Two weeks from today, I'll be walking down the Champs Elysees in my reasonably chic comfortable shoes! And this vacation is going to be different!
So, I've been getting together my to do list, which includes what I'm bringing with me and what needs to get done before I take off.
And I have to say, my list of stuff to pack does include a lot of small electronic gear that can help me stay in touch with clients. That would be my I-Phone and my tiny little MacBook.
But wait! This is a vacation!
It's a time to get away, see and do new things and revive my spirit! And this realization spurred a phone call to accomplish something else hastily added to my list - to work out coverage with a trusted colleague while I am away!
On my first trip to Cape Cod, I ratified two offers, and one of the other agents involved was in Ocean City and the second on in San Francisco. And I had to wonder, why bother to take a vacation? I was running on adrenolin for the entire time!
I can see taking a few minutes out of each day to check email, but like many in our profession, I have trouble letting go of potential business! It's hard to put the computer down!
There is a real estate company in suburban Maryland where they take your cell phone away when you take time off. When it rings, the covering agent answers the call and handles whatever it is. And no cheating! While that sounds like a fabulous idea in theory, I am not quite that evolved! And I'm way too Type-A besides.
Before leaving, I will change the contact information on my listings, and my clients will know where I am, when I'll be back, and that they need to call my buddy Ed if they get an unstoppable urge to make a move before then. And when I'm looking over the wonderful Paris vista from the Eiffel Tower with my digital camera taking fabulous photos for my blog, I will thank my lucky stars that I have a colleague who will ably handle things until I get back!
Good for you. For folks who like to travel, I'm travelled out, this sounds like a wonderful adventure. I'm sure you'll handle it with a little help from some friends and co-workers.
Patricia,
Have a good time, and say hello to the Champs for me...!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Patricia, as I was reading this, Amy was doing some leg work on our upcoming trip to DC. It's always nice to have a good agent take care of your business while you're away. It makes the vacation more enjoyable with peach of mind. But the way, I've never been to the Spy Museum, is is appropriate for kids ages 6,9?
Patricia - April in Paris. How continental. I hear they have good fries over there :) have a fun vacation.
Congratulations on your upcoming trip. I let business ruin my last vacation, in Hawaii no less. I have sense teamed up with other agents to assist with coverage.
Patricia - It sounds like a great trip...You'd better fight that urge to work! :)
I am so jealous! You had better fight the urge to work and enjoy every moment of it. You need this rejuvenation to keep you going for the rest of the year. I can't wait to see pictures.
Ok, so where on earth did you find reasonably chic comfortable shoes? I want a picture of these, LOL.
Glad you decided to really take time off. Now I just hope you will actually NOT THINK about work while you are there.
OK, well, only 2 weeks away, I am practicing folding myself up suitcase sized, I am almost there.
Sounds like you have a wonderful trip mapped out. Although it's pretty impossible for me to ask you not to think about work, I do hope that you let things be here while you are over there! Have a great trip!!
Bon voyage, Pat. Enjoy your special birthday.
My biggest problem on vacation is withdrawal from ActiveRain. I have trouble letting it go. I know I'm addicted, but I would like to think that I could go two weeks without my laptop. I'm sure Paris will take your mind off business...enjoy every minute of it.
Holy Crap! You're not leaving it in Ed's hands, are you???
(Just kidding. He's an HGTV star, you know!)
Pat: At least you are actually getting on a plane and going somewhere. I'm a control freak about my business too and haven't been out of work mode for more than a day or two here and there. I applaud you for actually taking the vacation.
Enjoy yourself. The best thing you can do is go away and recharge your batteries. You deserve this jaunt and we all are looking forward to the stories and the photos when you return.
We think we are irreplaceable but it appears the world keeps turning even when we are not here to check on it. I hope you had a great time in Paris.
Work in Paris???? You gotta be kidding. Give it to Ed and let go. :)
Pat - I go away often and am getting good at this even with my type A personality. I make sure to introduce all my buyers to the covering agent during a week or two before leaving. I have even brought along the covering agent on some showings to get to lknow my clients if I know that the search will probably continue while I am away. Even if I am able to write their offer before leaving the covering agent will still need to follow up with things and everybody will need a comfort level. My covering agent is also on hand to negotiate on my listings. However, I try to do as much as I can since most of my trips do not entail overseas time differences. I do make everyone aware that I have limited access to email and fax and I really mean that. Sometimes I travel with only my Blackberry. Sometimes I will bring a laptop - depends on how much I need to condense to be in compliance to luggage rules. It's not like I can' find a business center somewhere - if need be. Most people are patient and appreciative when they realize I am working for them from a much needed "vacation."
It's amazing that one can go to a foreign country and still do real estate in the home state. Amazing and wonderful!
Hi Patricia,
Good for you, have a great time on your trip. BTW, I have a letter that goes out to each client "in the works" when I leave for a trip. Although I've discussed it with them prior to leaving the letter usually arrives a day after I've left and serves an another connection. It reiterates our discussion and gives them a business card (of my sub) with a brief sentence or two about that person. If I'm out of the country I rarely do biz.
After returning from my last trip one of my sellers emailed me to say "we felt like we were well cared for by your staff.... It's a great feeling!
Have fun!!!
Hi Pat... Every agent needs an "Ed". Recharging our batteries from time to time is very important and the Ed's of this world make that possible. Bon Voyage!
Pat,
That is one foreign country I have never been in. I keep wanting to go but my wife is so into Italy that I can only flail and submit.
Hi Pat...Invariably when I get away, business gets busier. Sometimes I joke about pretending that I am going on a trip.
A trusted stand-in is vital in this business.
I love Paris. Enjoy.
Kate
Good for you. Spend those greenbacks while it is worth something. Plus, it is the time to travel now.
patricia,
Looks like you are already all in France. have a great time, shop reasonably (what the heck is that, yes?) and get the best out of the vacation
Hi Pat,
I hope you can relax in Paris! It sounds like it's going to be a great trip. (If you can leave work alone.) :o)
-Lisa
Pat, Have a great trip. Enjoy the food. Cell phones work really well in Europe but remember you're 6 hours ahead of your clients.
Take me with you!!!
Oh Pat I SO understand this post. I took a wonderful cruise 2 weeks ago that I booked 6 months ago. Of course what happens? I client who was going to wait list her place - listed and another buyer come out of left field and wanted to buy something.
I ratified 2 contracts somewhere between the beach in Cozumel and the Tiki-hut bar. It was so NOT a relaxing vacation !
So Pat, are we really going to be getting a daily update of your vacation? I am sure that you will enjoy every minute of the trip.