If one thing’s for certain, it’s that change is inevitable.
We’ve well and truly learned that lesson in the past 24 months as we’ve navigated changed business operations, a changed market, and changed social lives as well.
But while change may be guaranteed, it can quickly leave you feeling like things are beyond your control.
So here’s how to stay focused and in control no matter what’s happening around you.
Start at the very beginning
Regardless of when and why the landscape shifts, re-centring yourself and getting back to basics is always the first port of call.
And, without exception, that starts with a good old-fashioned to-do list.
This to-do list allows you to critically analyse a situation to work out what must be done, in which order as part of an action plan.
Detail your personal and business finances
It’s imperative to understand your personal and business finances at all stages of the real estate journey, but this becomes even more critical in a period of change or transformation.
When you know your business bottom line and the incomings and outgoings, you are better equipped to make clear and self-assured decisions about where you are headed next.
List your work priorities
As much as we talk about real estate, it is just one element of a full and satisfying “big life”.
If change or a challenge sees you needing to focus on work, list your priorities to understand how much energy is required and exactly what needs to be done.
Rank these priorities in order so you know exactly which to tackle first. Often when you are clear about your work priorities, it allows you to relax and better enjoy other areas of your life as well.
Look after yourself
Remember the days of airline travel, when an in-flight announcement would urge you to put on your oxygen mask before helping anyone else?
It’s the same in real estate, business and, in many cases, your personal life as well.
In order to manage change, or indeed, any challenge in life, we need to be in a good position personally.
This entails tending to the “little” things that often get neglected first, such as personal fitness, health and wellbeing, or perhaps time spent just “being”.
The reality is, you are of no use to anyone if you are not looking after yourself, so make it a priority in good times and bad.
Embrace what you have
One of the big trappings of real estate is that often we’re chasing the next listing or the next sale.
That can come at the expense of enjoying what we have or of recognising what we have achieved.
At the end of each year, I urge the members of our network to look back and reflect on their accomplishments.
Why? Because success leaves clues and also provides the self-assurance, confidence and resilience needed to regroup for the period ahead and tackle whatever may come.
If you haven’t taken the time to reflect on what you have achieved personally and professionally, I would strongly urge you to do so.
Our industry is one of shifting goalposts, but with the right mindset, support and personal reflection, it offers an opportunity to enjoy great success and personal satisfaction no matter the inevitable changes we encounter along the way.
Manos Findikakis is the chief executive and co-founder of the Eview Group.