- Productivity boils down to proper planning.
- Manage your time well by planning by year, month, week and day.
- A good CRM can boost your productivity by helping you parse out your most important tasks.
If you’re like many real estate professionals, you rely on a CRM (customer relationship management system) to help you update and maintain your database. But, did you know your CRM can help improve your productivity?
Productivity boils down to proper planning. Want to get more done each day? Plan! However, if you’re like most agents, you might take it day-by-day or week-by-week.
Planning takes the frustration out of the unexpected and gives you more control over your time. The more you plan, the more productive you’ll be. Here’s how to plan using your CRM:
Yearly: Plan your vacations, seminars and other important days
Start by planning the time you want to take off. It gives you something to work toward and look forward to during the year. Also, be sure to note the potential dates for client parties you want to host or other events that take time to plan.
Monthly: Mark monthly personal and business commitments
Include events or activities you might not have known about at the beginning of the year.
Every month, flip open your calendar:
- What big things are happening this month?
- Are there seminars or vacations coming up?
- What transactions are expected to close this month?
- Are you planning to distribute seasonally-themed gifts to thank your clients for their business and referrals?
Because many of these tasks and events involve some preparation, planning for them in advance will allow you to get ready ahead of time. And if you’re going out of town, get ahead so you’re not overwhelmed when you’re back in the office.
Weekly: Input your weekly non-negotiables, including your workouts and lunch dates
At the beginning of the week (or the end of the week prior), look at the week ahead. This is when you plan the nitty-gritty details of your week. If you’ve ever complained that you don’t have time to generate leads or write notes to your clients, this is when you should build it into your schedule.
Time-block your week into 90-minute periods, and be sure to include wiggle room in your day to handle any challenges that arise. Time-blocking offers reassurance that you’ll have time to focus on the important tasks that drive your business, regardless of the “emergencies” that pop up.
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Daily: Do your priorities first
Pick one or two things you have to get done each day. But, what if every task on your list feels like the most important task on the list? Find your true priorities by asking: What is the return on investment of each item? Does it serve your clients?
If you want to get more done each day, planning is essential. Don’t get overwhelmed by the process — lean into your CRM to help you organize your business as well as your clients’ information. Get more out of your CRM while you optimize your business!
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Brian Buffini is the chairman and founder of Buffini & Company. You can follow Brian and Buffini & Company on Facebook.
