Are You Actually Working… or Just Feeling Busy? 😬
There are plenty of tasks in real estate that make you feel productive but don’t actually lead to closings. A new logo? A fresh website? A perfectly curated Instagram feed? Sure, they might help, but if your bank account is running low, these probably aren’t the things you should be focusing on. Are you distracted or actually working?
In this episode, we’re breaking down the biggest time wasters, what’s actually making you money, and how to stay focused on the right things.
Here’s what we cover:
- The #1 real estate time waster (spoiler: it’s social media)
- How to tell if an activity is truly income-producing
- Why some agents stay “busy” but never get closings
- What’s really working for agents in our community
- The best (and easiest) ways to track your results
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I even be spending time on this?”—this episode is for you. Let’s cut the distractions and start working smarter, not harder!
Key Quotes & Takeaways
💡 “There’s a difference between being busy and being productive. Just because you worked all day doesn’t mean you worked on the right things.” – Katy
💡 “You have to ask yourself—did I actually plant any seeds today that will make me money next quarter?” – Alissa
💡 “If you don’t know how your last 5 clients found you, you don’t know what’s working in your business.” – Katy
💡 “Stop worrying about the perfect website, email signature, or social media strategy. Just focus on talking to people.” – Alissa
💡 “Your results are hiding in the work you’re avoiding.” – Katy
Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned
📍 Google Business Profile (for free online visibility)
🎨 Canva (for social media & branding—if used efficiently)
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Are You Focusing on the Right Activities in Your Real Estate Business?
Real estate is full of tasks that make you feel productive but don’t actually generate income. While some activities help build your business, others only create a false sense of accomplishment. It’s important to identify what truly moves the needle and what’s just a distraction.
Distractions That Feel Productive (But Aren’t)
Many agents spend too much time on non-revenue-generating tasks, thinking they’re making progress. These include:
- Tweaking your website, logo, or brand colors
- Over-planning social media content instead of posting
- Organizing your database without reaching out to contacts
- Spending hours creating a newsletter but never sending it
- Attending networking events but not talking to anyone
- Volunteering for real estate committees with no direct business benefit
These tasks may have value, but if they take time away from income-producing activities, they’re holding you back.
How to Measure Success in Real Estate
Many agents fall into the trap of measuring success the wrong way—through social media engagement, industry awards, or flashy marketing. While those can be great, they don’t always reflect actual business growth.
A successful real estate business should be measured by:
- Consistent income – Are you closing deals regularly?
- Client satisfaction – Are your clients referring you to others?
- Lead generation – Are you actively growing your database?
If your business looks good on the outside but isn’t generating income, it’s time to refocus on activities that actually lead to closings.
Income-Producing Activities You Should Prioritize
Instead of getting caught up in distractions, focus on direct revenue-generating actions like:
- Talking to your sphere – Personal outreach, client check-ins, and follow-ups
- Hosting open houses – A great way to meet buyers and potential sellers
- Following up on leads – Timely responses to inquiries and referrals
- Asking for Google reviews – Social proof that builds credibility
- Sending market updates – Keep past and potential clients informed
- Farming your neighborhood – Engage with your community through mailers or events
These activities directly lead to business growth—unlike spending hours adjusting your Canva designs.
The Importance of Intentional Networking
Networking only works if you’re actually engaging with people. If you’re spending time at events but not introducing yourself, you’re wasting that opportunity. Make it a goal to:
- Start conversations – Be the first to say hello
- Be curious – Ask about people’s lives, not just their business
- Follow up – Stay in touch after meeting someone new
Building relationships through small, intentional actions leads to long-term business success.
Stop Letting Social Media Drain Your Productivity
Social media can be a powerful tool, but it’s also a major time-waster. Many agents fall into these common traps:
- Spending hours scrolling instead of engaging
- Overthinking posts and never hitting publish
- Creating content but not tracking its effectiveness
If you’re using social media for business, set a time limit for engagement and focus on meaningful interactions—commenting, responding to DMs, and staying visible to your audience.
Audit Your Time: Are You Working on the Right Things?
At the end of the day, ask yourself:
Did I plant any seeds today that will make me money in the next quarter?
If the answer is no, you may be spending too much time on distractions. Real estate is a relationship-driven business, and success comes from consistent, meaningful interactions—not from perfecting your Instagram grid.
