You are a Realtor, and only if you love technology should you spend large amounts of your day on your computer tweaking programs when you should be listing, working with buyers or and otherwise working toward closings. In other words, spend the most time on activities that bring in income.

While some Realtors have made a lot of money using their computers, for most Realtors the learning curve is still fairly steep. If you are one of those, you need someone you can call on to help when a program doesn’t work or when you have a new computer and you want to transfer data. A techie can also learn new programs for you and then teach them to you. They can teach you time-saving tips including keyboarding shortcuts that will help you save time using any program.

You need a gopher - someone to delegate and/or outsource the $15 an hour and under stuff that isn’t the highest and best use of your time. You can spread the wealth over several people/services to do jobs like putting signs in people's yards, updating your database, handling your mail-outs, etc.

Whether it is real estate-specific, such as Top Producer or basic software such as ACT or Outlook, building your databases and being able to sort groups is critical. These databases are the gold you’ll be mining for the coming years . Build multiple databases including other local agents who specialize in areas, types of buyers and types of clients that don’t fit your skills, agents to refer to, people that fit in your niches, by demographics, and by interests, etc.

Some agents also sort their buyers and sellers by whether they are short or long-term leads, and then execute lead retention software accordingly. See #7.

Build a national network of referral agents whose standards are as high as yours. CRS, WCR and fellow ePRO’s are all groups to consider. But don’t forget to list yourself in many non-real estate rosters-your chamber of commerce, alumni associations, trade groups and hobby groups.

New digital cameras allow you to record videos and sound and give you several ways to save. The uses for digital photography are as numerous as your imagination, but one thing is certain - pictures help sell houses.

You should have the capability to create your own tours online immediately, burn CD’s and the discs to hand out. Learn to incorporate sound as well as video.

You don't need to write your own newsletter (again you sell real estate, you're not James Michener or Danielle Steele) - there are great newsletter or automated follow-up systems to stay in contact with past clients, new clients, contacts who are not ready yet, and your sphere of influence. A wonderful example of a 21st Century newsletter is the Realty Times newsletter The Real Estate Update. Use it to capture leads whereever you meet people - online or off. Ask people for their e-mail addresses and offer to follow-up with the latest real estate news and advice. Don't call it a newsletter.

Check out the new Handspring TREO which combines the functions of a PDA with a cell phone and the ability to surf the web for $399! Learn to beam your virtual tour to your client!

Don’t be the Lone Ranger….Build a huge network of people who you can collaborate with, learn from, share leads with and who expect the very best from you! Coaching is available by phone and e-mail - so there's no reason not to take advantage of a coach's expertise.

“God, grant me the ability to prioritize what I can’t delegate, the courage to say 'NO!' when I need to, and the wisdom to know when I should go home.”