As a culture, we are busy. We have
technologies that allow us to stay connected to our business even when we are
supposed to be taking a vacation. We multi-task, and as a result of our
increased efficiencies, we are busier than ever and have trouble finding time
to “fit it all in.” One of the biggest barriers to finding enough time to fit
in the most important things in life are those people and things that steal
away what precious time you have available. In order to be productive we must
eliminate those time wasters and focus on things that help us move closer to
our goals. I call this process “Taming the Time Thieves”.
If you follow the following five suggestions,
you will find you have more control over your day—and you will get more
accomplished!
- The chatting
syndrome.
Conversations (“chit-chatting”) with co-workers, friends, family and
neighbors can happen anytime, anywhere, in person, by phone or even via
the Internet. These chats can be worthwhile—sharing ideas, catching up on
old times, talking about fun things you each have
in common—but the reality is that frequently these chats do nothing but steal huge chunks of time from your day. Keeping in touch with friends and family is, of course, a good thing, but yapping endlessly about not-so-important things is a real time thief, especially if it saps your time for either necessary or more desirable pursuits. Give yourself reasonable limits as to the amount of time you will spend chatting. If you are stuck with a rambler, politely say, “I've got to go”…and do it.
- The E-mail Black
Hole.
If every time you open your e-mail it is cluttered with many Fwd: blah, blah, blah e-mail
messages or other junk mail and you hate working your way through them,
get off the forwarding lists! Many times it is people who have less time
available than you (or who don't know how to handle their time) who will
forward virtually every e-mail they get to a long list of "e-mail
buddies”—and one way to control this is to either set up a non-business
email account to receive those emails at (johndoe@yahoo.com)—or ask to be
removed from those mailing lists all together. Seriously, are those jokes SO funny that
you have to read every one of them? Also, never get trapped “surfing” the
Internet. That can suck a couple of hours out of your day in a hurry! It’s ok and important to answer your
business email quickly, but save the others for evenings or weekends when
you can deal with the other personal things in your life.
- Clients from Hades. Sorry, but this
is real and every agent knows what I am talking about. Sure, we
love our clients, but you and I both know that some clients can suck every
waking moment out of you. You have to know who’s the boss. You are! (I
know, sometimes it feels like every new client is the boss!) Your buyer’s
agents have experienced the dread of showing a dozen homes to “Lookie Lou”
only to discover they couldn’t make a buying decision if their life
depended on it. Your accountant, doctor, dentist or insurance agent are not available every waking moment of
every day, why should you be? Pre-qualify
each buyer and make sure you have a buyer’s agreement. This first step will let them know you
are serious about your business.
Then set their expectations as to how you will work with them up
front and what you expect from them as you show homes.
- Dumpers. Ever heard these
words? "You handle it." It may be a spouse, a relative, a
co-worker, or a child, but YOU become the dumping ground. When you hear
"I don't want to do/don't know how to do it," and the
"dumper" is fully capable, you need to take control. Unless you
bounce back those things that truly can be handled by others, the dumping
will continue (or worse, if there is no objection from you, intensify).
They are not going to stop if you don't protest! Speaking of which, it
might be time for you to hire a good assistant to take over some of your
more menial tasks.
- Technology. Technology is a double-edged sword. There is no doubt that you need
it—as a Realtor it can do more to free up time in your day than just about
anything else—but you have to have a strategy for learning it and using
it. That’s one of the reasons why I emphasize learning one new thing each
day with your technology, then shut off your computer and go to work. Technology is not supposed to be all-consuming;
it’s just one of the many priorities that needs to be fitted into your
day.
By eliminating your time thieves and time wasters you will find more time every day to focus on the more important things in your life, like family, friends, faith, fitness, and of course your finances.
© Verl Workman, Pinnacle Quest Consulting
2010
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Posted by: Home Security | October 24, 2011 at 01:11 AM
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Posted by: RamonGustav | August 24, 2010 at 04:26 PM