Hecticness, deadlines, time pressure – in today’s working world it is important to maintain the right work life balance in order to remain physically and mentally fit. This also applies to the job of real estate agent: Flexible work hours and working self-reliantly are more pronounced in this profession than in many others, which is why a healthy work life balance is especially important. We asked the Engel & Völkers real estate agents Veronica Muresan from Barcelona, Alessandro Viano from Alassio and Alexander Spirer from Neuss how they achieve work life balance:
How our real estate agents maintain their work life balance
Today’s working world requires you to be available nearly all the time. In view of this, how do you achieve a healthy work life balance?
Veronica Muresan, real estate agent at Engel & Völkers Barcelona:
Working as a real estate agent has its benefits, biggest of all being that you´re in charge of your own time. But, in the same time, it's a non-stop job. What I do to separate my work from my personal life, is having two mobile phones (one only for work and one for my personal life) and limit my work schedule to 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and infrequently on weekends. That separates the time I use for work and the time I have for myself.
Alessandro Viano, licence partner and real estate agent at Engel & Völkers Alassio:
My work is my passion. That is why my work and personal life overlap time and again. The incredible development of social media allows us to be permanently connected with the outside world in this day and age. We can take our clientele along to a viewing and share the enthusiasm we feel upon sale or contract conclusion. This helps us to feel connected, but sometimes we focus so much on sharing our experiences that we don’t take the time to just enjoy the moment. I think it’s important to also appreciate the moment and take time for ourselves.
Alexander Spirer, real estate agent at Engel & Völkers Neuss:
Well, my family and friends respect my job very much. They know that for my clients I have to be available at any time. I appreciate my family’s understanding in this subject matter a lot. However, for me it is crucial to be as well organized as possible. Personally, it’s important to me to be happy with my job and everything that has to do with it. I consider my job as a passionate „leisure time activity“ rather than just a „job“.
In which situations would you decide not to answer your smartphone?
Veronica Muresan, Engel & Völkers Barcelona:
As I said, on weekends I usually let my work phone aside and I enjoy time with my family. And that also happens when I’m on vacation. But I am still always available, no matter where I am. Another case where I would probably also let my phone aside is in case of family emergencies or events.
Alessandro Viano, Engel & Völkers Alassio:
Phones have become part of our daily routine, and we cannot do without them anymore. If we forget to bring them along from time to time, we feel completely lost. This applies even more to real estate agents, as phones are the most direct method of staying in touch with our contacts. It’s not easy for me not to answer a call. This is because my client relationships are built on trust and transparency, which is why I always feel that I would be letting them down if I don’t respond to a call or message. But sometimes this is necessary, because, as I said, it’s important to focus on the moment. This happens, for example, during the first briefing of the day or when enjoying an aperitif after work with my colleagues.
Alexander Spirer, Engel & Völkers Neuss:
At this point in my life, I don‘t have started my own family yet. That makes it a lot easier for me to deal with several issues besides my core business as a real estate agent. Being up to date in all matters of social media requires time, input and extra activities. Being involved with Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook etc. is part of my self-marketing strategy. Unfortunately, it consumes a lot of my free time, or as I call it „after work time“. In order to answer this question shortly, one could say that the only inactive time on the phone is when I am surrounded by my family or during my time of studies.
How do you relax after an eventful day at work?
Veronica Muresan, Engel & Völkers Barcelona:
I live in Barcelona and this is already a pretty good stress relief in itself. If I have a hard day, I can either relax on the couch with a good book or movie and a hot cocoa or a glass of red wine (depending on the stress level) or I can get a massage.
I am also a foodie, so having a good dinner is kind of a full time hobby.
Alessandro Viano, Engel & Völkers Alassio:
In spite of what many people may think, our work does not simply consist of property viewings and accompanying clients: Much time is also spent on long phone calls and exhausting, stressful negotiations that require you to sit around a table for hours on end. My main counterbalance is probably sport. I like to take long walks or a stroll on the beach. During the week, I also play tennis, a sport that I have only recently discovered for myself. For me, this is a form of recreational therapy that allows me to recharge my batteries and excel at my work.
Alexander Spirer, Engel & Völkers Neuss:
I go to the gym every day without exception. To obtain my best level of relaxation, I prefer to go out for dinner with family and friends or to play tennis on a regular basis.