Rookie Agent Needs Time Management advice!

[Jennifer Allan]

Here's a good question I got from a newer agent recently...

"I am finding it slightly overwhelming all the various tasks I have to do that have nothing to do with gaining clients and building relationships. Being an introverted type, I am finding that I am creating "legitimate reasons" to delay getting out there; getting my systems in order, my personal statement 'just right', pondering website content, my use of Outlook vs gmail, paper Daytimer and how all these jive with IXACT, etc etc. It feels like it all has to be done RIGHT NOW but none of it's actually being finalized. Analysis paralysis.

As a consequence, I am now falling behind on my income targets. Clearly, I am very task-oriented and multiple tasks are competing for a very finite amount of time."

See my response below, and please feel free to share YOURS!

[Jennifer Allan]

And my response...

I SO get that and there are probably several things going on here.

First, you NEED to have things organized to feel in control - it's who you are, so you might as well honor it. Don't fight your natural instincts, just get this stuff done as quickly as you can so you'll feel better about your infrastructure.
 
Second, it's possible your organizational tactics are really masking another issue - your lack of confidence in your real estate knowledge and skills. That would be the case for me - as a rookie, there is so much you don't know yet; haven't done yet and you KNOW it. So, you're delaying getting out there and "proving" your inexperience to yourself and prospects, and risking feeling silly, or worse, incompetent.

The solution for this, for most introverts, is to spend some serious time learning as much as you can about your industry (seems like an obvious thing to do anyway, but our industry seems to think it's just fine to go out and generate business before you know what to do with it). Sure, there will always be some learning on the fly and the best teacher is experience, but the problem with that is that it's simply not fair to learn your craft on paying customers. And you know that.
 
There are three things a rookie agent needs to feel comfortable with 1) the MLS; 2) the contracts and 3) your systems. How is your knowledge level on these? You should also be spending some serious quality time getting to know your market, and understanding the process of working with buyers, from start to finish. (If you know the buyer process, the listing stuff is easier).
 
There really isn't a rush to get out there prospecting. I know you're feeling pressure to meet your income goals, but as an introvert, you won't be successful until you're more comfortable in your Realtor skin. If you can, relax, don't push yourself to PRODUCE, but do push yourself to learn as much as you can every day about your new career.

[Karen]

You are not alone!

I get overwhelmed too.  When I start pacing I make a list (I even include some home tasks) and battle each one.  one by one
I'll even think of excuses to delay something until tomorrow, but if I fight it, I can get it done. 
Sometimes a couple of weeks later,  "I'll fall off the wagon and get off track" but thats ok cause I know how to straighten things up again.
p.s when I make a list, I keep it in perspective of what only needs to be done that day.
(I have another list of "projects").  and I always give myself time to smell the roses.