A business plan is the roadmap all business owners need to navigate entrepreneurship. However, creating a business plan isn’t as common in real estate as other industries. Real estate agents often jump into the work of representing buyers and sellers and may be left feeling aimless when faced with inevitable obstacles in growing.

Years ago, when I (Ivey) first started my real estate career, I began my business planning for the coming year in late October or early November.

In real estate, as in life, it’s easy to stretch yourself thin. Often, as you strive for success, you try to be the expert in every part of your field rather than zoning in on your strengths. When you find the intersection of what sparks joy and what you're best at, you’re working smarter instead of harder. But how do you find that niche?