Time Management for Agents in High-Gear Mode

Tony Ketterling • June 13, 2025

Time Management for Agents in High-Gear Mode

If your real estate calendar is starting to feel like a runaway train—open houses, client texts, offers at midnight—you’re not alone.


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The Agent’s Guide to Controlling the Clock—Before It Controls You

If your real estate calendar is starting to feel like a runaway train—open houses, client texts, offers at midnight—you’re not alone. High-performing agents often thrive on momentum, but without structure, that speed turns into stress.

At Equity, we believe your time should serve your business goals, not your inbox. Let’s explore how to run your day like a top producer—without burning out.

🧱 Time-Blocking: Put the Big Rocks in First

Time-blocking is more than a productivity trend—it’s a boundary-setting superpower. Start by building your day around non-negotiables:

  • Client showings & appointments – Reserve your peak attention hours.
  • Lead follow-ups – 30–60 min blocks, ideally before noon.
  • Marketing & social media – Block time weekly, not randomly.

**⏰ Pro tip: **Set recurring calendar blocks for key activities. You don’t have to “find” time when it’s already protected.

Time-blocking turns chaos into clarity—and helps you say “yes” to the right things and “not now” to the rest.

⚙️ Automate the Repeat, Focus on the Unique

You don’t have to personally tap out every email or reminder. Set up automation tools in your CRM that work while you show homes or negotiate contracts:

  • Drip campaigns for new leads.
  • Auto-reminders for open house follow-ups.
  • Birthday/home anniversary texts sent automatically.

Think of automation as your digital assistant—quiet, consistent, and always on schedule. 💡 Bonus tip: Use template libraries (emails, checklists, texts) to reduce decision fatigue and stay on brand.

🚫 Escape the Trap of Reactive Work

Every agent knows this pattern: you start the day with a plan… then one call, one fire drill, and suddenly it's 6 PM and your goals are untouched. The fix? Build buffer time and intentional boundaries.

  • Mute non-urgent alerts during focused work blocks.
  • Start the day reviewing your goals, not your messages.
  • Create a “reactive hour” each afternoon to handle surprises—on your terms.

🎯 Reminder: A busy day isn’t always a productive one. Don’t mistake movement for momentum.

🧭 The Equity Perspective: Build a Schedule That Reflects Your Freedom

Equity’s independent model empowers agents to run their business their way. But independence without discipline is just distraction. Use time management not just as a productivity tool—but as a freedom multiplier.

  • Protect your creative hours.
  • Design your business around your life—not the other way around.
  • Create space to scale, not just survive.

✅ Your Time Mastery Action List This Week:

  • Block 3–5 recurring events into your calendar that align with business priorities.
  • Set up or audit your CRM automations.
  • Choose one daily time slot where you silence notifications and go deep.

You can’t control the market—but you can control your minutes.

Tony Ketterling

CEO of Equity Real Estate

As the CEO of Equity Real Estate, I bring over four decades of management and leadership experience to the real estate market, where I have been actively involved since 2000. Equity, the #15 independent real estate company in the nation, boasts a constantly growing network of over 3,500 agents. My passion for the industry drives me to support and guide my team in delivering exceptional client service.

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