How can real estate investors, agents, and CEOs avoid downtime during the holiday season?
Downtime is a serious issue for both individual real estate professionals and business owners. So how can you avoid the pitfalls that come with the holiday season, and even use the pressure to excel, finish strong, and storm into the New Year?
Don’t Neglect the Good Kind of Downtime
The holidays are a great time to take advantage of. For the sake of my argument, there isn’t a better time in which a relaxing break can benefit your business. While there can be a ton of pressure to get deals closed by the end of the year, this is one time where other professionals and consumers do expect you to take some time off. Use it. Taking some downtime is critical for relationships, your business, and optimal personal performance. You’ll be a better person and professional for it. Take time just to unwind, as well as consciously reviewing your business and planning for the year ahead.
Finding Balance
Downtime can be good for you, and the same goes for all members of your team. However, it doesn’t always appear to be great for business. As previously mentioned; this can be the busiest and craziest time of year in the real estate industry. If you’ve been doing a good job, and got a good head start on 2015, it can be hard to take some time off. So how can real estate investors find that balance and maximize personal success, without allowing business to take a dive and cripple them for the next year?
Accepting that it’s time to do things a little differently is a great start. There can still be much new business to gain, even if it leans more on themed content, blogs, email auto-responders, and in-person networking than at other times of the year.
Secondly, schedule your time and arrange your calendars early. Block out the time you will totally unplug and turn off. If you don’t decide, others will for you. You’ll be flustered, irritated, off your game, and wind up burned out. The same goes for your team members. Just expect they’ll want a few days off, and know that they need it. It can be one of the best gifts you give them, and one of the best moves for your business and real estate career. Don’t wait for them to ask at the last minute, or call in sick. Ask them their plans and organize it. Or preferably; have your assistant handle it.
Maximizing Uptime
Plan on maximizing your uptime, as the coming weeks could be very busy. Many real estate professionals will be traveling or working from home, at least for part of the holidays. Work when you are at your best and most effective. This way’ll you’ll need less time to achieve more.
Preparing for operational consistency during the holidays requires access to information and the right tools. Every real estate CEO, investor, and agent needs multiple tools and devices to facilitate deals.Having several ways to do business is merely a fail-safe and mitigates the risk of being unable to perform. If it can go wrong, it will. Be prepared! Have a pre-paid phone handy in case your iPhone takes a dive in the punch bowl. Have a Chromebook readily available if your new Mac laptop gets shoved off the table. Have a back up internet connection or two, or at least know 2 local places that offer Wi-Fi during the holidays.
Cloud storage is absolutely essential for all types of documents and records. Those that are healthily paranoid may also be wise to use multiple cloud backups, such as Google Docs and Dropbox.
The right connectivity provides access to team members and critical documents. Note that this can be a great time to try outsourcing and remote working arrangements. Bring in some remote team members to fill in the blanks during the holidays, with an eye to regular temping or full time remote work, at lower overall costs. Tackle needs early. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today? There will be plenty of frenzy at the end of year. And last, but certainly not least, automate as much as you can in advance. Take confidence in the fact that your business is working hard for you.
