With temperatures rising already in many areas of North America and students and parents settling in for the long summer days, I thought it might be a good idea to offer some handy tips to help today's agents make the most of their summertime.

Here are our combined ideas for keeping momentum high while breezing into the second half of the year:

1. Take a CRS course. These accredited courses -- most of which only take one or two days to complete -- offer a variety of topics and tools to help brokers and agents fine-tune their skills. Visit crs.com to find the courses being offered in your area, then plan a few additional “vacation days” to enhance your knowledge -- and earn continuing education credits while you're at it!

2. Revisit your plan. June and July are perfect for walking through that business plan you set in motion back in December. Real estate professionals historically earn more in the first half of the year than in the second so, on average, by now you should be at about 65 percent of your goals. If you are, wonderful; give yourself a bonus day! If not, this would be a good opportunity to re-evaluate your plan and talk to your manager, a fellow associate (preferably a top producer) and, of course, your family. Your goals and their goals need to coincide for your best chance at success.

3. Slip in some smart reading. When gathering your library of beach books and magazines, opt for a few on how to be the best you can be at what you do. Re-visit the article Read Your Mind: What's in YOUR Library? on RealtyTimes.com for a terrific list of great business books. Websites of your coaches, national speakers, CRS, NAR and more also feature a variety of recommended reading.

4. Make a list, and check it twice. No, not your holiday list. Summer is a great time to take stock of where you are in terms of health, wealth, relationships and personal growth. Are you eating right? Are you exercising and fueling your body with the right vitamins and nutrients to promote a long and healthy life? Are you curbing the habits that will shorten your time on Earth and keep you from the people and things that you love the most? Are you investing in yourself and your future by way of savings, investments and career-building opportunities? Are you the best mother, father, sister, brother, child or friend that you can be to those VIPs who have walked this road with you through thick and thin? Ask yourself, “Where am I, and where do I want to be in terms of health, wealth, relationships and growth?” The answers may lead you to re-direct your summer plans to include a health resort, romantic getaway, trip to visit family or a spiritual journey. Take that personal inventory, move forward, and trust that new doors will open for you.

5. Put some systems on autopilot. MLSmailings.com is a great way to ensure your marketing is in place even while you're away. A listing sells while you're at the beach? No problem! Your Just Sold cards will go out automatically. You also can schedule sphere of influence campaigns to ship while you're whitewater rafting and attend your FSBO conference call by dialing in from your cell phone while sailing in the Gulf of Mexico! Get creative, be inventive, and find solutions and systems that will streamline your business so that no matter where you are or what you're doing, your business is always in motion.

6. Have a Movie Marathon. I know, you're already committed to taking the kids to see the summer blockbusters, but why not take a hint from this month's Master Marketing Newsletter^TM and consider renting or buying Door to Door with William H. Macy and Kyra Sedgwick. This extraordinary film is based on the true story of Bill Porter, a door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy. It follows Porter's unbelievable rise to success in the '50s with humor, humanity, spirit and honesty.

The movie is a tremendous reminder to us all to invite the skills, strategies and fundamentals that allow us to overcome obstacles and accomplish goals into our lives for good. Pop some corn, settle in, and let us know what you think!

7. Schedule Some R&R. Everyone needs a break, especially when times are tough and tensions are high. Re-calendar your days so that you have some downtime to relax and rejuvenate.

You'll find yourself springing back better than ever when you return to work! Stay forward of the competition this summer by implementing some of these simple yet effective ideas. Then rest easy and celebrate with the knowledge that you have the commitment, plans and momentum to make the most of this month, this year and your career while striking a perfect balance between personal, family and professional time. Enjoy!

Published: July 14, 2008

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Julie Escobar is Director of Corporate and Convention Marketing for ProspectsPLUS! Julie has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the real estate industry. In her current position, she provides fresh ideas, products and tools for the training team and valued clients of Bradenton, FL-based ProspectsPLUS! Get more of her tips, tools and strategies each month in the free Master Marketing NewsletterTM from Prospects PLUS! Visit www.ProspectsPlus.com, call Julie at 1.800.287.5710, or e-mail her at to learn more today!