The Fundamentals of Time Management for a REALTOR®
Louisiana REALTORS® • January 20, 2020
Time is money. This is a common saying, but time can actually be more valuable than money, and there are good and bad ways to spend and save both. The way you organize your schedule and manage each day plays a vital role in your success. This is especially true for REALTORS®. Because of the relationship between time, money, and success are so interconnected, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of time management.
The Eisenhower Matrix
Each day there are tasks that need to be done. There are also tasks that can get done but aren’t necessarily necessary. Prioritizing your day is a great way to work smarter, not harder. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you to make decisions about certain tasks so you can work as efficiently as possible. This matrix features four categories: do first, schedule, delegate, and don’t do. The top of the matrix has two characteristics: urgent, and less urgent. The left side of the matrix also has two characteristics: important, less important. Tasks that are important and urgent should be done first. Tasks that are important and less urgent can be scheduled for another time. Tasks that are less important, but still urgent can be delegated. Simply don’t do the tasks that day that are less important and less urgent.
Maintain a Schedule with Flexibility
Booking every minute of every day is a recipe for disaster especially when dealing with a variety of clients. Not only will it wear you down quickly, it doesn’t allow for any change in plans or unforeseen events. Again, prioritizing is very beneficial, but allow your schedule to be flexible. This makes it easier to account for a change of plans and new opportunities. It is important to be sure to determine what activities are income-producing and which activities could be busywork.
Time Blocking
Time blocking has proven to be an effective time management strategy. It’s as simple as it sounds. Instead of trying to accomplish a variety of things in a random, disorganized way, set a block of time and focus on one task, and complete it. This added level of focus can be centered on your most important tasks, making you more thorough and at the end of the day, more productive. A good example of this is setting aside a concentrated block of time for prospecting and follow-ups. Having a time block helps with focusing those efforts and producing-better outcomes.
Take Quick, Regular Breaks to Maintain Productivity
By nature, your brain can only focus on one activity for an hour or so. Once you reach this point in time, your actual productivity drops tremendously. In order to counteract this effect, set an alarm to remind you to stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Instead of trying to trudge through and finish a task, these quick, regular breaks can end up saving you time and make you more effective.
These are only a few fundamentals of time management. Implementing them can allow you to get more done in less time. As a knowledgeable, professional REALTOR® you can provide the highest level of service to your clients when your schedule is organized and efficient.
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
