Working smarter, not longer, is the key to success. High performance real estate coach and trainer Josh Phegan examines what role diet, sleep, exercise and work routines play in you staying at the top of your game.
We’d all love a few more hours in the day. More time to prospect, more time to list and more time to sell. But is burning the candle at both ends really the best way to succeed?
In the short term, long hours, little sleep, eating on the run and flopping down in front of the television at the end of another long day may help you achieve your goals. What you need to ask yourself is ‘Can I do this for the next five, 10 or 20 years?’ The answer is most likely a resounding no! This type of working lifestyle will likely result in one outcome: burnout.
As real estate becomes an increasingly competitive field, it’s important to have routines in place to ensure you’re working at your best and physically and mentally able to grasp the opportunities that come your way. This is especially important during August through to December, which is the bumper selling period where even more pressure will be loaded upon your shoulders.
Diet:
What you eat and when you eat it plays a large role in your energy levels, ability to focus and your general health. Food is fuel and you need to refuel regularly to avoid stalling. Bad eating habits will wear you out so it’s important to eat every four to six hours or five small meals a day to keep your energy levels up. Drinking lots of water is also vital as it ensures your mind is fresh and clear.
Exercise:
Stress is a major contributor to burnout and one of the best stress relievers is exercise. Personal trainers can help get you moving and keep you motivated or you might prefer to go it alone and hit the gym, the pool or the road.
Whatever your choice, ensure you exercise on a regular basis to prompt your body to release endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters that have powerful stress-busting capabilities.
Sleep:
Burning the candle at both ends really is a short-term solution to a long-term issue. Eventually a lack of sleep will render you ineffective. Instead set a designated bedtime and a solid chunk of sleep will have you doing more in less time.
Task list:
With your physical recovery routines in place you will find your mental clarity and focus is greatly improved. With this in mind you need to harness that focus and channel it so you’re as efficient and productive as possible. Keeping a daily task list will direct that focus and help you manage your workflow and stay on track.
Take a break:
Working in 45-minute blocks will help you stay sharp and focused. Set a timer if you need to and give your mind a rest every 45 minutes. You’ll soon find you’re getting more done in less time thanks to the break.
Emotional energy:
Keep positive people with great energy around you and forego negative distractions. Using things such as music or meditation to motivate or relax you can also help keep you in a positive frame of mind.
Goals and achievements:
Keep a list of your goals and achievements in your phone. Update them regularly and look at them often as a way to boost your confidence or sense of purpose.
