I am a disorganized insurance agent will my customers forgive me?

Question

Hello I am an insurance agent with a horrible case of bad time management and disorganization. I am a good person and am not rude or disrespectful to my customers but because of the above issues I am losing clients. I need to hire someone but I can't afford it. I am missing phone calls and not calling back in a timely fashion. (not because I don't care but because I don't have priorities. I just had a baby and I am torn to be with her too. (That is also why my business is flailing) I am behind on my paperwork and people are starting to get pist. Will I ever be redeemable to my customers if I turn around my disorganized life around? Or should I give up on owning my company and let someone else and give better service to my clients. (It does take time to change) I am really sick over this more for my clients though. What should I do?

Answer 1

Sometimes it's easier, to sort things out on paper. Just sit down with a piece of paper, and figure out what all your options are. Make three columns, label the first one, "options", and the second one "cons", and the third one "pro's". Under options, write an idea, of what you could do,or want to do, under "cons", ask yourself 'whats the worst thing that could happen if I do it, & write down what you'll do about it if it does. Then under "pro's", ask yourself, what would be the best thing that could happen if I do, do it, and rate your feelings about it, on a scale from 1-10,

This technique really does help put things in perspective when you get in a jam. It helps you see your options, make decisions when you're stuck, and helps stir up ideas. It also gives you a plan, It's helped me many times. After you practice it for awhile, when you get into a jam, you automatically ask yourself, "ok what are my options here" and make a list in your head. It helps with organization skills, problem solving, planning, decision making, relationship matters, setting priorities. You can apply it to most anything.

A really good counsellor gave this technique to me, 20 years ago, because I couldn't seen to get any area of my life into balance. It was either too much time over here or not enough effort over there. I was totally unorganized, behind on everything, things would build up and I would put them off because I didn't know what to do. I couldn't decide. In the meantime, worse got worse. He had me start with whatever was the most important thing to me, at that moment. And deal with that. It teaches you to focus on your options, and not your problem.

One option might be to cut back else where on spending, or leisures, or only hire someone part-time Another option might be, a different line of sales work, if that's what you like, or another company. Or maybe take a break from it for awhile, and do something different entirely. You might also include the pros and cons about being an insurance agent, what it means to you, how it affects you, others, etc.

Maybe you're not sure what you want But that's ok. I would just stick with doing what you know you're good at. And just remind yourself again, why is, that you chose this type of work to begin with.

You know, there's nothing written in stone that says you HAVE to stay where you started, and succeed at everything. Nobody's good at everything. But everybody's good at something. If you don't want the headache, maybe try something else for awhile. It's not like you can't come back to it later if you decide to. You got these customers, you;ll get more. But if it's taking away from what you really want in life, & stealing the joy out of living, it's not worth it. It's certainly not worth making yourself sick over.

Someone once said,"If you want something you've never had before, you've got to do something, you've never done before" --my prayers are with you , God Bless................

Answer 2

I think what you need is better time management. Prioritize your to do list everyday and get those important phone calls and paperwork out of the way first before you do anything else. Your customers have put some important issues in your hands and you owe it to them to help them in a timely manner. It is surprising how quickly you can get things done when you prioritize. If you feel like it's too much with a new baby, then i'd say put your family first if you can afford to let go of your business. That decision has to be yours. I would try getting yourself more organized through prioritizing first. I think it will really help you get things done and have more time for personal things. Good luck, I hope all works out for the best.

Answer 3

Hi, I am also an insurance agent and had the same problems you are experiencing. My desk and business life was a mess.

In 1995 I began using an Agency Management System called "Your Insurance Office". It has totally turned everything around. The website is www.YourInsuranceOffice.com

If I can be of further help please let me know. Don't give up. If I turned things around you can too.

Frank

Answer 4

I know that you say that you do not have $$$, How about an intern of sorts, or a min wage school worker (extra cash) There are also several help guides online free of charge, Please get some sort of help, your family is at stake

Answer 5

get your priorities straight , you will be lucky if you dont get sued

Answer 6

hmmmm....NOT in new orleans. ---jim s.