Once you get active in real estate, it's really hard to find TIME. So, if it's slow, work on your business plan, get back in touch with your clients and your COI or SOI. Better yet, learn more. It's a great time to work on a designation. If you can't travel, there are courses on line. You may have courses locally or within an hour or two's drive.
Better yet, travel to another location to take the course(s). You'll not only learn more by learning what's going on in another area, you'll also be far enough away not to be distracted by work, and most of all - you'll have the opportunity to develop new referral sources. You may even want to schedule a course in a location that is sending business to your area. Yes, I know, you can also schedule it where you have family or friends, or in a resort location.
You'll be getting new ideas that may boost your business, you'll get a time away and return energized, and you may have developed new sources of business. All of these are far more significant than staying put and complaining about the business that isn't.
I've been working on my GRI and CRS. I love learning new information and getting to know other motivated and driven agents. Thanks for the important reminder.
Deb
Thanks for the advice. I've only just started. However, I am finding it hard to determine which designation would best suit me. So many to choose from.
Sharon:
An excellent suggestion for all of us! You and I have discussed the CLHMS and this next year we may get it off the ground for San Diego!
This is a great idea, we need to keep up with the industry and working on a designation will give us more incite. I also like the part about going to a different area to take a course as this too might provide a learning experience.
Laura - I agree. In fact, I think agents should get more than one designation - we should constantly be learning and improving as long as we're in the profession.
Deb - good for you! The learning and the relationships are so very important.
Kimberly - exactly. There's so much we "ignore" when we're really busy.
Richard - think about which content most matches your interests - i.e., if you like working with buyers and hate working with sellers, then pursue buyer courses instead of listing courses. If you're in a resort market you may want to learn more about marketing those properties and how to attract resort buyers. Choose what matches your interests and your goals.
Linda - yes, it's about being better able to serve clients. I explain to my clients the relevance of what I'm learning to better serve their needs.
Roberta - I hope you will get it off the ground this year - Tami and I really look forward to teaching the CLHMS there in Carlsbad.
Jennifer - yes, it's about maximizing your time and expense. For just a little more of each, you get get extra benefits.
Brian - we're certainly alike in those areas. I rarely use all my designations - certainly not on my business cards. I tend to use the ones that are appropriate and relevant to the client or property.