Running on Fumes? How to Avoid Crashing

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere—and another agent is just now eating their first proper meal of the day.

You might be running on caffeine all day—as busy real estate pros are wont to do—but eventually, you may notice a feeling of your body suddenly crashing. So, to fight that feeling, you might make a fast-food stop or grab the nearest piece of chocolate. That quick fix may give you a short burst of energy, but before you know it, you’ll feel the crash come along again. Notice a pattern here? You’re never satisfied for long.

The all-too-familiar cycle of “running on fumes” is partially due to the unpredictable schedules that come with working as an independent contractor. However, just as consistency is key in building a real estate business, the same goes for building supportive lifestyle habits. Time-blocking your schedule is not just for the benefit of staying on top of your business-building tasks but also to remind yourself to take a break, eat a meal, work out or spend time with loved ones. Having consistency in your schedule helps you recognize hunger cues because your body is used to eating around a certain time of day.

Proper nutrition is fundamental to your energy levels which, in turn, has a direct effect on how your business continues to operate. If your energy levels are down, you will likely find your business operating at a slower pace. If your energy levels are up, you may feel more productive during the day. So, while you may be trying to fit 24 hours’ worth of work into an eight- to 12-hour workday, you have to find a way to properly support your body to maintain a healthy level of energy.

Have you ever stopped to think about how your body is processing what you are or aren’t putting into it? Every bite you take—or lack thereof—can either energize or drain you. Being more mindful about the nutrition choices you make during the day is a way to ensure that your business continues to thrive. Here are some dos and don’ts to power up your mind, body and business with nutrition.

DO

1. Focus on hydration.
2. Prepare ahead of time so you can eat when you feel hungry.
3. Schedule meetings over a meal.
4. Focus on real foods. Limit or eliminate processed foods.
5. Consult with doctors or nutrition experts.

DON’T

1. Wait all day to eat. (If you’re doing an intermittent fasting schedule, discuss this with your doctor.)
2. Drink only soft drinks or coffee.
3. Eat processed or junk food all day.
4. Ignore hunger cues.
5. Avoid nutrition discussions with your doctor.

Practicing proper nutrition not only gives your body the energy it needs to move about your day but also helps you show up as your best self with clients. No one wants to deal with a “hangry” agent at the highly anticipated showing for the house of their dreams. When you treat your body with the care it deserves, it reflects in your mood and interactions with others. It helps you to be more present and aware of the contract you’re filling out or the comps you’re trying to run, for example. It allows you to continue building the business you want, while being the best version of yourself.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to nutrition. Each one of us has different needs for our bodies. This means that what one person eats every day for lunch may be different from another. Consult with your doctor or a dietitian to get proper guidance on what foods might work best for your body. And above all, listen to your body; no one knows it better than you.