HOW TO CUT

How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions and Up Your Productivity

As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any. Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority. That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

IRMA CAPAS

An infomercial about the real estate industry inspired Irma Capas to take a chance and change her career. She is now licensed as a real estate agent and has been working in the business for 13 years. Her only regret is that she did not change careers and pursue real estate earlier. Irma has built a successful team of six people who serve clients from Sacramento to Fresno and the East Bay, and she has also built a large network of clients who she has helped over the years.

Irma believes that she and her team keep people coming back to them because they help clients feel comfortable and supported. They make sure to create personal connections with the clients and to guide them through any type of issue. Irma also shares, “Everybody that comes in contact with me, they feel my magic. I respect everybody and everybody feels warm and fuzzy with me.” Irma understands that the people who come to her are experiencing emotional transitions in their lives, so she wants to eliminate the stress and take care of them throughout the process. Her positive and empathetic personality allows her to serve every client as best she can.

Irma’s clients can see the energy and effort she puts into every situation. As one former client shared, “Irma was very helpful answering all questions we asked and took us step by step on selling our first home. Communication is key and she was right there every step of the way. We highly recommend her services to anyone.”

Since beginning her career in real estate, Irma shares, “I have been able to give a lot more and it is just so gratifying in the end.” Irma volunteers at her church through teaching classes, and she believes it is important to give what you can to help people dealing with tragedies, no matter where these tragedies are occurring. Once a year, her office identifies an organization in need, whether it be a home for the elderly, a school, or something else, and they contribute to the cause as a group. Irma is very empathetic and caring, and this community involvement makes it clear that she prioritizes helping others.

As she grows older, Irma has learned to prioritize her family more in her life as well, and in particular, she wants to spend more time with her grandchildren. Though she is getting ready to retire soon, she wants to establish her business enough that her team members can continue being successful. She plans to continue advising and educating them even once she stops serving clients in order to help them have a good future.

It took Irma some time to figure out her purpose in life, but now that she knows what it is, she dedicates all her time to helping her clients reach their goals and helping the people in her community live better lives. “You’re here for a reason and you need to know what that reason is,” Irma advises all readers. “For me, it’s to help and to guide.”

For more about Irma Capas, call 209-496-9266 or email irma@irmacapas.com

WINDY CARTER & MINDY O’BRIEN

Mindy O’Brien and Windy Carter, two seasoned real estate agents since 2014, teamed up two years ago to form Team Windy/Mindy at Three Sixty Lake Martin in Dadeville, Alabama. “We’re both likeminded with the same high standards, so we decided we’d better serve our clients if we worked together,” Mindy exclaims.

The dynamic duo work with one other agent and several assistants who round out the team, serving the Lake Martin area and its surrounding environs. With a sales volume so far of $38 million this year, Mindy and Windy report that their business is mostly repeat and referral clientele. “We are dedicated to making the transaction process for our clients go as easy and smoothly as possible,” Mindy says. “We go above and beyond to exceed our clients’ expectations.”

Windy adds, “We were both born and raised here, so we know a lot about the area. That’s critical because we become a resource for our clients long after escrow closes. For example, we can recommend great service providers like plumbers or electricians, whatever they need.” The team markets their listings on their personal website, on two MLS sites, through social media, and on their corporate page. “We also offer a blog that people love,” says Mindy.

Both agents enjoy what they do for a variety of reasons. “For me, it’s about the relationships we build and the connections we maintain. Many of our clients become life-long friends,” Windy exclaims. “I also love looking at all of the beautiful homes.”

Mindy adds, “I also love the fact that you never know what each day will bring. Our work is very exciting.”

The women strongly believe in giving of their time for their community and are members of the Lake Martin Resource Center, which holds several events throughout the year. “We’re very involved with lake cleanups and maintenance to keep the area beautiful year-round for our community to enjoy,” says Mindy. They also donate an angel tree at Christmas to the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch, which provides family-style residential homes for Alabama’s needy, neglected, or abused school-aged girls.

It’s not surprising that the team receives stellar reviews for their esteemed work ethic. One client recently wrote: “We were so fortunate to have such professional and caring agents. They went above and beyond and advocated for us in a multiple offer situation. And we got our home!”

Windy and Mindy stay in touch with their clients via bi-weekly emails and on social media. “We love to check in and remain in front of our clients,” says Windy. “And we don’t always push out our real estate business; we also love to write and talk about the local lifestyle.” When not working or donating their time, both women love to enjoy what Lake Martin has to offer. Windy loves to spend time with her family and dog out on the lake, while Mindy loves to go boating in the summer. “We also go tailgating during football season,” she exclaims.

As for the future, the agents hope to continue to grow their business and their team. “This is one of the most beautiful areas in the world, a hidden gem,” says Windy. “We want to continue to bring people out here so they can appreciate this an amazing lifestyle.”

To learn more about Mindy and Windy, email windymindyrealtors@gmail.com, visit https://lifeonlakemartin.com or call (256)749.1509 / (256) 630.5005