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I get it. It’s been an incredibly crazy year. And the wind-up has already begun as we begin to eye the finish line that’s so tantalisingly close.
After a busy year in real estate, everyone deserves a well-earned break, and there’s nothing better than embracing some downtime to come back fully recharged.
However, often I find that many return in the new year feeling a little sluggish, having lost some of the momentum that propelled them through the year prior.
Worse still, some might return unprepared for an energised comeback and instead spend January playing a game of catch-up.
During the break, some even carry with them feelings of guilt or don’t fully relax, thinking of “all the things they have to do” when they get back.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
One way to avoid this scenario and enjoy the welcome break even more is to make sure you preframe your back-to-work strategy so you come back re-energised and ready to go.
Here are the top tips to start 2022 on the right foot and come back firing on all cylinders.
Take the time to review
Before you end 2021, take the time to review your accomplishments this year. Chances are there were some major milestones you attained that are worth remembering and taking pride in.
Think about the GCI you wrote this year and consider what elements contributed to this, whether it was your plan, your prospecting, your follow-up or your marketing strategy, or a combination of factors.
Have your business plan in place
One great way of kicking off the new year in the right headspace is to plan your year in advance.
Take the time to review your business plan and refresh it for 2022, factoring in your future goals.
Then work out the strategies you need to put in place to achieve those plans and incorporate them into your plan.
Clean before you go
Before you walk out of the office to enjoy a welcome break, take the time to tidy your workspace.
This mini-clean draws a line in the sand under the previous year and allows you to come back to an uncluttered, uncomplicated work environment, so you can start fresh.
Schedule your January prospecting activities
To avoid time wasted when you return to work in 2022, schedule your January prospecting activities now, including printed materials, social media posts, and your call lists.
If you’re too pushed for time prior to the break, at the very least, list these activities in your January planner so you know exactly what to do on day 1 and can hit the ground running.
Communicate with clients
Before you head off, reach out to your current and imminent clients with clear communication, letting them know what’s happening in the break, what they can expect and when you will contact them again.
Book your new year appointments now and ensure they are locked into your calendar.
Have a return-to-work date
On that note, have a clear return to work date. This assists both you and your clients.
Setting a firm date enables you to relax until then and allows your clients to understand when they can expect to hear from you and see activity in the new year.
Change your voicemail and set automatic email responses
To enjoy a well-earned break, you need to switch off. Before you head on leave, change your voicemail to indicate you are away and when you will be back.
Also, set up automatic email responses to ensure clients receive communication instantly, notifying them that you are out of the office but will return on a specific date.
It takes planning
The above are just a few ideas to ensure you start 2022 in the right mindset and with the right momentum to build on the previous year’s work.
Each of these strategies also helps you draw a line in the sand beneath the year that was, so you can switch off and really enjoy a much-needed rest.
It just takes a little planning and forethought to enjoy a well-deserved break and one that’s free from guilt or distraction.
Most importantly, you can enjoy this downtime in the knowledge that in a few weeks’ time, you will be ready to start 2022 with all cylinders firing.
Manos Findikakis is the chief executive and co-founder of the Eview Group.
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