While perfect balance isn’t always possible, you have the right to find a rhythm and way of working that’s healthy for you, write coaches Melanie Klein and Emily Bossert.
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Real estate professionals regularly face a variety of challenges, including:From long hours, client demands, unpredictable schedules, commission-based income, the complex balance of managing personal and professional relationships, to the multifaceted aspects of generating, maintaining and closing business deals, the nature of business means that work-life balance often feels out of reach and is desperately pursued, but most of the time, impossible to achieve.
Because for entrepreneurs, especially real estate entrepreneurs, the idea of work-life balance is largely a myth. We’re here to challenge the perpetuation of this myth because we feel it does more harm than good. Here’s how you can improve your work-life balance and strategies to make the guilt that comes with it a thing of the past.
Balance is key
Many of the agents we have worked with over the years When things are “out of balance”, there is a sense that they must be failing, that there is something “wrong” with the things themselves, rather than something being wrong with the idea of or achieving work-life balance.
Not only is “balance” or an “equal distribution” of anything rarely achievable for more than a short period of time, the idea of balance can also be stigmatizing, placing unrealistic expectations and pressure on individuals to meet certain standards that may not be appropriate for their situation.
The truth is, our lives and businesses change with seasons and cycles. Moreover, each individual, their family, and their business is unique and different. What works for one person or their business may not work for you. What works for you or your family may not work for someone else.
What to try instead
We find that entrepreneurs feel better served, inspired and supported when they start thinking about work and life as an ever-changing harmony, rather than trying to force themselves into a rigid, one-size-fits-all definition of “balance.” It’s helpful and supportive to regularly re-evaluate and adjust according to what we need, what we want, what we set as goals, and the needs and wants of our families.
For example, ask yourself: “What do I want to accomplish in the next year, both personally and professionally? Do these things line up with reality?”
This means that you may have less time for parts of your personal life if you’re thinking about starting a team, merging teams, going independent after being with a team, etc. In that case, saying you want to start a new relationship and a new business at the same time may not be realistic at this time.
What stage of life are you in?
This approach recognizes the inherent fluctuations and challenges that come with different stages of life and work, and enables you to prioritize, plan, and care for yourself accordingly – so you can experience more efficient, consistent, and sustainable success.
Your stage in life, your needs and aspirations, your stage in your business, your goals and aspirations are different from others. In fact, your stage in life and your stage in your business will continue to change. You cannot expect the same experience when you are growing your business, adding new team members, or operating in the spring market as you would when you are streamlining, exiting, or considering selling your business, or operating at the end of the fourth quarter.
So, it’s important to realize that what works for one person may not work for another, and what worked last year or last quarter may not work now. And that’s totally okay.
Key to success
Ultimately, what matters is finding a harmony that works for you personally and honors the natural flow of your life and work. Finding ways to manage your time, energy, and priorities to live a fulfilling life that encompasses both the professional and personal aspects of your life. This includes setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and asking for help when needed.
This might include recognizing when you need to prioritize work during busy or growth 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 the demands of your career or business and your personal desires.
We’ve found that a more flexible, adaptive approach to work-life balance can be extremely beneficial, and a lot of it starts with the understanding that “balance” isn’t always possible (and that “balance” isn’t actually the most supportive goal).
Melanie C. KleinMassachusetts and Emily Bossert He is a highly sought-after coach known for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential and succeed.
