Transform Family Time with a Simple Habit

By Nick Waldner

Nick started and leads the #1 KW Team in all of Maryland and DC, selling over 400 homes a year! With 20+ years in the industry, he is the leading expert in Maryland!

Ready to transform how you show up for your family after a busy day? As a real estate agent, I usually discuss property matters, but today, I want to focus on something just as important: family. How can we be fully present for our loved ones after a hectic workday?

Creating a cue for positive habits. I realized that if we want to develop a positive habit, we need a cue—something that triggers the behavior we want to adopt. For instance, if I want to go to the gym every morning, my alarm clock is my cue. My workout clothes are next to my bed, so I can roll right into that habit when I wake up. But what about creating a habit of coming home? Think about it: At work, whether I’m talking to buyers or sellers, coaching my team, or mentoring other agents, I’m fully engaged. I’m listening intently, offering advice, and striving to help others achieve their goals. By the time I get home, I’m often exhausted. It’s easy to walk through the door and want to do nothing—giving my family the leftover scraps of my energy and attention. I realized my family was getting the worst version of me, and that needed to change.

Applying the habit to family time. In a coaching call with one of my agents, we discussed creating a cue to remind ourselves to be present with our families. For me, that cue is my garage door. Pulling into the garage, I turn off the car and sit for two to three minutes. I use this time to set my intention: Who do I want to be when I walk through that door?

The 15-minute focus. I want to be excited when my son says, “Daddy, I made a hot air balloon in class today!” I want to listen attentively when my wife shares her list of things we must tackle that evening. I want to scoop up my daughter when she toddles over to me, even though she can’t speak yet. So, I’ve made it a habit to dedicate the first 15 minutes after I get home entirely to my family. I set a timer on my phone, and during that time, I’m fully engaged—no checking emails, no responding to texts. I’m just being the best version of myself for the people I care about most. And you know what? After those 15 minutes, everyone feels heard and appreciated. My kids are off playing, my wife feels connected, and I can attend to any remaining work, knowing I’ve given my family my best.

Are you ready to give your family the best of you rather than what’s left of you? As a real estate agent, I spend my day finding people their dream homes, but none of that matters if I come home and check out mentally. The house may be perfect, but its presence makes it a home. So, here’s my challenge: try that garage door moment. And those 15 minutes? They might just be the most crucial part of your day. After all, you spend your workday building relationships—why not make sure the ones that matter most get the same effort?

If you have any questions about this habit or about real estate, feel free to call me at (410) 726-7364. I’m here to help you show up as the best version of yourself.