Confessions of a Workaholic: How Teams Saved the Day

By Carrie Foley

I have a confession to make: I am a workaholic. How do I know? I’m never able to take my mind off my work and I’m always thinking about where my next buyer or seller will come from. Just one is never enough.

Maybe it’s the high I get from helping a first-time homebuyer get into their dream home; maybe it’s the thrill of negotiating tooth and nail for my sellers. Whatever it is, it consumes my every waking moment. I toss and turn at night, restless with the thoughts of what I didn’t get done that day, and what I need to accomplish tomorrow. I’m often the first to arrive at the office in the morning and frequently there again late into the evening, the glow of the computer screen, the notifications of incoming emails, feeding my motivation to reply to just one more client.

Even at home, my drive to work harder and sell more than the year before wouldn’t go away. I was restless and fidgety, unable to just sit on the couch and enjoy any downtime. I was willing to do anything to get that high. I would drop everything to go show a house late in the evening or to answer a call or email. Something had to give. One person could only stretch so far. I was at my breaking point.

I had to make some decisions and take a big step in my business. I started a team last year with the addition of an assistant. Although it was difficult to let go and learn to delegate tasks, with the support of my coach and the incredible talent of my team members, I am happy to report that I am on the road to recovery. No longer do I work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am enjoying more time with my kids, setting aside more time for travel, and even more time to just sit on the couch and relax.

A team structure allows me to leverage my time and talent, and my business continues to grow and thrive because of it.  I am a recovering workaholic and I have my team to thank for that.

CARRIE FOLEY is a REthink Council member and agent with Seattle-based Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate. Find Carrie at Facebook or on Twitter, @CarrieFoleyRE.