Monya Mu’min is the managing broker with Mason Turner Realty in Gwinnett County
Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Monya Mu’min, the managing broker with Mason Turner Realty, on how agents can establish a sound work-life balance.
Working with clients, closings, listing appointments, sales meetings, prospecting, planning, parenting, exercising, relaxing, caregiving, etc., etc., etc.. With all of the things we do in our lives in the span of 24 hours, how is balance possible? Answer – Location, Location, Location!
The key to establishing a sound work-life balance is understanding where you are focused. Let’s start by bringing balance in the separation of our work and the rest of our lives.
3. Define Your Business Hours – As real estate professionals, it is hard for us to imagine having set business hours. In our minds, business is so dependent on being available 24/7.
Change your mindset. While having regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. may not be very practical, there are ebbs and flows to your business that will allow you to plan a 40-hour work week that includes a day for administrative tasks. Schedule appointments during your work hours. If you have to have an appointment during off-hours, limit the number of times this happens and schedule equal off time during your work hours. Most importantly, plan two days a week off!
2. Separate Work and Life Space – Your mind needs to have a line of demarcation between work and not work. It is easier for those who go to an outside office, but more difficult if you work from home. It is also easier if you have a separate room in your home for an office, but more difficult if you are using the dining room table for a desk! However, it is possible to separate the spaces so you can be focused on the most important thing at the time.
1. Commit – Work when you are working, and do not work when you are off! When spending time away from work, resist the urge to allow the smartphone to “crack the whip” and set you off into immediate work direction. Even if it is necessary, those times can be planned or dealt with individually, but it should not be the standard. Vice versa, that same smartphone has someone on the other end who is asking you to not work during work time – you are the one who chooses.
Monya Mu’min is a Managing Broker with Mason Turner Realty, LLC which serves the Metro Atlanta Area real estate market. She brings 20 years of experience in the industry and has served as a sales agent, productivity coordinator, trainer, recruiter, coach and broker.