In the real estate industry one of the primary ways that we grow our business is through lead generation.

Here at KW (and I’m sure this is similar in most brokerages) we are taught to “Lead Generate” for 2 hours a day, Monday to Friday. Basically, we make lots and lots of phone calls. The most common hours are from 9am to 11pm and those 2 hours are time-blocked on our schedules. If the time needs to be changed that is okay, but the lead generation must be done every day, no matter what if you want to .

So far, I have been religious about getting my 2 hours in. It’s a grind, let me tell ya. Much like going for that workout, eating food that’s good for you or having a morning and bedtime routine the motivation to do all these things is always there for me at first.

It’s exciting to plan and begin something new. The dopamine hit I get from starting something is unreal; I LOVE a new challenge. However, after a period of time, boredom begins to set in. The excitement of a new venture fades and my brain starts to protest the monotony. I’m sure you have been there as well.

So how have I learned to embrace the boredom and continue plugging away with the things that I know I MUST do in order to be successful? I look at the things that I have to do daily like they are a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly. When you work out you are essentially breaking down muscle so that they can grow back bigger/stronger. There’s a lot of other science that goes with that, but that’s essentially what happens.

Call me crazy but I look at any habit that I must form like something that needs to be broken down in order to grow. I must lift weights in order to shape my body into what I want it to be. I must eat well so I can feel good in my mind, body, and spirit and to increase my chances of having a long, healthy life. I must have a routine in the morning and at night so I can set myself up for a successful day. I must lead generate so I can grow my business and reach my goals.

All of these things are boring when done every day and very much involve a “breaking down” of resistance. By sticking to my daily habits, things that I tend to resist, I build resilience in my brain and body so I can do the hard and boring things day after day.

Eventually, the habits of the routine I create become so ingrained in me that I have a negative response mentally and physically when I fall off task. I get restless if I don’t get my workouts in, my self-esteem is not as good when I don’t eat well, and when I don’t make my calls…you get the picture.

That is NOT to say that I work all the time like a maniac. In fact, I have more free time than I ever have in my daily life. These days though, I make it intentional, just like when I eat a cookie on occasion, that way I can enjoy it to its fullest.

In short, embrace the monotony, have a routine, and lean into the resistance so you can build up resilience and reach your goals. Nothing worth having is easy and not every moment in life has to be filled with excitement in order for it to be fulfilling.