Real estate agents experience burn out much more frequently than individuals in most other industries.  They’re some of the most likely sufferers.  You’d think this would cause industry leaders to promote education and awareness.  Unfortunately the subject usually goes unacknowledged for whatever reason.  As a result, most of us realtors know very little about the disorder.  That is why this article will discuss those issues.  It will also cover how to avoid realtor burnout.

So for starters, what is real estate burn out?  It is a form of stress caused by an inability to handle the pressures of one’s career.  It usually begins when an individual’s expectations about their job don’t match their experience. When most realtors first start out, they have a unrealistic impression of their responsibilities.  They don’t understand that the job requires them to be on call 24 hours a day.  They don’t know how tough a commission based income can be.  And they don’t recognize the torment a fluctuating market can cause.  Between them all you’ve got yourself a recipe for a tremendous amount of pressure.  Very few people are capable of dealing with this degree of strain year in and year out.  That is, unless they institute some effective means of stress relief.

Next up, how do you know if you’re burned out from your real estate career? The symptoms of burnout include fatigue, boredom, apathy, frustration, and feelings of ineffectiveness.  While not fully understood, there does appear to be some correlation between burnout and depression.  Sufferers are also known to experience suicidal thoughts but acting on them is fairly rare.  Burnout is a serious malady that requires attention and vigilance.  This is especially true because the descent process is gradual.  Unlike most ailments, it occurs over weeks, months, sometimes even years.  The slow progression makes detection very difficult until the issue has become severe.  This means preventative measures are far more effective than treatments.

Finally, how do realtors avoid burnout?  The answer is surprisingly simple.  Take care of yourself.  Simple steps like instituting a healthy diet, exercise regimen,

and sleeping schedule can go a long way.  One should also try managing stress. Starting the morning with a relaxing ritual like meditation, or reading the paper.  Turning off your phone when you know you aren’t available.  Setting time aside for one of your hobbies or interests.  All of these are effective ways of relieving stress.  This is the key to having a long, satisfying career in real estate.