Why Your Business Plan Should Address Burnout Prevention

As the year comes to an end, it’s a time to reflect on all you’ve accomplished and all you strive to achieve in the new year. This time of reflection may bring a mix of emotions, from gratitude to disappointment. But whatever feelings arise, remember that building a successful life and career takes time, consistency and, above all, strategy.

When you’re building your business strategy, it’s important to start at a high level and work your way down. If you’re not sure what to focus on first, simply start by setting your goals. Keep in mind that when you create a new goal, there’s an expectation of achieving it by a predetermined time. This time should be realistic to you and based on your past and current experience. What matters between the time you set the goal and the time you achieve it is the day-to-day activities that bring you closer to the finish line. These activities should be compiled in your yearly business plan, which will act as your guide on a daily, weekly and quarterly basis.

Creating a business plan is crucial to maintaining a level of accountability and consistency, understanding the baseline of your business and having a guide to track your growth. However, there’s one piece that’s often left out—and it could make or break your business: burnout prevention. Adding a burnout prevention plan to your yearly business plan can help create efficiency in your day while enabling you to rest and recharge.

The real estate profession has a high dropout rate, in part because of the pressure to work every day with no guarantee that the next paycheck is coming. Where you are emotionally on any given day can impact your business-building activities. It takes more mental, emotional, and physical strength to work on full commission than anyone ever really talks about. So, weaving in a strategy to manage stress will help keep you on track to reach your goals.

While most people stop and rest when their stress levels are rising, real estate pros typically double down on work to push through. Overworking and stretching yourself beyond your limits—yes, it’s ok to have limits!—is the fast track to burnout. The misconception is that chasing the next paycheck will eliminate the stress of not having one. While it may for a moment, each paycheck is fleeting. Staying the course of your business plan and completing even the activities you don’t want to do will ultimately create stability in your business.

Additionally, adding self-care to your business plan, with a focus on five specific areas, may help you function better. 

• Physical: This can include working out, disengaging with electronics a half hour before sleep or cutting down on caffeine and adding in more water.
• Lifestyle habits: Try a new creative outlet, use a planner to organize your goals, develop a daily routine or set boundaries for work-life balance.
• Spiritual connection: Prayer, meditation, mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be ways to help tune in to your spirituality.
• Social support: Spend time with friends and family, join a club or simply keep in better contact with the people in your life.
• Mental and emotional: Schedule 20 to 30 minutes of self-care time a day, whether that’s relaxing while listening to music or a podcast or something more active.

Making time for self-care not only prevents burnout but also helps you show up for your clients as your best and most present self. Eventually, you’ll notice how taking breaks in your day ultimately leads to more efficiency in your business, which will make you more likely to reach your goals. It’s important to note that while “burnout” is not a medical diagnosis, it most certainly can lead to one. Talk to your doctor and seek therapy when necessary. Let’s go into the new year with a renewed mindset of how to run a healthy and thriving real estate business in the fast-paced world we live in today.