Life in Dubai: Balancing Work and Leisure as a Real Estate Professional

It can be easy to let work consume real estate professionals' lives in an industry that demands long hours, constant availability, and high-stress levels. Due to the unpredictable nature of the real estate market in Dubai, deals can fall through at the last minute, clients may demand immediate attention, and emergencies can arise at any time. Open houses, client meetings, and property viewings may occur outside traditional working hours. As a result, it can be difficult to establish a consistent routine or allocate time for personal activities. The constant pressure to be available and responsive can make it challenging to establish boundaries between work and personal life. Achieving a work-life balance in the real estate industry may be difficult. Nonetheless, it is not impossible. Below are some ways to achieve work-life balance amidst the demands of the real estate industry in Dubai.

Set Boundaries and Manage Time Effectively

Real estate agents are always available for their clients 24/7, but you can not devote the whole day to work. Neglecting everything, even if it is important, to handle a tough client can mess up your work-life balance. Allocate a time of day when you don't answer the phone unless there is an emergency. For example, when working out, having dinner, or going out with family. At the end of the day, family is more important. Share your phone number with important clients and coworkers who may need to get in touch with you immediately. For everyone else, make use of the answering service with a note that you will get back to them as soon as possible.

Time is money. You can make the most of each day by managing it effectively. Identify the daily tasks and keep track of how long it takes to complete each. If there are less important assignments that consume most of the time, like sending follow-up emails to previous clients or administrative work, delegate or outsource them to free up more time for personal activities. You can also consider hiring a virtual assistant for email management or call reception tasks. Eliminating the burnout of small things will help you focus on more important aspects of the job.

Take Out Time for Exercise/Hobbies

Real estate agents work in a highly competitive environment, so they need to engage in activities to release stress. Exercise is one of those activities that will allow you to get rid of stress and anxiety physically. You can allocate a time of the day specific to the gym to clear your head and keep the blood moving through your veins. Yoga also helps to relax your mind, eliminate stress, and keep you physically challenged. If you have hobbies like reading a book or watching your favourite show on Netflix, give your mind some time off to do what you love. An activity that gives you a break from real estate will help you regain focus when you return to work.

Recognise Signs of Burnout

Recognising the signs of burnout is necessary as they are directly linked to work-life balance. Doing so will help you make the necessary adjustments to balance your work and life. Some signs of burnout are:

• Struggling to do your job as well as before
• Feeling tired or worn out
• Being negative or not liking your work
• Feeling like you are not as interested in your job anymore

Other common symptoms are:

• Feeling sad or down
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having trouble focusing
• Not wanting to be around people
• Being easily annoyed or angry
• Not feeling motivated or excited
• Forgetting things or feeling confused
• Headaches or body aches

If you have some of these symptoms, the chances are you are experiencing burnout, and you must take immediate action to address the underlying cause of these issues. 

Adopt a Flexible Schedule

Real estate professionals don't have to follow a 9-5 routine. They are their boss and have the liberty to set their schedule. So, they don't have to check in or out, nor start or end their work by following strict timings. A survey revealed that 98% of real estate agents think that working in real estate offers them great flexibility. All you have to do is plan the day wisely. If working on commission has a drawback in that agents don't get a monthly fixed salary, it also has the advantage of working on a flexible schedule and an opportunity to earn more than a fixed salary. Adopting a flexible schedule will spare you more time with your friends and family, resulting in job satisfaction.

Be Gentle with Yourself

Real estate agents dedicate most of their time to clients and work long hours. Their success is measured by the number of sales they make in a month. Sometimes, they get frustrated if they fail to achieve their targets. The reality is that no one can always reach their goals. Setting high standards regarding your performance is good, but struggling to meet them will make you question your abilities, leading to stress. So, always give your best and accept that things will only sometimes go your way.

Conclusion

Having a good balance between work and your personal life might seem hard to achieve, but by making some effort to move in the right direction, you can improve your work and personal life in many ways. It will also improve overall well-being and productivity and help provide exceptional service to their clients. Striving for work-life balance benefits individuals and contributes to a more sustainable and fulfilling real estate industry as a whole.