Balancing Act: Walking the Work-Life Tightrope

In today’s world, many of us find ourselves wearing multiple hats and balancing numerous essential responsibilities simultaneously. Maintaining balance in life is undeniably crucial, yet achieving it is often a challenging endeavor. The need to excel in our professional pursuits while simultaneously meeting the needs of our children, supporting a spouse or partner, connecting with friends, siblings, and parents, can often leave very little time for ourselves. What happens when you believe you’re managing everything just fine, only to find yourself suddenly overwhelmed by burnout? How do we find and maintain a healthy balance? To shed light on this topic, we’ve consulted with a few of our esteemed and accomplished RASM members to gather invaluable tips on avoiding overload, balancing work-life responsibilities, and managing the toll of everyday stress.

DANGERS OF BURNOUT

Unfortunately, burnout can affect anyone at some stage of their life or career. When you’ve reached burnout, you may experience a range of symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, reduced motivation, decreased productivity, irritability, and physical or emotional exhaustion. It can also lead to negative impacts on your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Additionally, burnout can affect your ability to effectively cope with stress and fulfill responsibilities both at work and in your personal life.

“Burnout is real, no matter what your occupation is,” said Barry Grooms, Realtor®, and Co-Owner of Florida SunCoast Real Estate Inc., along with his wife, Sherry Grooms. “Everyone is subject to burnout. We need to know its symptoms. It’s no different than any other mental or physical illness; it must be addressed. As soon as you identify the symptoms and you’re honest with yourself, the sooner you can address it and it will have less of a negative impact on you. But I don’t think burnout is simply from overworking. I think burnout is from not seeing the fruits of your labor with the work you’re putting in. If I’m prospecting and I’m doing everything that everyone tells me that I should be doing, but I’m just not getting the leads I am hoping for, then I’m going to feel burnout.”

STRATEGIES TO MAINTAIN BALANCE

Balancing work life with family life is undeniably challenging, but drawing from the insights of our esteemed RASM industry experts, here are some tried and true strategies aimed at nurturing this delicate balance.

NEED FOR COMMUNICATION

In the continuously changing landscape of the workplace, effective communication stands as a cornerstone of success. It serves as the conduit through which ideas, concerns, and challenges are exchanged, fostering collaboration and innovation. Without regular and open communication, it’s very difficult to make informed decisions and tackle problems.

“In the real estate industry specifically, we can work countless hours with little or nothing to show for it,” added Grooms. “One thing that I am very mindful of with my agents is communication. Someone can come to me with brilliant ideas, but if those ideas require too much of their time and don’t directly translate into transactions, then my very capable agent can become frustrated and exhausted. My advice is to always bounce your ideas off others that you trust, so that you can gauge your time vs. success ratio. Make sure that you are using your valuable time to leverage the best possible results. In addition, if you’re working too hard and running on empty, you need to communicate your frustrations with someone you trust. One insightful conversation might be all you need to get you back on track.”

SET PRIORITIES

“Setting priorities in business is essential, but if you’re not in the right mindset, those properties can be easily steamrolled by financial concerns,” said Grooms. “The bills might be adding up, and there are no deals in the pipeline. But financial stress will kill your instincts. This is where networking and engaging with others is so important. Be very mindful of your inner circle of friends and influences. Always have five people around you who are smarter than you, people who will help you become smarter, who will help you set micro goals that will ultimately lead to big goals achieved. Review your priorities with them and really listen to their advice. You might not be in a position to take a vacation, but you can go easier on yourself and work smarter and not harder.”

ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES

“I’m a dad to four amazing and energetic kids. They keep me pretty busy, especially during evenings and weekends,” said Brian J. Partie Jr. PA, Director of Growth & Business Development with Engel & Völkers Suncoast. “As a parent, I’ve learned the significance of establishing clear boundaries in my interactions with others. It’s essential to provide guidance on how people should engage with you and when you’re available. Certain crucial questions, like ensuring alignment in standards, expectations, needs, and desires, need to be addressed upfront. Not everyone will be a perfect match, and that’s perfectly fine. You can’t cater to everyone, but with the right mindset, there are ample opportunities for success. Mastering the art of saying no is key: recognizing your limits and being willing to decline additional commitments and connections that might overwhelm your time and energy.”

Establishing boundaries will mean something different for everyone, but we all have the same 24 hours each day, and it’s our discretion in allocating and managing that time that truly defines our productivity and well-being.

“It’s not healthy for anyone to work 24/7, it’s ridiculous,” said Grooms. “If my agents tell me how ‘dedicated’ they are by answering their phone anytime, day or night, I immediately tell them that they need downtime. There needs to be a very clear distinction between your calendar and someone else’s calendar. If you don’t take control of your own schedule, then it controls you. And if a client is demanding more of your time then you’re comfortable with, you need to make the decision of whether that is worth it to you. But if you don’t actively make that decision, if you just allow it to happen without reevaluating other obligations, then you are giving someone else control over your schedule, and that will lead to burnout every time.”

TIME-SAVING TECHNIQUES

With so much on our schedules, no one can afford to waste time. So when we have specific tasks to accomplish, being disciplined and managing your time, and avoiding distractions, will greatly improve your chance for success.

“Implementing effective, time-saving techniques can significantly enhance productivity, and there are three that have been game changers for me,” said Partie. “One valuable strategy is time blocking, where you allocate specific blocks for dedicated tasks, minimizing multitasking and ensuring concentrated attention on one aspect at a time. Another practical approach is to batch similar tasks, grouping related activities together during designated time blocks. This not only streamlines your workflow but also reduces the cognitive load of switching between different types of tasks. Additionally, maintaining a habit of regularly reviewing and adjusting your schedule is essential.”

