TIME

Becoming a realtor has taught me the importance of time and delegating it appropriately.

The truest, most beautiful life never promises to be an easy one. We can however do our best to make it easier on ourselves.

Tips & Tricks to keeping a clean productive "life calendar".

Finding the balance between work and play is something I struggled with at first. I have recently realized combining work and play is possible. When you clear your calendar for only things that make you happy, life becomes more fun.

Make sure to prioritize the things that make your heart happy and fill your cup.

Whether you work for yourself, manage employees, or are an employee delegated tasks I hope this helps in giving an ease of time and mind.

Tip #1 - Put literally EVERYTHING in your calendar

Whether I have an inspection, a girls night planned, or just going to the grocery store. You bet it's in my calendar.

I have a terrible memory, so I first started putting everything in my calendar because I would forget a planned girl's night or event and feel in panic when I was reminded.

The amount of ease having everything in my calendar has given me is phenomenal. As soon as I set a plan or get a wedding invitation in the mail, if I can instantly make a calendar event. If I am busy at the moment, I add it to my list of events sitting on my desk to add to my calendar the next morning.

TIP: Add the location to your events (even for girls' nights if it was agreed upon prior), it takes all the stress of trying to find out where the wedding reception is or not having to look back in text messages where you planned to meet for girls' night.

Tip #2 - Don't wait to update your calendar

This one is one that I work on consistently. Trying to shake the "I'll add it tonight or later when I have time" has been a hard one for me.

Waiting to update your calendar trickles into waiting to update others on plans or scheduling something you've been trying to find time for. It starts to affect your sense of calm, and almost makes you feel busier than you are.

It takes maybe a minute to add an event or task to your calendar. Take the minute while its fresh on your mind, before it gets forgotten and missed.

TIP: If you really do not have time to add an event or task to your calendar, add it to your to-do list to be added. BUT do update your calendar at the end or start of every day when you have time.

Tip #3 - Make a realistic To-Do List

Tip: Organize and prioritize your To-Do List

I keep a sticky note to-do list on my computer, and an "add to sticky note" sticky note on my phone. This may be an overkill, but it works for me.

Keeping my most important tasks at the top w/ deadlines tallied behind if they have them.

Add your to-do list to your calendar, schedule and set time aside to complete your tasks.

"There is no such thing as time management; there is only self-management"

Tip #4 - Plan the month ahead

Once a month, usually the last week of the month prior to a new month. I go through all Fargo-Moorhead events and add whichever ones I would like to attend to my calendar. I love getting out and attending events in the community.

It usually takes about a half-hour to an hour to go through the month of events and add them to my calendar.

I also make sure my calendar is up to date with work, weddings, trips, and friends' nights. It is a good feeling to be able to look ahead and see what weekends you have free, especially when someone asks what you have going on a specific weekend. It's not "I'll get back to you" anymore, it's "let me check my calendar".

Tip #5 - Leave time for yourself

Don't let yourself get burnt out! As much as I love filling my calendar and staying productive, I sometimes forget to leave nights or days for myself to reset and relax.

Lately this has been Sundays for me, a day I have now dedicated to tidying the house, spending time with my babies/significant other, and taking time before bed for self-care.

TIP: Pick a specific day every week for yourself, where you say no to events and hangout invitations. People will understand if you tell them, I need a night to myself to relax and reset. (Yes, important things come up and this won't always work. But try your best to stick to it)

Tip #6 - Delegate

We are not superheroes. Growing in anything means not being afraid to ask for help. I have seen others and myself get burnt out from trying to do it all or too much.

It has a cause for burnout. Your work peers, friends, significant other, and family will help you and not feel bad about it. Typically, if you are burning out those closest around you will start to notice.

If you take on too many tasks, you tend you give less value to each. Whether it being at home or in the office.

The more work you take on, the more hands you need.

Successful transformation from Busy to Productive

Time management can be difficult, I still occasionally struggle with delegating my time appropriately.

Make sure to prioritize the things that make your heart happy and fill your cup. Filling your calendar with things that don't make you happy, is only wasting your time. This will leave you feeling in a state of busy. If you instead fill your calendar with things that make you happy and cutting out the things that are wasting your time, you will start to get the feeling of being productive.

Your time is of value, value yourself and your time.

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Tera Walker

Beyond Realty

320-226-8117

beyondrealtyfm.com