Building your referrals business starts with priming the pump and finding ways to build relationships. As you reach out to people, though, stay mindful of protecting your own boundaries.
That sounds like I'm telling you to be a cuddly porcupine, doesn't it? But while you're building trust and relationships, it can be easy to give so much, or be so willing to help, that you end up doing things that are not right for you. Part of building a successful business is knowing and playing to your own particular strengths.
Everyone has a niche – that place where you function best, where your interests coincide with work that brings fulfillment and reward. Maybe you're terrific with buyers and love helping them find just the right home. Listing isn't your thing, though you can do it, of course. Great! Recognize where your strength is and use it in your business. Start networking with agents who don't like to work with buyers and build mutual referral relationships that benefit you, the other agent, and especially the clients.
That's what I mean by creating a boundary. You could take those listings, but you wouldn't enjoy the work as much. You might not even do the best for those clients. And you likely would find yourself resenting the time spent doing something you don't enjoy. But if you know where your boundaries are and build your business in your own "sweet spot," you'll have business that you enjoy more and do better.
You also need boundaries around your time. We naturally want to help others and sometimes find it hard to say "No." We allow ourselves to be interrupted by phone calls or those "Do you have a minute?" requests that turn into hours. People expect to leave messages these days, so let voice mail do its job. For in-person interruptions, practice saying, "Actually, I'm in the middle of something right now. Can we schedule some time later?" Obviously, you take important calls and respond when there really is a need for immediate action.
The other boundary you need to stake out is private time to keep yourself healthy and able to do your best. Most people can run at high speed and maximum intensity for a short time. But if we try to keep up an extreme pace, without the right amount of rest and refueling, most of us will lose our edge, make bad decisions, even become ill. We should take a lesson from the cheetah. Earth's fastest land animals can sprint up to 70 miles per hour, but only for a short distance. Then they stop, rest, feed, and sleep. You deserve to take care of yourself as well so that you feel good and have the energy for your sprint.
Boundaries benefit you, your family, and your clients. My boundaries help me stay in joy, and keep me from feeling – and being – cantankerous. And that's good for everyone around me!
Coach Patti
Patti Kouri, Accelerated Performance Coaching
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I agree -- it is easy to get caught up in ALL aspects of transactions and activities -- I've found that out in the last week. ~ Evelyn
I don't think it is in bad taste to tell someone that you need to get back with them when you have time to give them the total attention their call deserves.
Thanks coach, life is too short to work on things you don't like to do. But I also believe you have to do thibgs you don't want to do or hate sometimes, like ones weaknesses to stur things up and bam get out there!
Thank you everyone for stopping by to view and comment.
Hi Randall,
Referring to your comment, I agree it is not bad taste to tell someone you'll get back to them. I think having a boundary of being on do not disturb and not reacting to the phone either at certain times in the day allows you the space to complete your circles without being distracted. Once we pick up the phone and tend to one dilemma, we are hard pressed to get back on our own track. This way when we do call them back we are totally prepared.
Amen sister!