How do you fit professional development into your busy schedule?

In my experience as a real estate developer, your strengths come from continuous education. Attending seminars, listening to podcasts and even networking events help me to stay up to date and learn market & economy trends that help my business.

As an executive recruiter who's owned his own staffing firm for the last 12 years, I was looking for ways to diversify my income streams through real estate. That's when I decided to get my real estate license versus other pursuits. I analyzed my recruiting and staffing business model and recognized the similarities(matching candidates with employers and matching buyers will real estate sellers). In this way, I wasn't starting the real estate business from scratch, and I was able to tap into my past experience, lessons learned and recruiting skills and applied them to real estate.

I've been a real estate broker for 46+ years. I'm asked, aren't you tired of this business / when are you retiring? I'm still motivated to serve. Got to keep moving. Gave my mom advice when she moved into assisted living...had a bad and grumpy attitude. I posed the question..."how do you want to finish? Fade away or finish strong? The latter resonated with her and that was her choice. I'm following my own advice (dropping the finish part)...just be strong. I'm always in search of the best version of myself. Identify old patterns to have power over them and then create a new decree, awareness of my language...NOTS, HAVES, WANTS...avoid those to consciously reprogram my subconscious to create the future that I desire.

The key to this is to take it one day at a time. All you have to do is show up each day and tackle your objectives one by one. You will make progress if you stay consistent.

I agree. Time blocking is essential to any business success. Focus on the main goal and complete short goals which will lead you to complete your end goal.

If you wake up every morning with the singular focus to improve yourself and those around you, then there is no fitting in or having to schedule around chaos. Removing activities that aren't contributing to your highest calling or those around you is infinitely more effective than trying to cram in growth to a schedule full of non-growth activities.

Talking and implementing what you learn allows you to become an expert on the matter which in turn helps you grow. And always be open to criticism.

Professional development is necessary for all and must be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint. The four steps I focus on are below: Dream - if time and money were not barriers, what plans would you love to make. It’s great to visualize big goals with limitless opportunities. While it may not come to fruition, it’s great to think about all of the possibilities. Plan - set your goals and stay committed. But be realistic with your expectations. Don’t over commit, you’ll wind up disappointed. Prioritize - it’s easy to get excited and overwhelmed with the extra work. Prioritize what is most important to you and set a clear timeline to work from. Pivot - Be flexible as things can and will change.

It is important to fit professional development into your schedule to continue to grow. Assess your current situation, come up with a plan and commit to that plan.