for making calls, creating content, and conducting research.
- Establish clear boundaries between personal and professional life, including response times and preferred methods of communication.
- Automate tasks as much as possible and use calendar reminders to stay organized.
- Learn to say no and prioritize your commitments to avoid overcommitting.
- Outsource tasks in your business to experts who can free up your time and help you accomplish more.
- Take your children with you on business errands and involve them in small tasks, fostering their self-confidence and helping them learn.
General Tips:
- Sit down every Sunday and map out your week, planning ahead whenever possible.
- Remember to relax and enjoy the summer while being protective of your personal and professional time.
- Seek support from your family and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.
Summer is a time of relaxation and for enjoying the family and taking a break. By following these strategies and finding a balance between personal and professional commitments, you can make the most of the summer season while achieving your goals in both areas.
