Real estate is a game of patience. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying, selling, or investing, there are going to be plenty of painfully slow moments where you just want to yell, “Hurry up!”
For those of us working in real estate (especially real estate admins!), the need for patience increases tenfold. So what’s the secret to cultivating patience? How can you keep a cool head and thrive in this fast-paced, chaotic world?
Try a Different Perspective
When you’re placed in a situation that tests your patience, there’s no better remedy than an alternate view. For example, imagine that you’re in a challenging situation with your coworker. They’ve promised to take on some new responsibilities in the office, but they’re falling short on the job.
Ask yourself: “What could be preventing this person from completing their work on time?” Are they having problems at home? Or do they simply need help managing their workload? By putting yourself in the other person’s shoes, you can develop empathy and potentially even find a solution to your problem.
Check Your Expectations
Are your expectations fair and reasonable? When we set the bar too high, we can develop unwarranted resentment towards our clients and coworkers. (Overachievers, we’re looking at you!)
When setting a deadline, it’s important to remember that others may have different responsibilities and roadblocks that make it difficult for them to complete a task on your schedule. Take a deep breath and give people a little grace; you might be shocked by how great you feel when you let go of unreasonable expectations.
Meditation (It Actually Works!)
If we had a nickel for every time someone told us, “Have you tried meditating?”…
As overplayed as it might seem, meditation can really do wonders for anyone looking to cultivate a little patience. Contrary to popular belief, meditation isn’t about shutting off your mind (let’s be honest – that’s impossible). Instead, try viewing it as a tool to help you manage repetitive or unhelpful thoughts.
Let’s start small. When you’re feeling impatient, take five long, deep breaths. As you breathe, bring your awareness to your breath. How does it feel to be breathing, and how deep can you breathe? This simple trick can help you redirect your thoughts from the object of your impatience to the sensation of your breath. You’ll be meditating in no time!
Baby Steps
You might discover that your path to patience is slow – and that’s okay. Patience is something you can cultivate over time. As you become aware of opportunities to try flipping your perspective, checking your expectations, and meditating, you’ll start to recognize that life flows a little easier when you take pause.
Want to learn more about developing healthy relationships with your real estate team? Try REA 101, our online course for new and experienced real estate admin.