Agents Only: How (Not) to Plan for 2024

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It’s that time of year when real estate managers from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to Nogales are encouraging their agents to set realistic and actionable goals for the year ahead.

Here are my top 10 tips for how not to do it:

1.     Stick to setting strictly-business goals and skip all that holistic wellness self-growth crap everyone insisted you pay attention to in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

2.     Reach into the back of your kitchen cabinet for that bottle of well-brand liquor you didn’t deign to drink in fat-income years. Pour and drink a shot of Kentucky Deluxe (if you like bourbon) or White Horse Blended (if you prefer Scotch). Dwell on your abysmal 2023 year as you consider the months ahead.

3.     Ask yourself how much money you want to make in 2024. Now divide that by your average sales price in 2023. If the result is zero, consider retirement.

4.     Ask yourself how much money you want to make in 2024. Now divide that by your height in inches. Subtract 50% of your ideal weight. Multiply by .16, then add 400. This will tell you how many transactions you must close to achieve your goal. Consider retirement.

5.     Do not, under any circumstances, have a nice cup of mint tea and a few squares of quality dark chocolate as a treat to sweeten your planning session.

6.     Tell yourself you don’t need no stinking goals.

7.     Look at last year’s goals, double them (because, clearly, you’re not doing enough) and add that you’ll meditate every morning from 5:30 to 6:20 am and lose 10 pounds by the end of Q1.

8.     Ignore the wisdom of a plethora of real estate and business coaches who have created proven systems for business planning and accountability.

9.     Postpone goal setting until you’ve finished your 2023 taxes.

10.  Decide to bake 100 fruitcakes for your sphere of influence as end-of-the-year-gifts (because that will surely make all the difference).

If you need any support in planning your business for next year – whatever you do – don’t call me!

Author and RealEstateTherapy curator Cynthia Cummins has been devoted to homeowners and homebuyers for three decades and counting. Visit KindredSFhomes.com for more information on San Francisco real estate.

Photo credit: Annie Spratt