BEST PRACTICEElite AgentOPINION

Why you need off-field and on-field support to succeed in real estate: Kate Strickland

The real estate industry is fast-paced, there’s no doubt about that, which is why it’s important to manage the high expectations that we set for ourselves as agents. The top-performing agents are hard workers, but driving yourself into the ground is not sustainable. Believe me, I found out the hard way.

I am committed to ongoing professional development, implementing processes and utilising tools that will improve on-field performance. My goal is to work smarter, not harder.

I recently wrote about how my ‘on-field pit crew’ helped me keep at the top of my game. They help me with the ‘real estate side of things’.

My ‘off-field pit crew’ is the network of professionals I seek and the tools I use to make me feel empowered, keep me present and enhance my happiness. They keep me on my A-game and are key to sustaining my intensive workload.

Working smarter, to me, is finding the balance between efficiency and ease, which is where my off-field practices come into play. Improving work performance should align with positive choices during downtime. Employing expert trainers, attending relevant conferences and learning from a mentor can only achieve so much if weekends are spent partying and burning the candle at both ends.

To maintain my physical fitness, I have a personal trainer. This allows me to stay accountable, reach my potential and the act of booking in a session to exercise ensures that it will happen! To keep my physical body in check, I get a massage every couple of weeks, I visit the chiropractor regularly and I see an acupuncturist. Just like a race car, the body benefits from regular tune-ups.

In the past, I would neglect my mental wellbeing, and many people do, because it’s not tangible. Since dedicating time to self-care, the effects have rippled into every facet of my life – work, relationships and my time off.

I personally practice regular meditation and breathing techniques to quiet the mind and check in with how I’m feeling internally. We are constantly slammed with external stimuli that prevent us from realising we may be on the brink of burning out, so taking the time to check in with yourself can be an effective prevention from getting sick or reaching exhaustion.

I use essential oils, like peppermint for focus or lavender for relaxation. I use crystals to help cultivate constructive energy, and also to clear out energy that does not serve me. I also practice kinesiology, which is a whole other topic in itself.

An off-field pit crew is not limited to health professionals or wellbeing tools. I also consider my usual barista as an essential part of my pit crew! Without him my morning routine would not be the same. A stylist, or whoever you call on to look your best, is also a vital part of your team.

Through years of experience, I have adopted a holistic approach to reach my optimal performance, both on-field and off-field. There is no ‘one size fits all’, but with the goal of working smarter, rather than harder, you may see astounding benefits to your mental, physical and emotional health, just as I have.

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Kate Strickland

A director of Marshall White Brighton, Kate is an accomplished real estate professional and is widely regarded as an industry thought leader. Kate is passionate about driving change to promote positive wellbeing and strives to ensure her approach to business and life parallels with this principle.