It’s no surprise that many real estate agents experience burnout at some point. Real estate is fast-paced and competitive; it requires constant hustle and attention to detail. While there are many rewards to being a real estate pro, there are also drawbacks that can wear people down over time, such as long hours and unpredictable market conditions. In heavily service-oriented businesses like real estate, it is important for professionals to take time for themselves and to practice self-care to avoid burnout.
If you think you might be experiencing real estate burnout, don’t despair. Many experienced real estate agents report feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and even exhausted. There are ways to recognize it and things that you can do to improve your outlook and perspective.
Here are some possible symptoms that may indicate you are on the road to burning out:
You’re tired all the time. While working in real estate requires a lot of energy and it’s perfectly normal to feel tired periodically, chronic exhaustion can be an indicator that the demands of the job may be getting the best of you.
You don’t get excited about new listings. If landing a new listing doesn’t give you a burst of creative energy or a sense of anticipation any longer, you may be burning out.
You don’t get satisfaction from closings. Are closings something you used to celebrate, but now just feel like another day at the office? If so, you may be losing your enthusiasm.
You’re more short tempered than normal with colleagues. Sometimes we can unintentionally take out our frustrations on others. Think about recent interactions with other agents and people in your office and consider whether there’s been a change in your attitude.
You don’t communicate with clients as much. If you used to go out of your way to contact clients frequently, but now mostly wait for them to make the first move, this could be a sign that you’re not as invested in your career as before.
You don’t keep a close eye on market developments. Do you read trade publications and follow online sources as often as you did early in your career? Losing interest in current industry trends could mean you’re getting a bit jaded.
You stop networking. If attending professional meetings and functions with colleagues has lost its appeal, this could be a sign of burnout. Most people who are fully invested in their careers are eager to connect and learn.
Here are some ideas for beating burnout:
- Talk to a respected, experienced colleague and ask them to share any personal experience or advice about handling periods of burnout.
- Take some time off to rest, think, and reflect.
- Remember why you chose real estate as a career in the first place and what motivated you every day.
- Take a continuing education course to reignite your interest and focus.
- Seek out more first-time buyers, who are often enthusiastic, appreciative, and rewarding clients to serve.
- Set working hour limits to give yourself more breaks and relaxation time.
- Consider specializing in a niche market that interests you.
- Change up your marketing materials and social media presence for a fresh start.
- Attend a real estate conference.
- Explore new hobbies and interests outside of real estate to help rejuvenate yourself.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing burnout, don’t despair. Check out the Pipeline Planner and companion journal for some ways to re-envision your real estate career.
