As a real estate agent, you never know what the day will bring, which is one of the reasons I love this career. However, there are certain things that are in your control and that allow you to set your day up for success.
If you start the day right, you are prepared and can fully devote your brainpower to the day’s events and challenges. I am a morning person who is routine-oriented, so I love to get up early around 5 a.m. to start my day off while it is still quiet.
Below is a list of the controllable items that I implement before leaving my house for the day:
1. Confirm appointments
I heavily rely on my calendar on my iPhone and iPad so that my calendar is always accessible, and I can easily make any changes. Using my calendar, I confirm all my appointments for the day, which gives me a chance to schedule any other meetings or catch-ups needed.
As our business relies upon relationships, I find it helpful to schedule coffee or drinks with others to expand my network and to be a resource.
2. Write a to-do list
I use the notes app on iCloud (so it is accessible on my iPhone and iPad), and I make a daily to-do list.
I then look at my schedule app (which I put longer-term projects in) to see what needs to be done that day and go from there.
3. Read the newspaper
Be up to date on the news. You don’t need to know every detail, but I like to be up to date on the day’s “top stories” — including local, national and international news — as well as read the business and real estate section to know what is happening in the markets.
Watching or listening to the news is just as helpful, it just depends on your preference. This enables me to be informed so I can best advise my clients within the current environment.
For example, if the Fed just had a meeting and decided to hold the benchmark rate steady, this news will usually affect mortgage rates, which can then influence a buyer’s motivation to secure a commitment letter and make an offer on a property.
4. Check the weather
As our job entails showing properties, we need to be properly dressed and armed for whatever weather is in store for the day. Therefore, every morning I check my weather app so I can be prepared.
However, I usually carry an umbrella during the summer months and a wool hat during the winter months just in case! That way, I can be comfortable and fully devote my attention to my clients.
5. Pick out clothes
I tend to dress in a monochromatic style and add accessories to mix up my look. “Decision fatigue” — being mentally worn out by making menial choices — is a real phenomenon.
Some famous figures have chosen to wear similar clothes each day to reduce the decisions they have to make in the morning, enabling them to get on with the real work. According to CNN, that’s why you always see Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg in a zippered hoodie, Steve Jobs in a black turtleneck, and former President Obama in a strikingly similar suit.
This makes choosing your clothes much easier and faster, giving you more time to work with clients.
6. Exercise
Not only will this ensure that you will get your workout in, it gives you many benefits that will make you more productive throughout the day including giving you more energy and putting you in a better mood.
Pick exercises that you like so you will stick to them. For me, I run 5 miles a day (taking Sundays off) and take Pilates classes when my schedule permits. During my run, I am able to relax which leads my mind to be efficient and focused throughout the day.
7. Eat a nutritious breakfast
Giving your body the “fuel” to start your day off so you can be at your best. “For years, nutrition experts have said that a healthy breakfast is a key start to the day. Not only do we think and perform better on the job, they tell us, but it also supports our well-being in many other ways,” says WebMD.
By having a consistent morning routine, you can ensure you start your day at your personal best! This includes being organized and beginning the day in a relaxed manner.
You have your time to plan your day and fuel your body and mind to make every minute count. Everyone has different ways of organizing themselves, so find what works best for you, and stick to it.
Marilyn Blume is a licensed real estate salesperson with Warburg Realty in New York. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
