I know everyone’s sick of hearing about COVID times, but I consider it the most valuable time I’ve had in my career.
It’s training camp for the rest of my life.
We don’t know when it’s going to end. So I’m going to keep leaning into this time of training.
It’s a mindset switch. Instead of wishing that things were different, lean into the opportunity presented to you. Whether your market is experiencing a mass exodus or buyers are everywhere, I’m sharing seven tips to make this training camp impactful.
#1 Get Extra Sleep
We should all be still waking up extra early and investing in our morning routines. But right now, I’m going to bed early – not later than 8:30 pm. Take care of your health to make sure you have plenty of energy. With fewer distractions from the outside world, you have the chance to get more done each day – but that will only happen if you are healthy and well-rested
#2 Hire Interns
Interns are plentiful right now. Make sure you have a process for interviewing, onboarding, and training interns, and then make sure you are using interns to your advantage. Instead of menial tasks, get those long-standing projects that you’ve been talking about doing. Many college students are learning virtually this year, and they are looking for opportunities. If you are organized enough to have a plan for them, you will add value to their education while they help you get ahead.
#3 Be Mindful of Your Feedback
How you deliver feedback right now is ultra important. In say, pre-COVID times, you could just have people in your office and say, ‘Hey, you know you didn’t do this right? Let’s fix it.’ Before March, there was also a lot more personal and physical interaction, so that feedback might have been acceptable. But right now, it’s important to deliver feedback in a one-on-one environment with a full conversation. Take as long as needed for everyone to be on the same page.
#4 Overproduce Content
If you’re not doing more video than you ever have, if you’re not writing more blogs than you ever have, if you’re not creating more newsletters than you ever have, you are missing the boat. It doesn’t matter if your market is thriving or sinking, you need to overproduce content. This is the market share grabbing era. Those of us that are doing it, know how well it’s working.
#5 Make Every Dollar Count
If COVID has taught me anything, it’s been that I need to really make my money work for me. Even if you are making more money right now, you need to make those dollars last. Whether it’s 2021 or 2022, this economy will take a turn, so make every single dollar count for you. We should all be spending and investing in our business, but smartly and consciously.
#6 Work Every Day
I know some people disagree with me on this one, but I believe that there are no days off during this training camp. There’s not a lot else you can do right now, so why not work every day? It’s still important to fit in some leisure and relaxation – I enjoy spending a couple of hours at the golf course when I can. But even on those down days, you still need to get work done.
#7 Invest Time in Your Team
I talked before about team accountability groups, which are a great way to learn more about your team members’ personal and professional goals. Outside of that, invest time with agents either one-on-one or in small groups. If you’re comfortable gathering for meals, take a small group of your team out for dinner once a week. You can invest time through Zoom calls, of course, but if you’re comfortable getting together in person, that personal interaction is highly recommended to make those relationships stronger.
Above all, make this training camp work for you. Implement the tips that work for you and develop your own strategies for success.