The Fundamentals of Time Management for a REALTOR®
Louisiana REALTORS® • January 20, 2020
Time is money. This is a common saying, but time can actually be more valuable than money, and there are good and bad ways to spend and save both. The way you organize your schedule and manage each day plays a vital role in your success. This is especially true for REALTORS®. Because of the relationship between time, money, and success are so interconnected, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of time management.
The Eisenhower Matrix
Each day there are tasks that need to be done. There are also tasks that can get done but aren’t necessarily necessary. Prioritizing your day is a great way to work smarter, not harder. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you to make decisions about certain tasks so you can work as efficiently as possible. This matrix features four categories: do first, schedule, delegate, and don’t do. The top of the matrix has two characteristics: urgent, and less urgent. The left side of the matrix also has two characteristics: important, less important. Tasks that are important and urgent should be done first. Tasks that are important and less urgent can be scheduled for another time. Tasks that are less important, but still urgent can be delegated. Simply don’t do the tasks that day that are less important and less urgent.
Maintain a Schedule with Flexibility
Booking every minute of every day is a recipe for disaster especially when dealing with a variety of clients. Not only will it wear you down quickly, it doesn’t allow for any change in plans or unforeseen events. Again, prioritizing is very beneficial, but allow your schedule to be flexible. This makes it easier to account for a change of plans and new opportunities. It is important to be sure to determine what activities are income-producing and which activities could be busywork.
Time Blocking
Time blocking has proven to be an effective time management strategy. It’s as simple as it sounds. Instead of trying to accomplish a variety of things in a random, disorganized way, set a block of time and focus on one task, and complete it. This added level of focus can be centered on your most important tasks, making you more thorough and at the end of the day, more productive. A good example of this is setting aside a concentrated block of time for prospecting and follow-ups. Having a time block helps with focusing those efforts and producing-better outcomes.
Take Quick, Regular Breaks to Maintain Productivity
By nature, your brain can only focus on one activity for an hour or so. Once you reach this point in time, your actual productivity drops tremendously. In order to counteract this effect, set an alarm to remind you to stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Instead of trying to trudge through and finish a task, these quick, regular breaks can end up saving you time and make you more effective.
These are only a few fundamentals of time management. Implementing them can allow you to get more done in less time. As a knowledgeable, professional REALTOR® you can provide the highest level of service to your clients when your schedule is organized and efficient.
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Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will elect six (6) LR At-Large Directors at its October 1st meeting. Qualifications and an application for the position can be found below.
