While warm summer weather allowed for safer, outdoor opportunities to spend time with family and friends, indoor activities with large groups should still be avoided as social distancing recommendations are expected to last into 2021.
Which brings us to the question: What should you be doing with your spare time when socializing isn’t always an option? One way to spend the time productively is to take advantage of online professional development courses to help you get ahead in your career. From the comfort and safety of your own home, use this opportunity to hone your skills as a REALTOR®.
Develop Patience
We’ve all had clients who can’t pull the trigger on a deal. While you may be comfortable with negotiations you take part in day after day, as a REALTOR®, many of your clients see things differently, as this is a major event that can shape the rest of their lives. Realizing this, you need to show restraint and patience when clients need time to make a decision on whether to buy or sell a home. Analyzing when to push and when to step back can make or break a deal. And patience doesn’t necessarily need to focus on just transactions—learning how to slow things down can help reduce stress and aid in identifying other areas of your business that may need more attention.
Learn a Language
Being multilingual is extremely beneficial for not only those in the real estate industry, but for all lines of work. Start by researching the other most commonly spoken languages in your area and determine which language allows you to communicate with the most potential customers. You don’t have to become fluent in the language, but making an effort to learn could earn goodwill with prospects. With even just an hour a day of practice, you could be well on your way to learning a new language.
Options for Online Courses
Here are some popular online course hubs to consider when looking to improve your professional skills:
coursera.org
udemy.com
alison.com
edx.org
linkedin.com/learning
Future Coding
With the world becoming more digital by the day, having at least a basic understanding of online coding can be monumental to the success of your business. From easily updating your website to learning how to program your own email blasts, being technologically literate allows you to have a more direct impact on your online presence and outreach. Plus, for those who may be involved in smaller real estate operations, being technologically self-sufficient can save you time and money by avoiding the need to hire a full-time IT professional or outsource for digital work.
Take Up Teaching
REALTORS® have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips that can benefit both clients and colleagues—maybe you want to start an online webinar series or provide a course of your own. But how do you translate that knowledge into something useful? There are classes online that will actually teach you how to become an effective teacher. Learn how to pass on information in an engaging and valuable way, allowing for your “students” to take that information and apply it in their day-to-day lives. Who knows, maybe this training will help you become a future RRC educator.
Photo: iStock.com/Yulia Zaikina
