April is the heart of spring, the time of rebirth and growth – and wow, could we all use it!

For many, 2020 was one of the most challenging years of their lives. Personally and professionally, people all over the world have been under pressure in ways that would have been impossible to imagine just 12 short months ago.

In the midst of all that chaos and uncertainty, real estate also changed in countless ways. Some of these changes represented trends that were already in motion, but several of them were brand-new adaptations that forced us all to expect the unexpected.

It is impossible to know just how much of the working world we left behind in early 2020 has changed forever. And while there may be more challenges ahead this year, it is finally possible to look toward the future with optimism, if not relief, and start thinking about what comes next.

Now is the time to check in with yourself and your business as you prepare to take the next step forward.

Real Estate Agents Should Embrace a Growth Mindset in 2021

Do you feel like 2020 was lost time? Even if you spent most of the year treading water, now is your best chance to return to a growth-oriented mindset. That starts with an internal locus of control – the belief that you have the greatest influence over what happens in your life, no matter what external circumstances arise.

Over the long term, the most successful real estate professionals have an internal locus of control or develop one fast. They are always looking for opportunities to do and achieve more.

In 2020, serious health concerns and essential restrictions on travel slowed down even the most diligent among us. But now, as the leaves spring from the trees, it's time for the next era of growth in the real estate industry to make itself known. Using the lessons you've learned, you can redefine 2021 as a year of new opportunities.

Ask yourself:

• What goals did you put on hold in 2020 that are still relevant to you in 2021?
• What skills, talents, connections, and abilities make you different from others?
• What new resources, tools, or knowledge would help you truly excel in 2021?
• If you could be known for one thing professionally in 2021, what would it be?

Everyone will have different answers to these questions, but they are valuable starting points for thinking meaningfully about the direction you want to take this year. Forethought and planning can make all the difference between building a real estate practice versus just having another nine-to-five job.

Yes, life happens, and plans adapt. But by strategizing now, you have an internal GPS to keep you on track later.

Ten Ways to Power Your Business and Unlock Opportunities for Growth in 2021

Success in anything starts with getting the fundamentals right. For example, real estate agents all over the country can think back to setting up their own home office, whether it was decades past or just a few months ago. Being comfortable in your own space is key to building a strong work foundation.

Once the basics are in order, it's important to review them once in a while and make sure they're still apt. Virtually no top-producing real estate agent is still using Post-Its to track deals in the age of CRM!

When you're pleased with your workflows, the next step is discovering what you can do differently or better to stand out in your local market. The savviest and most successful agents renew their ability to grow by performing this cycle again and again: Expanding the value they add, then optimizing their day-to-day delivery. 

Here are ten suggestions to balance both sides and achieve sustainable growth:

1. Connect with Your Network the Safe Way
   Agents often love face-to-face communication. But have you kept up with your circle in the new world of Zoom? From prospective clients to friends and family, everyone in the community may eventually need an expert like you. Take time to check-in and deepen relationships, even if a transaction is nowhere in sight.
2. Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera
   One unintended consequence of video-conferencing: Hours spent facing your own digital reflection. While this has been off-putting for some, real estate pros should embrace it. Video marketing is an essential piece of the outreach puzzle, and virtual tours are here to stay. Get used to working both behind and in front of a camera.
3. Commit (or Return) to Email Marketing
   Email marketing is a powerful way to nurture long-term relationships. Over the weeks or months it may take a contact to jump into the market, you'll be there providing helpful and informative content. If you haven't done so lately, make an effort to update your subscribers once a week. This keeps you "top of mind," no matter what else is going on in their lives.
4. Find One Social Platform That's Right for You
   Each social media platform has its uses in real estate. Try to use them all, though, and it can siphon away hours a day. Plus, it often won't deliver the results of a deep dive. Pick one social media platform this year and stick with it. Instagram is popular for lavish real estate photography, while LinkedIn offers ways to find luxury buyers.
5. Demonstrate Your Expertise with Blogs
   Brokers and agents who remain consistent with their marketing will find it easier to benefit as the economy rebounds. One key habit to get into is blogging. Blogging delivers concrete evidence of your expertise that can be useful to readers at any stage of their real estate journey. It also raises your search engine visibility.
6. Befriend Your CRM Suite
   Customer Relationship Management is software for securing top-level visibility over all your contacts. You will know precisely who you know, how you met, and where each person stands in a transaction. This can save you many hours of data input and makes it easier to pinpoint the best times to follow up.
7. Use Automation Whenever Possible
   Automation is expanding in real estate marketing. For example, your CRM can let you know if a contact's recent activity warrants a personal message. Automation is most prevalent in email marketing, where it accelerates and streamlines communication with thousands of subscribers – all without sacrificing the human touch.
8. Make Time for Mentorship
   Finding the right mentor can support your growth by giving you opportunities to "reality check" the possible solutions to your business challenges. You will also spend less time reinventing the wheel and more time moving forward. On the flip side, mentoring others helps you share and sharpen your skills.
9. Upgrade Your Workspace
   Is your workspace ergonomic? Just as many of your customers might be looking for new homes incorporating work-friendly features, you should double-check your own comfort level. Do you have sufficient lighting? A good desk? A comfortable chair? Look for ways to improve convenience in your space by 5%. Those changes can add up!
10. Seek the Right Work-Life Balance for You
    An internal locus of control can give you the drive to improve every day. However, that won't look the same for everyone. There are only so many 12-hour days you can absorb before performance suffers. Learn where your best work comes from, save time with automation, and set boundaries with clients to keep work-life balance healthy.