Schedule the Break, Not Just the Work
Late night phone calls, early morning administration, back-to-back Saturday showings, and a to-do list as long as your arm…
In our line of work, it can feel like we’re always on – on show, on a call, on our game, on a schedule, and (hopefully) on track to achieving our targets.
This habit of being ‘on’ can make switching ‘off’ a challenge.
But everyone needs time out. Everyone needs a break to do only what they want, or nothing at all.
What story are you telling yourself?
This industry is prone to some narratives that tend to seep into our psyches. There’s ‘hustle’, ‘grind’, and a sense we must ‘outwork the competition’ in order to succeed.
But while these terms can be useful when it comes to galvanising ourselves into action, it’s important to be mindful of the tales we consistently tell ourselves.
Every moment of the day, we sell ourselves stories, and maybe yours go a little like this:
‘I have to do it.’
‘There’s never enough time.’
‘I’ll make up for it next week.’
‘I’ll rest up on my holiday break.’
Here’s the thing, those stories become the frames of reference we live by. When we constantly tell ourselves we don’t have enough time, we create that reality.
Instead, we should be looking to find, create and furnish ourselves with a narrative of balance.
And just as we know what we need to do to achieve results at work, each of us also knows exactly how to find and cultivate balance in our lives.
It’s about boundaries
If you’re looking to create balance in your work and make time for your personal life or take a break from the ‘busyness’, it starts with setting boundaries.
Define when you will be available to work, and under what circumstances, then:
Schedule the down time.
Change your voicemail.
Power down the phone.
Delegate what you need to.
Yes, it’s sometimes easier said than done. Trust me, I know. I’ve been described as ‘a mind that never sleeps’ and it’s definitely not a badge of honour to be proudly wearing.
Don’t just know it, take action
Whilst we often know that a break is required and we are aware of what needs to happen for that break to occur, the reality is we don’t action it as best as we can.
One busy week passes, then the next, and then the next and before we realise it, it’s almost the middle of another year!
In between there’s been no break, no balance, and we’ve continued sacrificing our personal time for work because that’s the narrative this industry perpetrates.
We feel we have to sacrifice our personal time. It’s the done thing.
It’s a way of avoiding guilt.
Control the narrative
Make no mistake, that narrative you are living by resides in your head. ‘Time out’ starts and ends in our minds.
It’s the story we sell ourselves. So flip the narrative. Instead of never having enough time, you have ample. It’s how you use it that counts.
Instead of feeling guilt over taking time out, tell yourself the story of how deserved that balance is, and how critical it is to operating at peak performance.
Craziness and busyness will always exist. Especially in our profession. But we must find the balance.
We control our own narrative; on a personal and professional level.
We can sell ourselves any story we like. ‘Time out’ is another of our stories. How it plays out will always be because of our choices.
About the Author
Manos Findikakis is the CEO of Agents’Agency, Australia’s first multi-brand real estate network, ‘the only fully integrated solution for you and your people to create an unforgettable experience.’
For all enquiries and more information on how the Agents’Agency can help you take your career to the next level, click here to get in touch.
