An insurance agent’s time is not their own. Every day, agents must balance new business with insurance claims and dealing with inquiries or complaints. In addition to this, they must time their renewals just right and introduce new products when relevant. They must upsell and cross-sell and meet their monthly targets. All in all, it is just not an easy career to choose.
Fortunately, using the right tools and strategies, insurance agents can take control of each day. They can boost their weekly productivity and achieve their sales goals. If you’re teetering on the edge of burnout as an insurance agent, the following time management strategies will help you get things done without the added stress:
Learning How to Prioritize
Being busy is not the same as being productive. If you get more things done in the morning, set up your to-do list between 8 am and 1 pm. Ignore your emails during those hours (if possible) and only focus on tasks that will help you reach your goals.
Remember the 80/20 rule. You don’t need to work on everything every day. Instead, focus on the most important 20% of work that drives 80% of your success. Other mundane tasks can wait another day or you can delegate them.
The best way to prioritize your day is to follow a calendar or to-do list. Set up your deadlines according to urgency and work towards a realistic timeframe. Specific online tools can help you do this, and they will send you reminders for each task.
Find Ways to Incorporate the Latest Technology
Technology exists to make your life easier. Use this to your advantage and to complete tasks faster. For instance, a CRM system can help you gain an overview of client policies and safely store client data and communication. You can also invest in automation tools that will help you streamline and automate repetitive, time-consuming work.
However, even if you rely on technology to manage your time, you must eliminate distractions. Use a website blocker to help you avoid wasting time on non-work-related sites, put your phone on silent, and turn off notifications. Being fully present while completing your tasks will allow you to get through them faster and minimize the risk of errors.
Set Up a Workspace That Works for You
Are you forever fiddling with your chair’s settings or balancing your laptop’s screen display? This may seem like minor irritations, but focusing on them can waste a lot of time. Whether you work from home or in an office, you must invest in a chair and desk combination that allows you to sit down and work immediately. Get an ergonomic chair that maximizes comfort and encourages good posture. Back pain is not a joke, and if you sit in an uncomfortable chair all day, you will suffer from pain at night.
Also, you must take breaks, even if it seems counterintuitive. Taking regular breaks helps you refocus on the tasks at hand and can even help prevent burnout.
Moreover, you must have a clean and efficient workspace. Desk clutter leads to distractions. Clean your desk every day before shutting down your computer. Add a little personalization, like a potted plant and family photos. Hang inspirational quotes on the wall. Creating a positive atmosphere and environment is as important as getting a great desk and chair.
Feeling comfortable and motivated inside your workspace will help you focus and get more done.
Learn How to Focus
Working in short bursts is more productive than trying to power through hours of work. Try working in 25-minute intervals without being distracted. Take a 5 to 10-minute break between each interval. Doing this will help you concentrate better and focus on each task individually. Do not try to do five things at the same time. List your tasks in order of urgency and work through each one.
Most importantly, learn to say “no” to tasks that will overload your schedule. You have targets and goals to achieve, and you will not be able to do that if you are always working on other projects. Protect the few work hours you must grow in your career and build customer trust.
Invest in Yourself
You can only make the most of your time and succeed as an insurance agent if you take care of and invest in yourself. Learn new methods and how to work with new technologies. Attend industry conferences to learn from others in your niche.
Also, look after your body and mind by eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. You will be far more productive if you feel well. If you feel like you are struggling to get through your workload, ask for help from colleagues and mentors. Delegate where possible, and work with your colleagues to lessen the load.
Make the Most of What Is Available To You
Experiment with these strategies until you find a workflow that best supports you. You can always add or take away some of these steps until you are comfortable that your process is helping you reach your targets. Do this to reclaim your time and keep achieving your insurance goals.