If there’s ever been a year in the real estate industry that steeled hearts and galvanized work ethics, it happened in 2025 and then some. From Day 1, the prevailing attitude has been to stop crying about affordability, lack of inventory and interest rates and start figuring it out.
Due to personal and professional conflicts, many officers did just that; they made it work for their customers and persevered. But pushing ahead often leads to collateral damage or sidestepping best practices that are abandoned when everything feels like a crisis.
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This year my word of the year is “repair,” and if you’re like me, there’s a lot of room for improvement. I’m working on putting a little less stress behind me and creating more fun in my sales process. Here are my 26 New Year’s resolutions for 2026:
Fix resolutions
1. Time management
There’s a version of this on my resolutions list every year, but this year in particular, my sales career overtook my personal life. I strengthen the boundaries for my day so that I get enough rest at night.
2. I no longer assume my clients can hear me
A huge pitfall for every part of the sales process? Assuming everyone understands their role and what they need to do.
3. I’ll bring back the networking lunch
Scheduling at least two networking lunches with referral partners in advance so they know I care more about a busy transaction.
4. Downsizing to 1 monthly evening networking meeting
My family needs to see me or I will lose touch with the ‘why’ of my business. I choose just one after-work event that will maximize my connections. Only the best.
5. Learn while you do
If I make a mistake, I debrief with the parties involved in a conscious conversation and make notes about what worked well and what could be improved.
6. Apologize first
When things go wrong, I make sure I take responsibility and present solutions, even if things are beyond my control and my clients have just been terribly lucky.
7. Snackable education
I recently cut my presentations in half and turned my manuals into one-page checklists. Less is more for overwhelmed consumers, colleagues and administrators. I ask less of my customers.
8. Fill in as much as possible in advance
When it comes to digital and printed forms, I ensure that my clients have to do as little work as possible. This significantly reduces errors for my team and my administrators, and improves communication.
9. Always end a conversation with next steps
Before I reach out to a customer, supplier, or referral partner, I let them know the next steps. I also repeat the following steps in a text (if possible).
10. More calls, confirm with SMS and follow up with hard copies
Some of you will hate this, but I’ve had so much more luck getting some of my communications and documentation back onto paper. I still send out digital copies, but putting things back on paper and letting people take their own notes and have something on hand for reference has been a game changer for my clients of all ages.
11. Follow up in different ways
I have noticed that some of my clients are quickest to respond on Facebook, some of them like texting and others want a quiet phone call. In my first conversation with people, I note their schedule, who is important to them, and how they like to communicate.
I know Ted works nights and Jessica works from home. I know who Team Zoom is and who Team Teams is. These simple questions can heal bumpy transactions, from herding cats to lining up ducks.
12. FamilyY and friends time is non-negotiable
If you’re taking the day off and have plans with your loved ones, no, you can’t come in, answer the phone, or leave for a while. Let your special people know they are a priority and tag a trusted team member.
13. Refer deals if you’re maxed out or out of your league
This one is hard, especially when you have the max on personal issues, not a fancy pipeline. But trust me, this will be the cheapest aspirin you will ever take.
14. Listen to your feelings
If you’re uncomfortable, there’s probably a good reason for it. Is someone asking you to bend the rules, look the other way, not make it public, or leave someone out? If we want to rebuild relationships with consumers, we really need to become transparent about people who want to color outside the lines.
15. Don’t give your hard-earned money to RPAC
Until you know the full story of where the money is going, which politicians are funding it, and the impact it’s really making, real estate agents need to take a second look at this entire process.
Would you like to donate to charities that have an impact on housing? I have one nice list here. No nonsense, no red tape or fancy donor dinners. Choose a tax write-off that goes directly where you want it to help those in need and improve real estate in your community, not a random guess that someone funded by RPAC dollar politics will keep their campaign promises.
16. Stop tolerating bad behavior
Tantrums, screaming arguments, slamming doors, late night phone calls, coworkers and salespeople saying vulgar or racist things in front of you, customers asking inappropriate things about your sex life, or topics that make you uncomfortable. Stand up for yourself and don’t tolerate that in your presence.
Bringing back idiosyncrasy
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the work and no play. It’s so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of a transaction and forget to celebrate the small victoriesThe special moments when everything goes well.
Here are 10 things I plan to do so I can bring back the fun for myself, my clients and my colleagues.
17. Thank you cards after every important meeting
These are my favorites.
18. Fun treats
Not necessarily food related, but I research popular things to bring random joy to friends, family and clients. Everyone deserves a little treat, and sometimes giving them as a gift is a treat for yourself.
19. Sips, cups and conversations
I will have more in-person meetings and always share coffee, a snack, an ice-cold drink or some kind of refreshment. Chances are the person you’re speaking to is a little dehydrated (and maybe you are too). We just don’t drink enough. Fellowship over a snack turns a tense meeting into a relationship-building experience.
20. Beautifully planned events
Organize fewer events, but make sure the events you organize for your customers or prospects are creative and memorable. Quality over quantity. If you do this right, you’ll never have to worry about anyone showing up to your customer appreciation event again.
The game changer for me? Tablescapes, live flowers, live music, a curated menu and fantastic door prizes and goody bags.
21. Appreciation moments
If someone does something great, I’m going to praise it personally or with a card. I’m going to show off, I’m going to be the biggest cheerleader. If something closes on time, we go partying.
22. Better quality closing gifts
Let’s ditch the branding and give them something they will use that won’t end up in the thrift store or landfill. If you do your follow-ups right, you won’t have to buy bulk swag.
23. Music is therapy
Music can be universal. Create and share your ultimate focus playlist, party playlist, teamwork playlist, etc. Gift local music events as social media giveaways. Be known as the rockstar agent, who knows the best homes and the best local entertainment.
24. Make yourself, your friends and your customers ‘analog bags’
Generation Z tries to claim this is new, but throwing your hobby supplies in a tote bag has been around for decades. It’s a good reminder that going offline can be a great gift for yourself and others.
Take up a new hobby (I’m going back to watercolors) and maybe make a few extras to offer to clients when they come to visit you at the office. These also make great closing gifts. The secret is not to leave that bag and to spend attentive time outside the line again.
25. Make yourself more unavailable
Get out of the signal; tell people that you are not always available at all times of the day. Go touch grass. Take some time to get some fresh air and go for a walk whenever you can.
You know what’s not fun and whimsical? Every time your phone rings, pings, or vibrates, you feel like you’re going to collapse because you’re completely overstimulated.
26. Say cheese!
Create and take more intentional photos. Don’t just share them on social media, make copies and send them to people by mail.
Do you know what really makes people laugh? Do you know what makes my Mother’s Day perfect, even though I am almost 44 years old? Send her pictures. There is something very special about taking the extra time to create art, copies or real, tangible copies of photos for friends, family and clients. If you do it right, this can double as an analog hobby.
Until 2025! You won’t be missed
Why choose ‘repair’ as the theme for 2026? Because this industry has been torn into so many pieces that it’s hard to recognize which direction it’s going.
We need to rebuild our relationships with ourselves and our loved ones, but most importantly, we need to restore the trust that consumers earn through their purchasing or selling experience.
No hacks, no shortcuts, just complete transparency and the promise that we will do better next year. This is the year you take back control of your business and build consumer trust. You don’t have to participate in the chaos, but you can choose to pursue joy.
#Years #Resolutions #Restore #Business