Coaches Melanie Klein and Emily Bossert write that the perfect balance isn’t always possible, but you have the right to find a rhythm and work style that’s healthy for you.
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Real estate professionals often face different challenges, including:From long work hours, client demands, unpredictable schedules, commission-based income, and the multifaceted, complex balancing act of managing personal and professional relationships to generating, maintaining, and closing business transactions. Given the nature of business, work-life balance can often feel out of reach, be desperately pursued, and almost always impossible to achieve.
That’s because for entrepreneurs, especially real estate entrepreneurs, the idea of work-life balance is largely a myth. We are here to challenge the perpetuation of this myth because we have discovered that it does more harm than good. Here’s how to improve your work-life balance and strategies so you can leave the guilt associated with it in the rearview mirror.
Balance is key
For many of the agents we have worked with over the years, There is a sense that if things are not “balanced” then they must fail; that there must be something “wrong” with them rather than something wrong with the idea and implementation of work-life balance.
Not only is “balance” or an “equal distribution” of something impossible to achieve in a short period of time, but the idea of balance can also be shameful because it creates unrealistic expectations and Pressure on them to meet certain standards that are not appropriate for their situation.
The truth is, our lives and work are seasonal and cyclical. Additionally, each person, their family, and their business is unique. What works for one person and their business may not work for you. What works for you and your family may not work for someone else.
What to try
We’ve found that entrepreneurs are better served, inspired, and supported if they start to think of their work and life as a perpetual balance, rather than trying to limit themselves to a rigid, one-size-fits-all “balance.” Defining. Regular re-evaluation and adjustments based on our needs, wants and goals, as well as the needs and wants of our family, is helpful and supportive.
For example, ask yourself: What do you want to accomplish or achieve personally and professionally in the next year? Are these things actually consistent?
This means that if you want to form a team, merge a team, join a team and go solo, etc., you may spend less time working on certain aspects of your personal life. If that’s the case, it might not be realistic right now to say you want to start a new relationship and a new business at the same time.
What stage of life are you at?
This approach acknowledges the inherent fluctuations and challenges that come with different stages of life and work, allowing us to prioritize, plan and care for ourselves accordingly. This will result in a more efficient and consistent experience of sustainable success.
Your life stage, your needs and desires, as well as your career stage and your goals and desires will all be different from others. The reality is that your life and career stages will continue to change. You can’t expect to have the same experience when you’re growing your business, adding new team members, or working in the spring market as you are when you’re looking to streamline, exit, or sell your business, or working toward the end of the fourth quarter.
In short, it’s important to realize that what works for one person may not work for someone else, and what worked for you last year or last quarter may not work for you now – and that’s totally okay.
the key to success
Ultimately, the key is to find a harmony that works for you personally and respect the natural ebb and flow of your life and work. It’s about finding ways to manage your time, energy, and priorities so that you can live a fulfilling life that encompasses both professional and personal aspects. This may involve setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and asking for support when needed.
This may involve recognizing when you need to prioritize work during busy or growing periods and when you can focus more on your personal life. It’s about being self-aware and making conscious choices that align with your values, needs, and goals, while also taking into account your career or business needs and your personal desires.
We’ve found that taking a more flexible and adaptable approach to integrating work and life can be very beneficial. Much of this starts with the understanding that “balance” may not always be possible (and “balance” isn’t actually the most supportive goal).
Melanie C. Klein, M.A., and Emily Bossert are highly sought-after coaches known for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential and succeed.
