Business Tips for REALTORS®: Being Busy VS Being Productive

We’ve all had those days when we seem to be on the run from the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning until they get tucked back into bed at night. Your day was so busy that you didn’t even have time for lunch – but did you get a lot done? Did this flurry of activity bring you one step closer to your long-term goals? If it didn’t, then you are likely confusing “being busy” with “getting things done”.

I’m sure we all know folks that show up at work every day, and seem to put in long hours, but in actuality get very little accomplished. Focusing on the number of hours that are logged just makes things more confusing. Time should not be considered a factor – quality, making progress and accomplishing your goals are the only important considerations.

Reading and answering countless emails, attending meetings and returning phone calls can take up most of your day, but in most cases, it doesn’t lead to accomplishing anything. It is very easy to delude ourselves into thinking that we were busy all day – it’s very important to ask ourselves at the end of each day “What did I accomplish today?”

To get the job done right, you need to follow a defined, planned-out routine that maximizes efficiency. And, you need to follow that plan every day until it becomes second nature to you. Here are three simple strategies to help you get more out of your day, and get closer to achieving your goals.

Before you shut down your computer each night, instead of asking how busy you were during the day, ask yourself how much closer to accomplishing your most important goals you are. If the answer is “not much closer” something is wrong and in need of an overhaul.

Prepare a new routine that will help you get the absolute most out of every tomorrow.

Ensure your new routine is constructed to waste as little time as possible – for example have everything you will need right at hand so you can start work immediately – folders, files, contact numbers and emails should be at your fingertips. Searching around for information, may make you feel like you are busy, but what will you have accomplished?

Old habits die hard, but without change, nothing changes. If you want to successfully achieve your goals on a consistent basis, now is the time to start establishing a new routine and stop wasting time just being busy.