My nutritionist posts a video every weekday morning in Marco Polo and one particular morning she asked the question, “What are you working on?”
Clearly this can be taken a bunch of different ways depending on the context. In the context of having a role as a real estate assistant, what are you working on?
For example, as you’re processing transactions, what are you working on? Are you just going through the motions because you’ve done it a hundred times already that it’s practically second nature? What could you be working on as you’re processing transactions?
You could…
- Bring joy to someone.
- Be kind to someone who is having a bad day or otherwise being curt with you.
- Thank someone for submitting their documents in a timely manner.
- Help someone with a problem.
- Show someone you care by empathizing or otherwise just spending a few extra minutes on the phone with them simply to listen.
- Be on the lookout for a way to improve the system by just 1%.
- Process a transaction faster today than you did yesterday.
Do you see what I’m getting at? Don’t just work in the transaction. Work on improving something: the transaction experience, efficiency, your own thoughts about the transaction and the people you’re working with and for.
But why even bother asking ourselves this question? Why does it matter?
One of the realities we’re facing right now in the real estate industry is burnout. With the market shifting and the inconsistencies in how quickly it takes to sell a home or to find a home for a buyer, agents and assistants alike are just tired. The things that used to bring us joy no longer do.
That’s why we have to redefine what we’re working on. If our events used to bring us at least five referrals each, and now they bring in one, we need to work on those events so they bring us the results we need. It’s possible that we need to work on how we show up to the events. If you and your agents are burned out, how do you think that affects everything you do?
That’s why using the word “could” instead of “should” can change everything.
Try this out with me.
We should call and text everyone who has registered the day before the event.
Or…
We could call and text everyone who has registered the day before the event.
Do you feel the difference? One is an obligation, a mandate, a possible guilt-trip in the making. The other is a possibility.
Do you like working on mandates? Nah, me neither!
But when you and your agents generate a list of possibilities, things you could do, it shines a light into all the dark corners and opens up the world to you. Then you get to choose what you’ll commit to because that particular thing resonated with you and the thought of working on that brings you joy.
So I ask you again. What are you working on?
In the past, I’ve worked on many different things.
- improving my systems
- being a better communicator
- leveling up my leadership skills
- being a better coach
- being less reactive
- improving my emotional intelligence
- redefining how I think about things
- loving myself
You may be wondering how I go about working on all these things.
One way is by studying the works of authors and leaders who have published materials around these things and then finding ways to work their tactics into my journaling and into my tasks.
Another way is by setting an alarm on my phone which reminds me to think of something specific or it asks a question around what I’m working on like, “What act of loving kindness did you give yourself today?”
Yet another way is by forming a habit around it. One of my current favorite habits is The High Five Habit by Mel Robbins where I give myself a high five in the mirror after I brush my teeth as a way of working on self-love.
Remember, by consistently working on yourself and your craft, you can improve not only your own performance but also the success of your team and the satisfaction of your clients.
Now, if you see me and I ask you, “What are you working on?,” will you have an answer?
