TEAM TALK wasn’t able to set boundaries in her life, real estate might become the only thing in her life. “I was producing,” she says. “But I wasn’t running my business as a business, and it was taking a toll on me and my family.” Her two young daughters wouldn’t be young forever, and they were her priority.
“In our business, the more you work, the more work you have to do.”
Setting Boundaries to Achieve Success, Professionally and Personally By Verl Workman
R
eal estate is an amazing industry, isn’t it? It gives people the opportunity to build the lives they’ve always dreamed of while creating a positive impact on their community. But we’d be kidding ourselves if we believe that it’s always wine and roses. The fact is, those in real estate—like she was named one of RE/MAX’s any entrepreneur—run the risk of be- Top 40 Under 40. ing consumed by their work. Regard“I was working all the time, and less of the particular cause, being I loved it. [But] it’s addicting, and in controlled by work is never a sustain- our business, the more you work, the able way to live—and, more often more work you have to do.” As she than not, it results in needless strain on met other top producers from around relationships, families and business. the country, many were shocked I’d like you to meet Ashley Alred. that she was able to do it all herself. She and her team currently She remembers them asking serve the Pullman, Washquestions like, “What kind of ington, and Moscow, Idaho, life is that?” and whether she areas 75 miles south of Spoactually loved her husband. kane. She is a self-professed “I was like, ‘Well, yeah, “small-town girl,” but that why would you ask that?’ To hasn’t stopped her from findwhich they responded, ‘Then Alred ing widespread success in stop living at work!’” real estate. Her competitive nature These comments helped set off a and strong work ethic translate to 80- lightbulb. While Ashley loved being plus transactions a year, and in 2021, in real estate, she realized that if she
-ASHLEY ALRED Team Leader/Associate, RE/MAX Home and Land
Anyone who’s spent any time in real estate can relate to this predicament. Many agents assume they either have to step away from their business or risk further stress to their families, but Ashley found another solution: coaching. By working with a coach to not only set boundaries around what’s most important, but also establish a team to support her, Ashley feels like she’s found the best of both worlds. “I have time to breathe and to put me and my family first,” she says. “You have to have a life, and you can be successful in both the professional and personal.” Real estate is an amazing industry. By setting boundaries around what’s important to you, it’s possible to create the life you want, complete with a career in real estate without major sacrifices. RE Verl Workman is the founder and CEO of Workman Success Systems (385-2827112), an international speaking, consulting and coaching company that specializes in performance coaching and building successful power agents and teams. Contact him at Verl@WorkmanSuccessSystems.com, or go to www.WorkmanSuccess.com to learn more. RISMedia’s REAL ESTATE June 2022 83
