A Mortgage Broker's Guide to Establishing Work-Life Balance

While work-life balance may look different for people, we can likely all agree on one thing: it’s hard to maintain. Our workforce is more connected than ever, and our schedules have never been busier. Although it’s no simple task, pursuing a healthy work-life balance is more than worth the effort. Here are some practical steps mortgage brokers can take to thrive in the workplace, and enjoy life outside of it.

Set Your Schedule Wisely

Entrepreneurs looking for schedule flexibility get that ten-fold as mortgage brokers. Their compensation is based on the loans they facilitate and close, not the number of hours it takes to make it happen. This structure gives brokers more control over what they do from moment to moment, and where they do it.

A healthy work-life balance starts with a schedule that has wiggle-room, and the nature of a mortgage broker’s role grants them wiggle-room by default. They can build their work-day around their life, not the other way around.

Prioritize Your Time For Work And Rest

If you’re reading this, chances are you have access to your phone, email, and computer at all times. And honestly, it’s not a bad thing. That use of modern technology is what allows you to work from anywhere at any time.  But it also means you’re accessible from anywhere, at any time.

The same entrepreneurial spirit that drives people towards the mortgage industry often drives them to work the hours that accommodate their clients.

This is where your planning, discipline and communication skills come in play. As an independent mortgage broker you’ll have the power to set your hours, but what good does that do if you don’t communicate and stick to them? Setting clear expectations on your availability can put your clients at ease, and keep you from burning the midnight oil.

Build A Strong Client Base

For a mortgage broker, the benefits of a strong client base go beyond compensation. The return on investment in building long-term relationships that make work-life balance a breeze. When you consistently deliver premium service to your clients they eventually become your fans. And fans don’t stay silent about their passions, they spread the word.

Think about the brands you love — you want their logo on your tee shirts, you want their sticker on your laptop, and you refer your friends. Providing a quality experience for your clients can earn you repeat business and referrals. That predictability helps you reach your business goals and have a lot more fun along the way.  

Know When To Ask For Help

One of the biggest myths about becoming an entrepreneur or business owner is that you have to do it all alone. Believing in this myth leads to long hours, frustration, and eventually burnout. The work of a mortgage broker involves a variety of tasks — and depending on your skillset and interests, these tasks may be better suited for someone in your office.

If you’d prefer to maintain your status as a solopreneur (and keep your overhead as low as possible), a virtual assistant may be a great option.

There are also plenty of digital tools like loan origination software (LOS) and customer relationship management software (CRM) that can help you automate your workflow and stay ahead of schedule.

The goal here is to make the most of your time. When you ask for help it frees you up to focus on high –value activities, the things that only you can do for your business. It allows you to maximize your impact and minimize your stress.

Are you ready to jump-start your career in the mortgage industry? Our team at BeAMortgageBroker.com is here to help you every step of the way.