What twins have taught me about running my business

Well, it's been quite a long time since I last posted a blog on here. I've been a little busy this year...I gave birth to beautiful twin boys July 29th, 2009. Braden and Brycen. They are wonderful and I never knew being a parent was so joyful. If I had, I probably wouldn't have waited so long. I'm 36. We didn't even know if we wanted kids but I guess God made that decision for us and I'm sooooo glad He did. Smile.

The funny thing is, I've just recently started back to work - focusing on my business a lot more - and what having twins has ironically done is made me more efficient. I have far less time to work now than I did before which means I am VERY selective about how I spend that time. It's made me realize how much time I wasted before. I am totally living the 80/20 rule now because all I have time for is the 20%. If I only have 2 hours in a day to work, I make sure I spend that time either doing things that directly generate new business, i.e. prospecting, calling past clients, etc or I'm face to face with people, negotiating contracts, listing appointments, etc. Before kids, I was like a kid in a candy store; I knew I had a 40-50 hour work week and frankly, wasted a lot of that time on trying to perfect everything before I actually took action. I think that's a glorified way to say I procrastinated because I HATE to prospect. Now I know if I only have 10 minutes, I'm going to at least make 2 or 3 calls. If that's all I get done that day, I know it's time well spent.

The other thing I am doing is focusing on getting listings! I really don't have time now for buyers so I will just refer them to a buyers agent and take a referral fee. They can consult me on the negotiations, etc but I don't have time to show property right now. Well, maybe for a select few.

So is it working, you're wondering? Well, let's just say I've really only been back to work for about a month, working about 10-15 hours a week. In the past month, I've obtained 2 new listings, both of which are pending, scheduled to close in the next couple of weeks. I have received 4 new referrals in the past few weeks, two buyers and two past clients wanting to list within the next couple of months. I can only imagine how this philosophy can grow my business when I have 20 hours or even 30 hours a week to work, which will hopefully be by January as I plan to hire someone to help with the boys. Now, in addition, I knew I was going to have my hands full so I arranged for Bob Parks Realty's (my Company) marketing department to mail to my database at least once a month. This way, I can keep my clients informed on Murfreesboro real estate, as well as the Middle Tennessee Real Estate market, including Rutherford County, plus fun stuff, like green home tips, recipes, etc.

You can be assured, I have very succinct goals for 2010 and my business plan is very specific. Hope this at least makes you brain storm about your goals.

Til next time - whenever that may be. :)

Kim