Real estate professionals understand the importance of support, but support comes in many forms. Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned agent, prioritizing yourself is key to your success. Often overlooked in the industry, mindfulness and self-care may seem like trendy buzzwords bounced around with no real purpose in any agents’ life, professional or otherwise. But focusing on your own well-being can help you better serve your clients, business and growth.

What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a practice that allows you to focus on the present moment, embodying a deeper sense of awareness. This technique has been shown to reduce stress, and decrease burnout. Mindfulness and self-care methods come in many forms, all centered around one thing: dedicating time to your well-being. They can be a powerful tool for agents looking for improved work-life balance, which in turn can support professional growth and development.

Mindfulness Matters
The “always on” lifestyle of a career in real estate can make it difficult to disconnect from work, especially in today’s hustle and grind culture. In a world with no off switch, being able to put your well-being first is one of the best ways to support balance and your career. Being stressed takes a toll on your productivity, and in a high pressure field like real estate, stress is a near guarantee for many.

Consider the oxygen mask analogy: you should put the mask on yourself first before assisting others. As an agent, it can feel necessary to put personal matters and relationships on the back burner and prioritize business needs. But the benefits to mindfulness and self-care are clear; studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can change your brain structure for the better and improve cognitive function in as little as two weeks. Implementing these practices into your business strategy is likely one of the simplest forms of professional development available.

The process of buying and selling is fraught with emotions of all kinds; it is, after all, a life-changing experience for clients. And the practice of mindfulness allows you to replenish your own emotional reserves so you can handle transactions with empathy and understanding. If you are focused on promoting mindfulness and self-care in your own life, you’ll be better equipped to help clients navigate the ups and downs of the market.

Reframing the Client Experience
Mindfulness may help you reframe the client experience, acknowledging and preparing clients for potential roadblocks ahead of time. Consider the following situations:

• A buyer is worried about lack of inventory and increased competition. By walking your client through the situations they’re likely to encounter, like multiple offer scenarios, and discussing strategies and approaches before issues arise, your client will be better prepared when hiccups do occur. The goal of mindfulness here is to help your clients understand these situations may happen, and if or when they do, they’ll know their options, and be better suited to approach issues with insight and clarity.
• While we all know that selling a home can be emotional for clients, being able to delicately relay information, like decluttering suggestions or home improvements to increase return on investment for clients, can feel like a personal critique rather than professional insight. Being upfront in an intentionally positive manner is beneficial for clients, and understanding that emotional responses from them are not an attack on your abilities as an agent are just two ways mindfulness supports the selling process.

If you’re searching for a new professional development resource, consider adding mindfulness or self-care practices to your list. It could be something as simple as getting back to nature with a walk or utilizing a meditation app to find some calm during a busy day, but these mindful moments can take you far. In partnership with the right brokerage support and professional development opportunities, mindfulness practices can set you on the path towards the business you want and deserve.