“If you have a small task that can be done, then do it right away and get it off your list,” said Grooms. “Knock off those things that you can quickly and easily do, and before you know it, you’ve accomplished ten tasks that might have looked overwhelming at first. Also, time blocking is a fantastic tool. Block off two hours of your day, with your door closed and your phone muted, and focus only on your highest priority. You will be amazed at how much you will accomplish when you’ve given yourself two hours of uninterrupted, focused work time without distractions. Then, take the rest of the day off!”

DELEGATE AND OUTSOURCE

We all have different abilities and skill sets. Trying to be everything to everyone is not practical and will most definitely lead to burnout.

“Preventing burnout begins with self-awareness,” said Partie. “Burnout tends to arise quicker and intensify when dealing with tasks that aren’t aligned with our natural strengths or passions. Take the time to understand your purpose and why you do what you do; it significantly shapes your approach to work and life. When there’s alignment between your actions and the impact on others, putting in extra time and effort feels fulfilling rather than leading to burnout. Try to delegate or outsource the things that eat up your time and energy, that you might not be best suited for anyway. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your efforts contribute to both personal satisfaction and serving others effectively.”

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

“If I don’t schedule small segments of time for myself on my calendar and treat these scheduled events with the same level of importance as any other task or meeting, then it just won’t happen,” said Charlotte Griffin, Business Development Director with Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC. “I have three amazing daughters, and they are the driving factor for all that I do; they are the primary reason that I work so hard, and I strive for more. I love spending quality time with them. But if I don’t have time for me, then I’m not going to be the best version of me that my family deserves. I need a few moments throughout the week where I can just stop and be still. I need to reset my mind in a quiet space – maybe that means taking lunch by myself, or a small walk outside – it doesn’t have to be something big. But a few moments of quiet alone time are essential for me personally, and I think it could really help others as well,” added Griffin.

“Self-care” is a term that’s gaining significant attention lately, and for good reason. Real estate is a demanding industry and despite our best intentions, stress has a cunning ability to overwhelm us, often catching us off guard. Prioritizing our mental and emotional well-being is paramount in navigating life’s challenges. In addition, keeping an eye on our colleagues and friends who may be experiencing similar stressors is equally important.

“I suggest taking scheduled breaks throughout the day,” added Grooms. “These breaks can be as simple as going for a walk, taking a short nap, or whatever you need to do to recharge your batteries. Also, take some time to check on others who could use a positivity break in their own hectic schedule. And then when your break time is over, you are ready to hit the ground running because you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.”

SCHEDULE QUALITY TIME

Scheduling quality time goes beyond self-care and taking breaks throughout the day, it means planning events and activities with those you love and having something to look forward to. Plan these events as you would plan your workday. Make schedule quality time a priority - it’s essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and nurturing your relationships.

BE REALISTIC

“Life’s unpredictability ensures that despite our best-laid plans, there will inevitably be moments when circumstances diverge from our expectations,” explained Griffin. “And that’s perfectly alright, it’s bound to happen, we have to be realistic and can’t beat ourselves up over it,” she continued, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and self-compassion. “Maintaining a backup plan is invaluable for me in navigating these twists and turns, because inevitability, my plans will change without my control. It’s about communication with colleagues and loved ones, establishing a network of support for when life takes an unexpected turn. Whether it’s leaning on a trusted coworker or seeking assistance from family members, having these contingencies in place can alleviate stress and help us navigate the inevitable surprises.”

LEARN TO SAY “NO”

Mastering the art of saying “no” proves challenging for many, particularly in service-oriented sectors like real estate.

“Sometimes it feels like we’re juggling too many balls in the air, and one small slip can send them all crashing down,” said Griffin. “Overload happens to all of us. But it’s important to remember that it’s okay to prioritize, ask for help when needed, and just say ‘no’ when we need to. Saying ‘no’ isn’t being rude, but it’s often time self-preservation. When we have too many obligations, then we need to be smart about what we can and can’t do. We’re only human, and we can’t do everything perfectly all the time.”

As professionals in the real estate industry, when too many tasks land on our plate, have strategies in place to weed through the essential priorities versus the items that can wait.

“Whenever I start to really feel overloaded, I take a few minutes alone to just organize my thoughts,” said Griffin. “I have one list of what I ‘have’ to do, and one list of what I ‘want’ to do. Seeing these tasks side-by-side really helps me to prioritize. Many of us have children, and relationships, and families to care for. Inevitably, the ‘want to do’ side of the equation starts to take priority because if I ignore it, my life will be out of balance. Family and loved ones must come first. I’m so grateful to work for a company that understands this and fully supports me.”

Juggling all of our diverse responsibilities can prove especially demanding, and there will inevitably be moments when maintaining this equilibrium seems nearly impossible.

“Life will be unpredictable – that’s a fact, and there is no avoiding stress for any of us. It’s important to realize that most of us are doing the best we can,” added Grooms. “But we have to remember the reasons why we work as hard as we do. Our families and loved ones need to come first, and with effort, the rest will fall into place. We also need to look out for one another. If you see someone who is struggling, don’t hesitate to throw out a life preserver to a sinking colleague, agent, or friend. Share what’s worked for you. The pursuit of work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires self-compassion, empathy for others, adaptability, and a commitment to always do our best, and at the end of the day, that has to be enough.”