Five Tips for Thriving as an Introverted Agent
Did you know that many of the top agents and leaders in real estate are actually introverts? I’ve been working with introverted agents since 2018, and there are still many misconceptions about introversion out there. People assume introverts are anti-social, shy, or simply not suited for a people-business like real estate. Of course, that’s just not true.
Introverts process information internally and need alone time to recharge—these are the main differences between introverts and extroverts. If you’re an introverted agent, I want to assure you that you can be wildly successful in real estate without changing who you are! While I could write an entire book on this topic (actually, I did), here are my five tips for thriving as an introverted agent:
1. Understand and manage your energy
Think of energy as a finite resource, similar to time and money. You’ll need to understand which activities take your energy and which recharge your energy, then bring awareness to how and where you’re spending your energy. The goal is to get the highest return without burning out. An easy exercise to unlocking your understanding is going through your calendar and asking yourself if each task, activity, or conversion drained or recharged your energy. Start building that awareness.
2. Structure your calendar strategically
Take your awareness and use it to structure your calendar strategically, to maximize your energy. If you know certain activities are going to require a higher output of energy, plan for them. Build up your energy reserves before the activity.
Example: Schedule a break for yourself before listing appointments.
3. Choose lead gen activities you enjoy
With so many possible lead generation methods available, why not focus on the ones that seem doable, even fun? Many agents struggle and force themselves into doing lead gen that’s not even close to their comfort zone. Then, they don’t see results and think they’ve failed. Instead, thoughtfully consider what types of lead gen you’d actually enjoy. This will mean you’re more likely to do it consistently, see results, and be motivated to keep at it. Oh, and you won’t hate your workdays—winning!
Examples: If TCPA-compliant phone calls aren’t your thing, try hosting client events. If hosting in-person events terrifies you, try starting a YouTube channel from the comfort of your home.
4. Set and maintain boundaries
This is a big one, and it’s easier said than done. It’s critical to determine your boundaries in both life and your real estate business, so protect those boundaries. Neglecting them is where agents struggle with burning out most often. It may seem counterintuitive, but clients will respect you more and see you as a professional when you set boundaries.
Example: Set up an autoresponder on your email that replies to emails after hours and sets the expectation that you’ll reply the next day.
5. Confidently lean into your natural strengths
We all have different personalities and different strengths. Shifting your mindset from “I have to change my personality to be like my colleagues in the office” to “I have to lean into my unique strengths to better serve the clients who are meant for me” is one way to immediately boost your confidence. I know because I’ve seen it and experienced it myself. Not every buyer or seller wants to hire the loudest person in the room. That’s a good thing because it means there’s enough business for all of us. Go find your people.
OK, you got me. Most of these tips are not exclusively for my fellow introverts, but I hope you found them helpful. Please share this blog post with others in the industry if you did. The more we lift each other up, the better we all will be.
Contributor, Ashley Harwood
Ashley Harwood has been a KW real estate agent since 2013 and runs a six-figure solo agent business. She is a national speaker, sought-after sales trainer, author of Move Over Extroverts: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Career as an Introvert, and contributing writer for HousingWire. Ashley was also named one of The Top Real Estate Coaches by The Close and INMAN and was a contributor in Rookie Real Estate Agent: Launch a Limitless Career that Lasts, which you can pre-order now.