​Simplifying Your Life - And Your Real Estate Business

Does it seem like life used to be so much simpler? It does to me. My schedule is jam-packed almost every day, my to-do list is a mile long, and there just always seems to be something to do or someone to meet.

I love my fast-paced life, but it does get tiring sometimes. I think most investors probably feel the same way. In fact, I would go so far as to say that living a simpler life is something that most of us strive for. Switching to a slower-paced lifestyle would mean less stress and more time with family and friends, and who doesn’t want that?

Simplification could also have a positive impact on your real estate business. Things could be more streamlined, your time would be used more efficiently, and your profit potential could improve.

Sounds pretty awesome, huh? So how can we make this happen? Here are a few of my ideas:

Eliminate Clutter

I am a huge believer that clutter reduces productivity and efficiency. Whether it’s clutter on your desk or in your car or even on your computer, it’s time to get rid of it. Obviously you need to hang on to important and useful stuff, but seriously, throw out the crap. For me, I have a tendency to hold onto papers that I don’t really need, like receipts and other random paperwork. So once a week or so, I go through them, tossing the ones that don’t matter. If there’s something I feel I need to keep, I’ll either file it or scan it and save it on my computer. This is also a good time to organize. As you remove the clutter, find places for the things you need. Group like items and files together, and put them in easily accessible places so you can quickly get to them when you need to.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology is your friend...most of the time. I’ll be the first to say that it can get a little frustrating at times, especially if you’re dealing with new or unfamiliar concepts, but in general, technology is a wonderful thing. There are so many different programs and apps out there that can help improve efficiency and make thing simpler. Find which ones benefit you most, and use them to your advantage. Just be careful not to go overboard with too many apps and gadgets, because then you’ll be right back feeling the effects of clutter.

Cultivate the Right Relationships

In real estate, it’s all about who you know. Networking is very important, and building relationships with lots of different people in the industry is a good thing. However, you need to make sure that you’re forming relationships with the right people. For instance, if you’re using a turnkey strategy to invest, should you really be focusing on expanding a relationship with a contractor? I mean, you can, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but your efforts might be better placed in working with lenders or other investors. All I’m saying is that there’s no point in trying to build a massive network of people who won’t be of any value to you and what you’re doing, so focus on the ones that will. Quality over quantity.

Delegate Tasks

Your real estate business doesn’t have to be a one-man (or woman) show. If that’s how you’re running it, you’re over-complicating things. Think about all the things that you do, and then consider how you might be able to delegate some of those jobs. If you’re in a position to hire an assistant, go for it. They can handle some of the more mundane tasks at first, and then hopefully they’ll evolve into more of a partner.

Take Time to Breathe

What’s the point of simplifying everything if you never take any time to enjoy it? Breaks can be just as important as getting things done, because your mind and body need time to rest and recharge. Build down time into your schedule so that you can focus on you and the people and things you love. It’s good for you and ultimately good for your business as well.