When Realtor Erin Brumleve is worn out with real estate, she turns whatever is bugging her into a ditty and sings it to her team.
“Yesterday’s song went like, ‘Sometimes clients really love it when a real estate agent apologizes … even if it’s not their fault,'” she commented in Inman Coast to Coast.
“It makes me and my team laugh, and then we are able to move on,” said the Denver, Colorado-based agent.
The real estate grind brings on feelings of exasperation and despair for countless agents, sometimes leading them to question whether they’ve chosen the right line of work.
That may be especially true today, with hypercompetitive market conditions and increasingly independent-minded clients testing the limits of industry professionals.
But recent Facebook conversations show agents have come up with many creative ways to bounce back from the real estate blues. Here are 11 techniques for rekindling your passion.
1. Remember, this is normal
Keep in mind that it’s pretty normal for real estate agents to have god-awful days.
“I think a lot of people are having them lately,” commented Fort Worth, Texas-based Realtor Amanda Evans on a Facebook post by one of her peers. “The real estate market is a total crazy train.”
Many agents describe being brought to the verge of tears by disgruntled clients or transaction snafus.
“Wait…are you saying there are days where you DON’T feel that way?” commented Michael McClure on the same post.
2. Remember what you like about the job
Remember that the challenge of pleasing clients, solving problems and conquering other obstacles is part of what makes the business great, real estate vets say.
Try thinking about what it would be like to have a more conventional job.
“I browse job listings and imagine reporting to a cubicle every day, battling traffic, dealing with corporate policies and mindless office chatter and politics,” commented Charlotte, North Carolina Realtor Kate McGee. “That turns it back around pretty quickly.”
Rosemary Buerger, a Cameron, North Carolina-based agent, likes to think about the flexibility she has “to be a hands on grandmother once a month.”
“So many reasons to stay always overcome the small reasons to leave,” she said.
3. Recall clients you’ve delighted
Jog your memory for moments of joy that you’ve given to past clients and channel the satisfaction you felt, some agents suggest.
“Remember your last client who cried because they were so happy,” wrote Tommy Clapp, a Christiansburg, Virginia-based Realtor. “We all have these days.”
4. And consider calling one of them
“Call a client that you helped several years ago and tell them you really had a bad day at work and it made you really appreciate your experience with them,” said Ted Kelly, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based agent.
5. Do something good for someone
That could mean mentoring a young colleague, volunteering at a nonprofit or performing a simple act of kindness.
Teddy Spittal, Woodbridge, Virginia-based agent, posted three creative ideas:
“Go through drive thrus and pay for the person behind you (write a note on that back of your business card telling the person to have a great day and ask the drive thru person to give it along with the meal).
“Get some cookies and take them to a homeless shelter.
“Go buy $100 worth of $5 [McDonald’s] gift cards and hand them out at an old folks home or the hospital.”
When Gloria Commiso is feeling blue, she helps out new agents “that aren’t burned out yet.”
“Their excitement gives me a renewed energy and helps me remember what it was like when I started,” said the Redondo Beach, California-based agent.
When the market imploded in 2007, Commiso discovered “how important it was to be able to truly be of service to people,” she said.
“When you think about others you have less time to feel sorry for yourself and less time to think about quitting,” she added.
6. Treat yo’self
Whether it’s kicking back with a glass of wine, taking a few days off, gorging on ice cream or visiting the beach, indulging in your favorite activities is a time-honored way for agents — and everyone else — to recharge their batteries.
7. Look at photos of kittens or baby elephants
Here you are:
cat
Photo courtesy: Mara 1/Flickr
8. Remember tomorrow is a new day
Trite, yes. But the fact is everyone has ups and downs, and you should remember that it’s possible you’ll feel at least somewhat better in the morning.
“Go to bed, get a good night’s rest,” said Laura Sampson, a Brooklyn, New York, broker-owner. “Tomorrow is another day. The sun will come out tomorrow, I promise.”
9. Turn your frustration into a song
We thought it was worth calling out Brumleve’s out-of-the-box technique again.
10. Counter feelings of defeat with all your victories
Put your challenging days into perspective by remembering all the times you’ve succeeded.
“It’s good to have these spells because it makes the good days oh so much better,” Beaufort, South Carolina-based agent Scott Bingham. “There are no easy days.”
Adds real estate coach Jeff Richmond: “Breakdowns happen right before breakthroughs. Hang in there!”
11. Change up your routine
Noting that being in sales can often be an “emotional rollercoaster,” New York City broker-owner Philip Lang suggests making simple tweaks to your morning routine, starting your day off on new footing
“Creating new habits, like getting in an hour earlier every day or waking up to go to the gym before work can create a sense of accomplishment and energize your business,” Lang said.
