If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “Ashley, you’re in real estate so you must get to set your own schedule, right?”
…well, let’s just say I could fund a few extra client gifts.
There’s this common assumption that real estate agents float through their days with total freedom — sipping coffee at 10 a.m., showing houses at 2 p.m., and wrapping up early for date night. It’s a lovely visual.
But here’s the truth, and every seasoned agent will agree with me:
Being a business owner gives you flexibility but not freedom from responsibility.
Working for yourself is both the best and hardest part of this career. And the schedule you “set” isn’t just about you, it’s about everyone who depends on you.
“You Must Get to Set Your Own Schedule, Right?”
I get this question all the time.
And my answer is always the same:
Yes… and no.
Technically, yes — I’m my own boss.
I don’t clock in at 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m.
No one emails me a task list for the day.
There’s no supervisor waiting for an update.
But my schedule? It’s not mine.
It belongs to:
- My clients, who trust me to represent their largest financial asset.
- My family, who needs me for school drop-offs, doctor appointments, and the never-ending snack requests.
- My team, who counts on me for decisions, content, approvals, and leadership.
So while I technically get to control my time, the truth is that my day is shaped by the people I serve.
A single Tuesday might include:
5:00am – wake up, check emails, schedule text message responses that came in overnight
6:00am – cook breakfast for kids, get everyone dresses, pack lunches and backpacks with the neverending signed slips and “don’t forget to bring”
7:15am – brush teeth, load everyone in the car
7:30am – drop off at school # 1
7:45am – drop off at school # 2
8:00am – urgent client calls and emails
8:30am – dishes, start laundry (I have 4 littles, so the dishwasher and the washing machine are the hardest working items in this house!)
The following hours could contain any number of assorted activities:
Professional coaching, filming social media content, new listing photo shoot, writing contracts, contract negotiations, new buyer consultation appointments, buyer showings, listing consultations, going to the gym.
6:00pm – pick up from school #1
6:15pm – pick up from school #2
6:30pm – dinner, bath, homework
7:30pm – put kiddo # 4 to bed
7:45pm – put kiddo #3 to bed
8:00pm – put kiddos #1 and #2 to bed
8:15pm – return client calls from those who got off work and need to discuss urgent (contract) negotiations
9:00pm – check the mail, switch the laundry, take out the trash cans, sweep the floor, pick up the house, clean the bathrooms, fold the laundry, catch up on personal items/emails
11:00pm – go to bed
Some days run smoothly. Others feel like organized chaos in a blizzard.
But the beauty is: I get to choose the chaos.
Structure = Freedom
Here’s the part most people don’t realize:
Real freedom doesn’t come from having no schedule.
It comes from creating one, and sticking to it.
When you own your business, you can’t just “wing it.”
No one is coming to hold you accountable.
No one is telling you when to follow up.
No one is reminding you that your pipeline needs attention.
Discipline becomes the job.
And structure becomes the lifeline.
And yes — structure applies to every area of business, not just time management. From planning your week to strategically pricing listings, success comes from clarity and intention. If you want a deeper dive into how strategy affects your results, check out:
The Psychology of Pricing Homes — a must-read for sellers who want to understand how the right price impacts speed, perception, and profit.
Morning Discipline
Most of my days start early (sometimes very early).
Before emails start buzzing and the kids wake up, I map out the day:
- What deadlines are today?
- Which clients need updates?
- What marketing must be completed?
- What appointments are locked in?
- What logistics need to happen for my family?
If I don’t look ahead and plan intentionally, the day runs me instead of me running it.
Morning clarity is how I protect my energy and how I stay proactive instead of reactive.
Client Hours vs. Family Hours
This is where boundaries become crucial.
When I’m with clients, I am fully present.
When I’m with my kids, I try to be present there, too.
It doesn’t always go perfectly — no working parent has nailed the balance 100% of the time, but clear expectations keep me grounded.
Time-blocking allows me to say:
“This is client time.”
“This is family time.”
“This is content + backend systems time.”
Does it always go according to plan?Absolutely not.
But having a plan gives me something to come back to every single day. And the DND feature on my phone is helpful too.
The Paradox of Self-Employment
Here’s the reality:
Working for yourself is the hardest thing because everything falls on you.
But it’s also the best thing because everything falls on you.
It’s empowering and overwhelming.
It’s flexible and demanding.
It’s freeing and exhausting.
But if you learn to protect your time, structure your priorities, and honor your boundaries…
you get to build a life you love.
There are no two days that are alike. This job is never boring, and that’s the reward.
Why Boundaries Build Better Service
This might surprise you but the more I respect my own schedule, the better I serve my clients.
Here’s why:
- Clear boundaries prevent burnout.
Clients deserve a clear-headed agent, not a frazzled one. - Time-blocking increases responsiveness.
When I plan well, I communicate better. - Prioritizing family makes me better at my job.
A healthy home = a stronger professional presence. - Intentional scheduling means fewer dropped balls.
Real estate has too many moving parts for guesswork.
So yes, I set my own schedule but I also honor it like my business depends on…it because it does.
Client Testimonial
“Ashley did an amazing job helping us find and purchase our new home. She takes the time to understand what is important to her clients, gives clear/thoughtful guidance, and makes the entire process feel easy. Once we were under contract with a home we loved, Ashley and her team executed the deal flawlessly. She is very responsive, knows the market well, has a ton of connections that come in handy, and was always in our court. Highly recommend.” — Brian McIlhenny
FAQs — Real Estate & Time Management
1. Do real estate agents really make their own schedules?
Technically yes, but consistency and structure are what separate hobbyists from professionals. The most successful agents time-block their days around client needs, deadlines, and marketing.
2. What’s the hardest part about setting your own schedule?
The lack of boundaries. When your business depends on relationships, momentum, and communication, it’s tempting to always be “on.” It’s also tempting to take time off because “I’ve earned it”. But before you know it, one day turns into one week, and then you’re no longer hitting your goals. Intentional limits are crucial.
3. How do you balance work and family?
With very clear priorities, scheduling discipline, and a whole lot of grace.
Some days feel seamless. Some days fall apart. Both are normal.
4. What helps Ashley stay productive?
Planning ahead, saying “no” when necessary, automating backend tasks, and surrounding herself with the right support team. Every system is intentionally designed to protect her time.
5. What’s the best part of being self-employed?
Freedom with purpose.The ability to build a life that supports both clients and kids, not one at the expense of the other.
Work With a REALTOR® Who Balances Heart & Hustle
At the HART Realty Team, organization meets authenticity, systems meet heart, and discipline meets service.
You get an agent who respects your time because she’s learned how to respect her own.
Visit HART RealtyTeam to work with someone who knows how to balance heart, hustle, and home to make your real estate journey feel supported from start to finish.
