We’re going deep into the heart of August now, often the quietest month for an aspiring Broker just a year, or three, into the game. One whose book of business has not yet spread evenly across all 52 weeks of the year…
At 2 files per week though, time away feels next to impossible due to endless overlapping closing dates and related client demands.
Although in the early years time away feels next to impossible due to endless overlapping (bill) due dates and related financial demands.
Don’t doubt that your Augusts will start to blend into every other month of the year, it’ll happen slowly but surely (same with February); early (past client) renewals in year 5, refinances with delayed closings despite the best intentions, unique purchases (Dec 20 offer, Dec 24 S.R. – closing Dec 31 #truestorybro) will collectively conspire to put you in a place you think you want to be… IE closing 2 or more files per week year-round.
Be careful what you wish for…
There are three times of the year to embrace the quiet, to protect it in fact. To build lasting walls of fortitude against closing dates during, or the week after, these dates.
The dates are;
- The last two weeks of August.
Just be gone, along with everyone else, to a patch of sand or grass in the sun with a good book, friends, family and perhaps a splash of water too cool off nearby. You’ll never regret protecting these two precious summer weeks.
The #1 way to protect them?
No closings in the first week of September.
- Dec 24-Jan 2
Religion has nothing to go with it. For most of CDN’s there’re 3 stat-holidays inside those ten days, often 4 weekend days as well. Leaving 3, maybe 4, actual ‘work’ days; to do what?
Very little given nearly every Realtor, Appraiser, Underwriter, Lawyer, etc will have embraced this 10 days themselves.
The #1 way to protect them?
No closings in the first week of January.
- Spring Break
No kids?
Grown kids?
So what.
It’s a fact that a massive chunk of people take off (literally) to escape winter (not so much a reality for people in Western BC). And the entire industry slows down mid March for a good two weeks, preparing for launch into the standard Q2 peak-frenzy.
The #1 way to protect them? No closings in the final week of March.
Action
Block these 3 key periods in your calendar now and plan to be away.
Take steps 3-4 weeks ahead of the dates and learn to say no, to refer, to gently nudge low pressure closing dates in the right direction.
Plan accordingly.
Be ruthless (with your time).
One critical key to success; avoiding closing dates during the first week after these dates,
Having files closing while away is mildly stressful, but manageable. Having files closing the day or two after your attempt at 10 days ‘unplugged’… good luck with that, expect #maximumstress during your ‘vacation’.
You can have 6 weeks vacation with the above plan.
If you want it, if you plan for it, if you take action in advance.
Done for this August?
Congrats, I hope it goes smooth.
Failed again?
How many years is that now?
Who controls your vacation?
Who controls your work flow?
Not clients, not referral partners, not your managing Broker.
You.
You do.
You control what happens with your time.
Act accordingly.
DW❤