​It’s no secret that to become a high-performing agent, you must be willing to put in constant work and always hustle for that next lead. It can be rewarding – but also exhausting. More than 4 in 10 Canadians report feeling burnt out at their jobs, and the National Association of Realtors estimates that 80 per cent of real estate agents may experience burnout at some point in their careers, with high-performing agents being the highest risk. 

Fight back against burnout and hustle culture

So many resources aimed at high-performing agents encourage the never-ending hustle and putting in long hours to find success. Real estate requires self-motivation, but burnout doesn’t have to be the price of success. Here are some tips, according to the National Association of Realtors:

• • Plan a schedule and stick to it: An agent could work around the clock if they wanted to, but that’s a fast way to lose control of your life. Plan working hours and a schedule and then make sure to stick to them – this ensures time to properly decompress.
  • Utilize tools to stay organized: If you’ve got leads you need to follow up on and hundreds of calls to make, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Identify which tools aimed at agents (and there are hundreds!) actually help you take control over your tasks and lay them out in the most manageable way possible. 
  • Learn to set limits: It seems almost impossible that there might be a time when you have to turn down a lead, but you might find yourself already juggling the clients you have. Sometimes, the best thing to do for yourself and a potential new client is to learn when to refer them to a trusted colleague. 
  • Know how to ask for help: Real estate can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, reach out to your broker or another agent in your office. You might be surprised to learn how common burnout is and see what management tactics have worked for others.

How Brokers can help their agents

If a good broker wants to retain their top performers, looking out for their mental health will keep them in the business longer and strengthen the broker-agent relationship. Alongside tools and tech, personal support will ensure your high-level agents feel heard and taken care of, and it will only help their output if they’re managing their work/life balance.

So what can a broker do to catch the signs of burnout early? 

• Schedule one-on-one check-ins: Brokers are busy, but even ten minutes to check in and offer friendly advice could help a struggling agent open up
• Encourage set time in-office: Most agents keep their own schedule, but planning some time to gather everyone for an office meeting is a great way to keep agents connected to a larger support network of their peers. 
• Educate agents on recognizing the signs of burnout: Have ongoing conversations with new and veteran agents on how to recognize the signs of burnout, and how a healthy work/life balance is the superior option over the hustle culture of the real estate industry.

The team at CENTURY 21 Canada prides itself on providing their brokers with personal support, and they encourage the same in franchise offices. Todd Shyiak, CENTURY 21 Canada’s executive vice president has seen first-hand how much difference an involved broker can make in an agent’s career. 

“The best retention tool in a broker’s pocket is the relationship they build with their agents. If a good broker can build a bond that allows them to open up when things get difficult, they’ll find those agents appreciate that level of care and concern, and they’re willing to stay with that brokerage through thick and thin because they know that’s where they’re cared for.”

Being successful in real estate isn’t an easy road, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. When you hit those bumps in the road and the pressure mounts, just knowing what’s happening is half the battle to getting back on your feet. The other half is asking for help – just because you feel alone, doesn’t mean you are.