In real estate, it’s easy to feel productive without actually being effective.
You answer emails, scroll the MLS, do some social media, design things on Canva, chat with other agents, maybe follow up on a lead or two. But at the end of the day, you’re left wondering:
“What did I actually get done?” or “I’m always so busy, why don’t I have any business?”
That’s the trap of busy work. And if you want more listings, more referrals, and more income—you need to own your time, not just fill it. And, you need to prioritize income producing activities over busy work. Have you heard of the PIE Time theory?
That’s where time blocking comes in.
What Is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a simple concept:
Instead of reacting to whatever comes your way, you schedule chunks of time in your calendar for specific, focused activities—before the day starts.
It helps you:
- Stay focused on income-producing tasks
- Reduce decision fatigue
- Eliminate time-wasting distractions
- Build consistency (which leads to confidence)
- Gets the important things done first so they don’t get missed later in the day
It’s how top agents get more done in less time—and feel in control of their business.
Why Most Agents Don’t Use It (or Give Up Too Fast)
Let’s be honest: time blocking sounds great, but many agents say:
- “My day is too unpredictable!”
- “What if a client calls?”
- “I don’t want to be boxed in.”
But here’s the truth:
You’re not blocking your time to create rigidity—you’re doing it to protect your priorities. It also helps you protect your personal life so you can have a work-life balance. Doesn’t that sound appealing?
You can (and should) build flexibility into your calendar. But if everything is flexible, nothing gets done.
The Most Important Blocks to Protect
If you want to grow your business—not just stay busy—these blocks should go on your calendar every week:
- Lead Generation
Minimum 1–2 hours/day. Calls, follow-ups, emails, social DMs—whatever moves the needle. Have you heard of the Ninja Nine? - Client Appointments
Listing presentations, buyer consults, showing prep, inspections. - Marketing & Content Creation
Social posts, email newsletters, videos, property marketing. - Education/Skill Building
30–60 min/week to study the market, scripts, or strategies. - Admin/Systems
CRM updates, transaction checklists, paperwork. - Nurturing Clients, Past Clients, and your SOI
2x per week/1-2 hour time slot. Coffee or lunch meetings to socialize, build a deeper relationship, earn trust and referrals. - White Space
Yes—you should block time for rest, exercise, and flexibility.
Tips to Make Time Blocking Actually Work
- Theme Your Days:
Mondays = marketing, Tuesdays = buyer calls, etc. - Use Alarms/Reminders:
Treat these blocks like appointments with your business. Put them in your calendar and make them non-negotiable. Schedule everything else around them. - Start Small:
Even 2 focused time blocks/day is a win. - Print & Plan Weekly:
Set aside 15–20 minutes on Sundays to sketch out your week. You don’t want to wake up Monday morning, look at your calendar and say “Hmm, I guess I don’t have anything to do today”. Because guess what will most likely happen? You will do exactly that, nothing. Preparation and planning is the key to success.
Final Thought: Control Your Calendar, Control Your Career
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be intentional.
The agents who time block consistently spend more time doing what matters most—and they see the results in their closings, confidence, and calendar.
Because in this business, time isn’t money—how you use your time is.
Want More Control, More Clients, and Less Chaos?
At Baird & Warner’s Frankfort office, we coach our agents to stop spinning their wheels and start building structured, scalable businesses. We help you master your time, focus on what works, and create a calendar that supports your goals—not drains your energy.
If your current office isn’t helping you grow like a business owner, it might be time for a change.
👉 Let’s grab coffee and talk about what working smarter could really look like.
You bring the goals—we’ll bring the tools, training, and time-saving systems.
ACE - Agent Coaching & Elevation 
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