Master Your Time: The 168-Hour Week Strategy for Realtors

As a real estate professional, it often feels like there are never enough hours in the week. The demands of showings, client meetings, and networking events can make it difficult to find balance. But what if I told you that mastering the 168-hour week could be the key to enhanced success and a more fulfilling lifestyle? Welcome to the 168-Hour Week Strategy for Realtors—a strategic approach to reclaiming control over your schedule, aligning with your priorities, and achieving sustained growth in your career.

168-Hour Week Strategy for Realtors

Every week gives you 168 hours. To optimize how you use them, you first need to subtract the essentials—sleep, workouts, and personal time—to reveal the true amount of time left for work and personal development. Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Minus Your Sleeping Hours

Quality sleep is non-negotiable if you want to be at your best. Ideally, you should get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Let’s assume 8 hours per night for optimal energy and mental sharpness:

8 hours/night x 7 nights = 56 hours of sleep per week

168 hours - 56 hours = 112 hours left

2. Minus Your Workout Time

Physical fitness is essential for real estate professionals to maintain energy and resilience. Allocating 5-10 hours per week to exercise can help keep you physically and mentally fit. Let’s set aside 7 hours (1 hour per day) for a balanced fitness routine:

7 hours per week for workouts

112 hours - 7 hours = 105 hours left

3. Minus Your Personal Time

Personal time is just as important as work time. Whether it’s spending time with family, engaging in hobbies, or socializing with friends, dedicating time for yourself helps prevent burnout and enhances overall well-being. Let’s allocate 20-30 hours per week for personal time; we’ll use 25 hours for this example:

25 hours per week for personal time

105 hours - 25 hours = 80 hours left

What’s Left: Your Dedicated Work and Development Hours

After accounting for sleep, fitness, and personal time, you have approximately 80 hours left each week. This is the time you’ll strategically allocate to the following core activities:

4. High-Value Work Activities (50-60 Hours)

Allocate 50-60 hours per week for essential real estate tasks. This includes:

Prospecting and Lead Generation: The lifeblood of your business, which should be scheduled consistently.
Client Meetings and Showings: High-touch activities that drive transactions and build client relationships.
Marketing and Administration: Promoting listings, managing your online presence, and handling paperwork.

Tip: Use time-blocking to dedicate uninterrupted periods to each task, ensuring focus and efficiency.

5. Networking and Client Relationships (10-15 Hours)

Spend 10-15 hours a week on activities that build and maintain your network:

Attending Industry Events: Conferences, workshops, and meet-ups.
Client Follow-Ups: Personalized check-ins that foster client trust and boost referrals.
Building Partnerships: Connecting with other industry professionals like mortgage brokers and home inspectors.

Tip: Integrate networking into your schedule by attending key events or scheduling consistent check-ins with clients and partners.

6. Personal Development and Continuous Learning (10-15 Hours)

Invest 10-15 hours a week in activities that improve your skills and keep you ahead of industry trends:

Real Estate Courses and Webinars: Gain new certifications or enhance your market knowledge.
Market Research: Stay informed about local and national real estate trends.
Coaching and Mentorship: Engage with mentors to gain insights and strategies.

Tip: Choose learning activities that align with your career goals and schedule them during quieter work periods.

The Benefits of Prioritizing Your Hours

By structuring your week around essential pillars, you can ensure that you’re dedicating time to what matters most while still nurturing your personal well-being. Here’s how this strategy benefits you:

Balanced Work-Life Integration: Your work time is productive and focused, leaving room for personal growth and relaxation.
Consistent Growth: Allocating time for learning and networking helps you stay ahead in the competitive real estate landscape.
Sustained Energy: Prioritizing sleep, exercise, and personal time helps you maintain energy and prevent burnout.

How to Get Started

Take Inventory: Track your current week to see where your time is going.
Subtract Essentials: Deduct your sleep, fitness, and personal time from the total 168 hours.
Plan Work and Development: Allocate the remaining hours to high-value work, networking, and continuous learning.
Adjust and Optimize: Regularly review your schedule to make improvements and ensure it aligns with your evolving priorities.

Final Thoughts

The 168-Hour Week Strategy is more than a time management plan—it’s a blueprint for balanced living. By starting with essential activities like sleep and personal time, you ensure that your health and well-being are prioritized. What’s left is time you can invest in building a thriving real estate career. Embrace this strategy, and you’ll find yourself more productive, less stressed, and more in control of your life.