A well-being agent shares 5 tips for managing stress

Most luxury agents like to work hard, work quickly, and work wonders for their clients. To that end, a healthy, manageable amount of stress is a normal – and even motivating – aspect of the job. However, these normal stresses were badly exacerbated by three disruptive market conditions.

1. Fear of getting lost

With the pace of the market today, it can feel as though everyone is more anxious and demanding. With very short decision timelines, buyers jump into multiple bidding situations – and when the dust has settled and they actually have time to think, I’ve seen many cases where buyers or sellers change their minds, and a number of deals get stuck out of the escrow because of it.

2. No inventory

The competition for listings has become a major source of additional pressure, and some agents even lower their commission in order to gain business. At the end of the day, this only sets a precedent that will hurt them – and the quality they can deliver to their customers – in the future.

3. Expectations vs Reality

With ever-changing markets favoring alternate buyers and sellers, there is often a significant disconnect between both sides of the deal. Buyers need to be patient, sellers must be realistic, and the agents they represent must be cooperative and train their customers to overcome confusion. Only then will the deals be successful for everyone.

As welfare agents, we’ve always known that “Therapist” is a realistic part of our job description, and we pride ourselves on our ability to talk, listen, and care about our clients, being calm in the storm when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

But when you begin to suffer from excessive stress or exhaustion, this ability can be compromised before you even realize that something is wrong. Working from a place of fatigue or frustration prevents you from seeing situations clearly, and this affects everything from your negotiating skills to your ability to find creative solutions. So how can you proactively prevent this from happening?

5 strategies to reduce your stress

We can all develop stress-reducing measures that work for us personally. For example, I am an avid runner; For over 35 years, I’ve spent at least three miles every morning to clear my mind and get ready for the next day. I also do yoga at least five times a week, which has taught me to slow down and take long, deep breaths when my work is hectic. On top of that, I treat regulation like an extreme sport. Maintaining order in everything from my desk to my wardrobe is a fun challenge—one that simplifies my life and increases my focus.

These are examples of the types of systems we can design and implement for ourselves on an individual basis. But for the more widely applicable methods, I would suggest the following:

1. Call it as you see it

Don’t deny your pressure. Name the problem, stare it in the face, and admit it. First and foremost, being able to recognize the signs of fatigue allows you to activate the systems you put in place to mitigate it. Then you can solve the problem.

2. Write a to-do list

We all multitask, and being busy is what I love most about this job. But when we deal with too many at once, the quality of our production deteriorates. In these times, it is essential to categorize your priorities and work through them in a systematic way. There is nothing better than witnessing your amazing productivity.

3. You can ask for help

Many luxury real estate offices have operating and management teams whose role and goal is to support agents in order to grow the business. I like to have a leadership team and general counsel who can provide immediate, thoughtful answers to my questions. If you have access to similar resources, make the most of them — and at the very least, you value colleagues you can talk to in difficult times.

4. You can help too

I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to talk, so if you see someone struggling, reach out. I’ve always believed that the rising tide lifts all boats, and that by proactively helping each other, we help our community, our industry, and ourselves by expanding our own professional networks.

5. Embrace Positive

You mentioned that when stress is manageable, it can also be a motivator — and sometimes the difference between positive and negative stress is just how you think.

When times are tough, I like to take a moment to look out the window, see the sunshine, and appreciate the privilege of working, who I work with, and the difference I will make in my clients. spirits. But burnout is real, and when it does happen, it’s hard to overcome on your own. If you feel like you are being left behind, remember to speak up, ask for help, and know that you are not alone.

stress vs exhaustion

Excessive stress can lead to fatigue, both of which are harmful to your health. But they are not exactly the same. If you feel bored or overwhelmed, which of these descriptions apply to you the most?

a) You are very involved in your work, and no matter how hard you try, it is not good enough
b) You are out of work, feel physically exhausted and mentally defeated

a) Your emotions run high, and negative experiences feel harsh and hard to bear
b) you feel emotional numbness, apathy, and pessimism, but sometimes you feel upset and resentful as well

a) You think everything will be better once you can check all your urgent tasks
b) You are convinced that you are useless and unproductive and there is no light at the end of the tunnel

If you are more attached to the first option, you are likely to be overly fatigued. If you identify more with the second, you may be burned out.

Stress often involves feeling “too much,” while fatigue is all about “not enough.” Both have short- and long-term health implications, so seek help to lighten your workload, refocus your view of the positive things in your life, and make enough time to sleep, relax and exercise.

It sounds easier said than done – but you’d be surprised how quickly these problems can be resolved if you allow yourself to be dependent on others.

For more resources on preventing burnout, visit the NAR website for articles on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

As one of San Diego’s most successful luxury and coastal real estate experts for 24 years, Linda Sansone is widely respected by colleagues and clients alike for her integrity, deep market knowledge, and industry leadership.

With a master’s degree, CPA, and background as a financial manager, Linda is a rarity in the real estate industry. Before moving to Rancho Santa Fe, she honed her skills as a chartered accountant at Deloitte, one of the most respected financial firms in the country, and as a CFO running large industrial and architectural real estate firms on the East Coast.