The real estate industry, while often filled with excitement and rewards, can also be demanding and stressful. The long hours, constant pressure to close deals, and tough negotiations can take a toll on even the most seasoned professionals. The result?  Burnout. That is pure physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Burnout is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on both your personal and professional life. It can lead to decreased productivity, poor job performance, and even health problems. Luckily there’s hope. Today we will delve into effective strategies real estate agents can use to overcome burnout and maintain a healthy level of motivation.

Know the signs

The first step in overcoming burnout is to recognize the signs. Of course you know you’re working super hard and putting in longer hours. However, you may be able to mentally justify it until you begin showing physical signs. 

These signs may include:

Physical exhaustion

You feel constantly tired, even after getting enough sleep. You’re dragging through your day.

Emotional detachment

You feel indifferent to your work. Put another way, you care just a bit less than you used to. Sure, you still want to help but your motivation has waned.

Decreased job satisfaction

You’re losing interest in your job and feeling unfulfilled. This is where many agents begin to question their future in real estate.

Difficulty concentrating

You’re having trouble focusing on tasks that you do daily. 

Feeling cranky

You’re more easily annoyed or frustrated and it feels like the littlest things are setting you off. 

You’re getting sick

Getting sick more often than usual. From a little sniffle to an all out cold, you’re feeling more susceptible to the germs around you. 

Does this sound familiar? If so, now is the time to act before the situation worsens.

Prioritize self-care

So, what prevents burnout? It sounds simple but it boils down to self-care. That’s right, self-care is essential for preventing and overcoming burnout. This means taking time for yourself to relax, recharge, and maintain your physical and mental health. This can be a huge challenge for many of us. Who has time to rest? Although it may not feel like you have the time, you have to make the time. If not, it will be made for you.

Not sure what self care looks like? Here are some examples:

Get moving

Improve your stress levels and mood with regular exercise. Hit the gym, go for a bike ride, or do some yoga or calisthenics.  Don’t have time for a full workout? Run in place or do a few squats in between calls.

Fuel your body

Eat junk, feel like junk. Instead, fuel yourself with healthy foods to give your body all the nutrients it needs. 

Get some Zzzz’s

Getting enough sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health. Aim for the right amount to make you feel refreshed.

Practice relaxation

Things like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. They help you feel calmer and well-rested.

Take breaks

It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Between tasks take a walk, do some stretches, or do something else to rest your mind and get ready for the next task.  

Set realistic expectations

Setting unrealistic expectations is a huge contributor to burnout. If you’re new to real estate, it may not be realistic to be closing multimillion-dollar deals. However, many new agents set lofty goals and then get stressed when they can’t deliver. That’s why it’s important to set achievable goals to help you manage your expectations.

Set SMART goals

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. Think of goals that fit into these criteria. For example, if you’re a new agent in a smaller market, set goals that fit in with your experience and skills, the market, and what’s realistic for you. Lofty goals make great long-range goals for you to achieve over the next several years. But what can You achieve right now?

Be flexible

Your goals and expectations should be flexible enough to accommodate any setback or challenge. Review your goals regularly to see if you are on track and if not, take steps to course correct.

Celebrate your wins

Don’t forget to celebrate your successes. We often get so busy that we forget to pat ourselves on the back. Take time to celebrate your successes no matter how small. 

Focus on stress management

Common stress management techniques can help you cope with the changing demands of the real estate industry. In many ways stress management is time management. How do you manage your time each day? Are you too busy with less important tasks to get done what you need to? Do you succumb to distractions easily? Are you frustrated that you don’t get through your to-do list each day? Effective time management can help you reduce stress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Prioritize

What are your top priorities for the day? Circle the one or two things you have to get done each day. These are your top priorities. Once you’ve achieved these, you can move down your list. 

Time block your day

Block out time for you to focus solely on critical tasks. You can choose to block time in your whole day or you could choose to block time for your most important tasks. Either way, time blocking allows you to focus on getting done what you need to. 

Build a strong support network

Having a strong support network can provide emotional support and encouragement during challenging times. Build strong  relationships with your colleagues to provide a sense of community and support. Often they’re in the same boat as you and can offer advice and commiseration. It also helps to join professional  organizations to connect with other professionals who can offer support and advice, even mentorship. 

Find your Why

Finding meaning and purpose in your work can help prevent burnout and increase job satisfaction. Your Why is your purpose for doing what you do. If you don’t have one yet, here’s how to find it.

Visualize the life you want to live

Take a few minutes to visualize what you want out of life.  What does your life look like? Use this image to help you figure out your Why.

Reflect on these questions

1. Why did you choose to become a real estate agent? Whether you’ve always loved real estate or you’re great at sales, why did you choose this path? Your answer can shed insight into your Why.
2. What is the ultimate goal of your business?
3. What does achieving your goals mean for you and your family? This is where the visualization comes in. What did you see? How did it make you feel? Write it down.
4. Why is this meaningful? This is the heart of the question and will be personal to you.

By answering these questions, you’ll figure out your Why. Use it to help you craft goals and stay motivated.

CircleCloser can help you overcome burnout

Burnout is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on both personal and professional life. However, by implementing our effective strategies, you can overcome burnout and maintain a healthy level of motivation. CircleCloser can make it more enjoyable to run your growing real estate business. If you’re not using CircleCloser yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to learn more.