Time Management

By Joe Lins
December 26, 2025

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great opportunity for real estate agents to get some important work done. Things tend to slow down, inboxes are quieter, and there’s a little more breathing room in the schedule. I’m going to share three simple things you can do during this in-between week that will help set you up for success in the coming year while also creating a less cluttered, more focused start to January.

1. Reach out to your sphere of influence (SOI).
Call your SOI, yes, actually pick up the phone and call them. When they answer, keep it simple. Here are three easy questions to ask:

“How was your holiday?”
“What are your plans for New Year’s?”
“What are you most excited about for the coming year?”

After you ask the question, be quiet and listen. Really listen to what they’re saying and respond with thoughtful follow-up questions. Make the call about them, not you. The conversation may or may not turn to real estate, and that’s okay. This is simply a check-in call to see how they’re doing and where they’re at. These relationships matter, and staying connected without an agenda goes a long way.

2. Clean out your emails.
Use this quiet time to tackle some of the tedious work you avoid all year long. Go through your email and clean it out. If your inbox looks anything like mine, it’s probably bursting with junk. Somewhere along the way, you got added to countless email lists, and now your inbox is paying the price.

As you go through the process, unsubscribe from emails you never read or don’t need. Be sure to stay connected to emails from your brokerage, REALTOR® association, and Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This can take some time, so don’t feel like you have to do it all at once. Set aside an hour or so each day to click that “Delete” or “Unsubscribe” button. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter your inbox feels.

3. Commit to showing up.
A new year means a blank slate. Whether you use a paper planner or a digital calendar, pull it out and start marking important dates now. Add your office sales meetings and any regularly scheduled events that support your business and professional growth. Check your association’s calendar and plug in classes, networking events, and meetings you know you should attend, even if you don’t always feel like it.

Showing up consistently is one of the simplest ways to stay connected, informed, and top of mind. When these dates are already on your calendar, you’re far more likely to follow through. Treat these commitments like appointments with your future self and protect that time.

By putting these simple ideas into place, you will set the tone for the new year and hit the ground running.

About the author: Joe Lins is President, CEO and Co-owner of CENTURY 21 Discovery. If you are interested in becoming part of the CENTURY 21 Discovery team or would like more information about our services, training and coaching we provide, contact Joe at 714.626.2069.

By Joe Lins
June 21, 2025

Managing our time can be a challenge for just about everyone. In today’s world, constant distractions and interruptions are the norm. For real estate agents, many of whom are independent contractors, the challenge is even greater. We’re in charge of our own schedules, which means we decide when to start the day, what to focus on, and when to call it quits. That flexibility can be empowering, but it also requires a lot of discipline.

The good news? A few simple practices can make a big difference. When you start to manage your time with intention, you’ll find yourself getting more done and feeling less stressed in the process. Here are a few practical tips to help you take control of your time and make it work for you, not against you.

Calendar with pen and Century 21 water bottle

Use a Calendar

Whether you prefer a digital calendar or an old-school paper planner, the key is to actually use it every day. Schedule everything: workouts, lunch breaks, prospecting, transactions, client follow-ups, and even time for social media. Before you begin, take a moment to write out everything you do (or should be doing) in a typical day. Don’t forget to block off time for the unexpected because it always shows up.

To-Do Lists

Start each day with a prioritized to-do list that aligns with your calendar. Rank your tasks by importance and urgency. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can be a huge help here. It’s a system that President Eisenhower developed to help him prioritize the high-stakes issues he faced, and it works just as well for everyday life. Also, pay attention to your energy levels throughout the day. Save high-focus tasks for the time of day when you’re at your best.

Eliminate Distractions

This one’s tough, but it’s crucial. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb when you need to focus. Avoid aimlessly browsing the internet, and only check email at scheduled times unless you’re waiting on something time-sensitive for a transaction. Try to tackle one task at a time and find a workspace where you can minimize interruptions. It might not always be possible, but even setting boundaries with those around you can help. According to a study by UC Irvine, it takes an average of 8 to 25 minutes to get back on track after an interruption!

Organize Your Workspace

A cluttered desk leads to a cluttered mind. Having a clean and organized workspace also eliminates distractions. Take the time to clear out papers you don’t need by shredding or recycling them. Not sure if you should keep something? Scan it and store it in a labeled folder on your computer. Speaking of which, clean up your email inbox too. File or delete messages so only the essentials remain front and center. Label everything clearly so you’re not wasting time searching for things later.

Create Templates

For any task you repeat regularly, create a checklist or step-by-step template. Whether it’s onboarding a new client or prepping for a listing presentation, templates keep you consistent and save you the mental energy of figuring it out from scratch each time. Just make sure your files are stored in an easy-to-find place with labels that actually make sense to you.

Time management doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. The goal isn’t to schedule every second of your life but to create enough structure that your time supports your goals instead of slipping away unnoticed. Start with one or two of these tips and build from there. Small, intentional changes can have a big impact, both on your business and your peace of mind.