The Real Estate Time Matrix

You’ll hear a lot of people say they don’t have enough time.

Not enough time for work.

Not enough time for family.

Not enough time for themselves.

The common theme being that a lack of access to more hours in the day is an insurmountable obstacle (excuse) that’s keeping you from achieving what you could otherwise achieve. Yet, these same people’s actions say they have all the time in the world.

You know that we all get the same 24 hours in a day and every successful person you’ve ever admired or aspired to be more like has this same 24 hours. The difference is they have systems in place that facilitate effective time management.

So, let’s talk about decision making and process systems like the Real Estate Time Matrix set you up to get more out of the time you do have.

The Real Estate Time Matrix

We created the Real Estate Time Matrix to help people first identify where they were spending their time so they can reorganize for better time and life management. Almost everything you do fits into one of the four categories.

Box 1. Real Estate Time Matrix

Not urgent - Not important

Low importance. Low urgency

Trivial & Wasteful

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE — Unintentional social media, watching television, nonsense media, gossiping, complaining, unfulfilling social obligations

ACTIONS TO TAKE: Limit, Delete, Remove

Box 1 is the most obvious, maybe too familiar and comforting to spur improvement or change.

BOX 2. Real Estate Time Matrix

Urgent -Not important

Low importance. High urgency

Interruptions & Busy Work

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE — Unprioritized checklists, low-importance calls and emails, other people’s “emergencies,” shallow relationships, unintentional meetings, “Hey, do you have a minute?” conversations

ACTIONS TO TAKE: Avoid, Create Boundaries, Minimize investment

Box 2 can subtly steal your dreams when you get caught up in being busy versus being effective.

Box 3. Real Estate Time Matrix

Urgent - Important in the short term

Medium importance. High urgency

Crises & Pressing Problems

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE — Deadlines, legitimate crises and emergencies, pending contract fires, showing homes, listing appointments, last-minute preparations, closings

ACTIONS TO TAKE: Manage, Delegate, Create Systems

Box 3 is where most agents live 80% of the time. Engaging in important activities but spending so much time in this box quickly leads to burn out, resentment, and unfilled dreams.

Box 4. Real Estate Time Matrix

Not urgent yet Critical - Important in the long term

High importance. Low urgency

Planning, Strategies & Your “MUST”

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE — Lead generation, lead follow-up, team meetings, coaching appointments, planning, problem prevention, self-development, self-care, relationship care and building

ACTIONS TO TAKE: Focus, Create Urgency, Schedule

Box 4 is where high achievers choose to spend time. Working on the activities that are absolutely critical yet often pushed to the back burner in the name of right now issues.

High Achievers Live Here!

This is where you want to live. In Box 4 tackling activities that directly contribute to you reaching your goals. As high achievers, we need to make a conscious and activity driven decision to spend time here. Carve out time to plan, prepare, and take critical actions.

Using the matrix, to identify what you are doing and what needs to change, you’ll find you have more of your most precious resource: TIME. This is time you can use to visit the other three boxes to devote energy to more of what you want and what makes you happy.