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8 steps to thrive with a sustainable real estate career

By John Cunningham
12 July 2023 | 12 minute read
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There’s a popular myth in real estate that the only way to succeed is to hustle and grind, make the calls and get the sales, put everything else to one side. It’s making us miserable.

The Revive Research from the RiSE Initiative shows that 42 per cent of those working in the industry often feel overwhelmed by their workload, a further 42 per cent are not at all satisfied with their current health and fitness, and 30 per cent have experienced burnout as a result of work. Our approach is literally killing us.

Desmond Tutu once famously said: “We need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in.” And that’s what we’re working on to achieve at the RiSE Initiative.

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To replace the hustle and grind narrative, we need a new approach one that is focused on how we can thrive and achieve success not just on financial metrics, but on relationships, self-care, and productivity. Ironically, taking this approach inevitably creates stronger and more sustainable financial outcomes for us in the longer term.

But achieving a thriving life where productive work, self-care, and family time harmoniously coexist requires a thoughtful approach and conscious effort. It needs discipline.

This requires developing effective time and choice management and work-life integration strategies, as well as adopting sustainable practices in one’s business operations and personal lifestyle choices.

Here are some key elements to work on:

  1. Goal setting and prioritisation: Define your values, aspirations, and long-term goals. Identify what truly matters to you in different aspects of life, such as work, self-care, and family. Prioritise these goals and create a clear vision of how they can align with one another.
  2. Time management: Efficiently manage your time by setting boundaries and establishing routines. Prioritise tasks, delegate when possible, and learn to say no to non-essential commitments. Use time-blocking techniques to allocate specific periods for work, self-care, and family activities.
  3. Boundaries and work-life integration: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Set dedicated work hours and create a separate space for work-related activities. When work is done, shift your focus to self-care and family. However, remember that achieving perfect balance may not always be feasible, so aim for work-life integration instead, where activities from each domain can complement and support one another.
  4. Effective communication and support: Open and honest communication is vital, both at work and with your family. Clearly express your needs and expectations, and seek support when necessary. Collaborate with your employer or colleagues to establish flexible work arrangements or discuss ways to optimise productivity. Involve your family members in planning and decision-making to ensure everyones needs are considered.
  5. Self-care and wellbeing: Prioritise self-care activities that recharge and rejuvenate you. This could include exercise, meditation, hobbies, spending time in nature, or engaging in activities that bring you joy. Remember that taking care of your wellbeing is not selfish but essential for maintaining overall productivity and fulfilment.
  6. Purposeful family time: Create intentional and meaningful moments with your family. Set aside dedicated time to engage in activities together, obvious things like shared meals, homework assist, playtime, and outdoor activities. Make an effort to truly connect and be present during these interactions.
  7. Flexibility and adaptability: Life can be unpredictable, and finding a perfect balance may not always be feasible. Embrace flexibility and be willing to adapt your plans and routines when necessary. Learn to prioritise and make trade-offs based on current circumstances.
  8. Continuous evaluation and adjustments: Regularly assess how well your approach is working and adjust as needed. Re-evaluate your goals, priorities, and routines periodically to ensure they align with your evolving needs and circumstances.

Achieving a thriving life is a personal journey, and the balance will vary for everyone.

It requires self-awareness, commitment, and ongoing effort to find the right harmony between work, self-care, and family, but with mindful attention and adjustments along the way, it is achievable, and together, we can all rise.

John Cunningham is the president of the RiSE Initiative.

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