Mastering Focus: The #1 Skill Successful Real Estate Agents Use Daily

Are distractions holding you back as a real estate agent?

In this episode of The Mindful Agent, we explore the transformative power of focus—the #1 skill behind every successful real estate agent. Learn how presence boosts your ability to connect deeply with clients, negotiate more effectively, and lead confidently.

You'll discover practical focus habits, including how to eliminate distractions, the myth of multitasking, and why slowing down actually speeds you up. Plus, find out how reconnecting with nature can reset your mind and enhance your productivity. Ready to become a more powerful, present, and productive agent? Listen now, and remember—success starts within.

What's one distraction you'll eliminate this week? 

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Stop what you're doing, stop what you're thinking
about, because today we're talking about something that's
increasingly rare and incredibly powerful, focus.
Welcome to The Mindful Agent, where real estate
success meets health, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Join me, Michael Coxon, top performing agent and

(00:21):
broker owner of Magenta Real Estate, as I
explore the intersection of wellness and business excellence,
helping you thrive in both real estate and
life.
Let me ask you something.
When's the last time you gave someone your
full attention?
No notifications, no background noise, no mental to

(00:43):
-do list running in your head.
In today's world, that kind of presence is
rare, but it's also magnetic.
People can feel it.
In our business, that's everything.
So today, I wanna share some practical focus
habits that will help you become a better
listener, negotiator, and leader, not by doing more,

(01:05):
but by being more present.
Let's start with focusing on listening to clients.
Whether you're on the phone with them, touring
homes, or sitting at a listing appointment, your
presence matters.
It's not just about asking the right questions,
it's about listening deeply.
Put the phone away.

(01:26):
Don't check that notification.
Don't think about the next thing you want
to say.
Let silence do its work.
Our clients wanna feel heard, and when you
listen with full focus, you'll hear more than
their words.
You'll pick up on their emotions, their fears,
and their priorities, and that is what makes
you a great advisor.

(01:47):
And when it's your time to speak, I
want you to try something.
You know that phrase, think before you speak?
Well, that's okay, but I like to breathe
before I speak.
After your client is finished talking, take a
breath.
Focus on your heart space, and then talk.

(02:08):
Give it a try, it's kinda cool.
You're speaking from a different place.
Instead of speaking from your brain, which has
probably just been thinking about what to say
the whole time the other person was talking,
you're speaking from your heart, and who among
us doesn't wanna speak from their heart more
often?
Second, I want you to try to focus
on listening to other agents.

(02:30):
One scenario during like negotiations, say offers, counter
offers, repairs, whatever.
Too many agents are approaching this with a
me versus them mindset.
But when you slow down and actually listen
to what the other agent is saying, what
their client needs, what their timeline looks like,
you often hear more and find a win

(02:51):
-win solution you would have missed if you
were just trying to win the argument.
Slow down, stay curious, ask good questions like
what would make this work for both of
us?
It's not weakness, it's wisdom.
So by now you might be saying, these
sound great, but I have a very hard
time focusing.

(03:12):
You might be wondering why that is.
Well, you're definitely not alone.
UC Irvine did a study that showed our
attention spans have dropped from two and a
half minutes of focus time in 2004 to
47 seconds today.
Why?
You guessed it, smartphones.
We check our phones over 200 times a

(03:32):
day, usually without even realizing it, it's like
automatic.
Every time you switch tasks, it can take
your brain 20 to 30 minutes to refocus.
And that includes checking a notification on your
phone.
That is a task switch in your brain.
So here's my advice.
Leave your phone in the other room when
you're working on something.
When you're prospecting, writing an offer, or doing

(03:55):
a CMA, just do that, nothing else.
Multitasking is a myth.
It's been found that only 2% of
people can actually do it.
And I know right now what you're thinking.
You're thinking you're in the 2%.
Well, you're not.
There's a 98% chance that you're not.
And I'll take those odds all day.
Admit it, you're not achieving two things at

(04:17):
once.
You're just doing two things badly.
There's a saying from the Navy SEALs I
always say, slow is smooth and smooth is
fast.
It's counterintuitive, but slowing down helps you go
faster.
When you write a contract with intention, you
catch mistakes.
When you pause before sending that text, you

(04:39):
reduce miscommunication.
And when you respond with calm presence, you
increase trust.
In business and in life, presence creates flow,
and flow is faster than panic.
You wanna increase your state of flow, your
clarity, and recharge your attention?
My advice is step outside.

(05:01):
Nature cleanses us.
Looking out into nature and open spaces, especially
gazing at the sky and vast horizons, it
has several proven scientific benefits.
For starters, stress reduction.
It lowers cortisol levels and reduces anxiety.
Mental clarity.
It enhances focus, restores attention, and improves your
cognitive performance.

(05:23):
Mood enhancement.
It boosts your mood by releasing endorphins and
fostering a sense of calm.
Eye health.
It reduces eye strain from screen use, and
it can support better long distance vision.
A sense of perspective.
Expansive views help us feel connected, promoting emotional
wellbeing, and reminding us of our broader purpose,

(05:47):
our broader purpose on this planet.
You know, we're not meant to live on
screens.
Phones, laptops, TVs, these are tools.
They're not our lives.
Life is out there in space, in breath,
in conversation, in the trails, and in the
sun.
And as real estate agents, we're in the
perfect profession to reconnect almost at any time.

(06:09):
So take the walk between showings, sit outside
with your coffee, touch the earth, come back
to who you are.
Now let's make this practical.
Here are five things you can do this
week.
One, set 45 minute blocks for deep work.
Turn the phone on airplane mode, and then
take a 15 minute break, and then do

(06:30):
another 45 minute block of work.
Number two, leave your phone outside the room
during client meetings.
Prep what you need ahead of time, so
you eliminate the excuse of, oh, I need
to check my phone to show the client
something.
Prepare.
Number three, after every showing, write down what
the client said and how they feel, even
if it's they dislike the property.

(06:50):
Write down why.
Don't assume you'll remember.
Knowing that will help you.
Number four, before every offer or negotiation call,
take a deep breath and listen first.
Breathe from your heart before you speak.
And lastly, take one walk in nature without
your phone.
That's it.
Focus just isn't a productivity hack.

(07:12):
It's a form of respect for others and
for yourself.
It shows your clients that you value them.
It shows you that you value yourself.
It creates better outcomes, and it brings peace
into your day.
Because here's the truth.
The more present you are, the more powerful

(07:33):
you become.
Thanks for tuning in to The Mindful Agent.
If this resonated with you, please share it
with a fellow agent or friend.
And remember, success starts within.
See you next time.
Thanks for joining me on this journey today.
I'm Michael Coxon, and this is The Mindful
Agent.
Join me next time as we continue to

(07:54):
explore the intersection of real estate, health, and
mindfulness.
Looking to grow your real estate career at
Magenta Real Estate, we put you first.
Our entire business is built around your well

(08:15):
-being and your success.
With 100% commission, powerful marketing tools, and
a supportive community that truly cares, success starts
within.
Visit joinmagenta.realestate today.