7 Ways To Detox Your Professional Life And Take Back Your Sanity

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Listen, I’m a listing and sales coach. That’s my lane. My job is to help agents master skills, earn more listings, communicate with clients (without feeling “salesy”) and build a business that actually supports their life — not drains the life out of them. 

But let’s be real: Lately, coaching conversations aren’t just about scripts and strategies. More and more, agents are asking, “How do I stay sane in this business? How do I deal with toxic colleagues, unrealistic clients and all the negativity coming at us like a Mack truck every day?” 

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So much so that I even recently did a webinar on the topic, “How to Stay Sane in 2025 Without Day Drinking,” which was a funny title for a serious topic that a lot of agents needed to hear. 

Let’s face it — real estate can feel like the Wild West some days, especially in the last year or so. If you’re not careful, the toxicity in your work life can sneak up on you, draining your energy, killing your motivation and leaving you stuck in survival mode.

But here’s the thing: You are not powerless in this. You have more control than you think. So, if you’re ready to cut out the toxicity and reclaim your peace of mind, I’ve got a few ideas I’d love to share. 

1. Set boundaries like your business depends on it (because it does)

If you’re available 24/7, guess what? People will take you up on that offer. Toxicity thrives when there are no boundaries. 

• How to do it: Decide when you’re “on” and when you’re “off.” Maybe you don’t check emails after 7 p.m., or maybe client calls don’t happen during dinner. I get wanting to jump on every minute of every opportunity, but you get to set the rules that work for you, communicate them and stick to them.
• Why it works: When you don’t protect your time, no one else will. Boundaries aren’t just for your sanity — they make you a better agent, a better negotiator, and frankly, a better human. It’s funny how, when you set the guidelines that respect time for yourself, others will fall into that rhythm as well. 

2. Pinpoint the source of the chaos

You can’t fix what you don’t understand. Is it an energy-sucking colleague? Clients with zero respect for your time? A constant state of overwhelm? Fear and uncertainty?

• How to do it: Pay attention to what’s draining you. Keep a journal for a week. What situations, people, or tasks trigger stress or frustration?
• Why it works: Once you pinpoint the problem, you can actually do something about it — whether that means addressing it head-on, making a shift, or deciding that some relationships just aren’t worth your peace.

3. Control what you can (and stop stressing about the rest)

Here’s a hard truth: You can’t control the market. You can’t control a difficult client. You can’t control that agent who just loves making your life harder. But you can control how you respond.

• How to do it: Stop engaging in drama. Choose where you put your energy. If a conversation is heading south, redirect it, or walk away.
• Why it works: The moment you stop giving power to things outside your control, you free up energy for what actually moves the needle in your business and life.

4. Surround yourself with the right people

Have you ever noticed how some people make you feel exhausted just by talking to them? Yeah, you don’t need that. My mom used to say, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are.” She was right — the company we keep has a direct correlation to our mood, our direction and, yes, our success. 

• How to do it: Spend more time with people who challenge you in a good way — mentors, supportive colleagues and clients who respect your expertise. Spend less time with those who bring nothing but stress and chaos.
• Why it works: Mom was right — you are who you surround yourself with. So, if you’re hanging around negativity, it’s going to seep into your business and mindset. It’s time to upgrade your circle.

5. Train your brain to find the good

Look, it’s easy to get caught up in the hard stuff — difficult deals, unappreciative clients, endless paperwork. But the agents who thrive are the ones who train themselves to focus on what’s working.

• How to do it: Start your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. Big or small — it doesn’t matter. We do this weekly on our coaching calls and have everyone celebrate their wins. Building a habit of noticing the good increases your “happiness baseline,” which is good for your soul — and your business!
• Why it works: When your brain is wired for gratitude, you’ll find more things to be grateful for. And when you’re operating from that mindset, you show up stronger, more confident and more resilient.

6. Speak up or stay stuck

One of the biggest reasons toxicity thrives? Because people don’t address it. They just swallow it, hoping it’ll go away. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.

• How to do it: If a client, colleague, or even a broker is crossing the line, call it out — professionally, but firmly. “Hey, I’ve noticed [behavior], and it’s making it tough to work effectively. Can we talk about a better way to handle this?”
• Why it works: Toxicity hates accountability. The moment you stop tolerating it, things start changing.

7. Take care of you (seriously, stop neglecting this)

You can’t be a great agent, leader, parent or anything else if you’re constantly running on empty.

• How to do it: Schedule time for what fuels you — whether that’s exercise, meditation, reading or just sitting in silence for five minutes without your phone buzzing.
• Why it works: The better you feel, the better you perform. And when you’re at your best, you handle stress and setbacks like a pro instead of letting them take you down.

You have more power than you think

Here’s the deal — detoxing your work life isn’t just about eliminating what’s bad. It’s about creating an environment where you can actually thrive. That means setting boundaries, cutting out what drains you and focusing on what fuels you.

Because at the end of the day, this business (and your life) is too important to let toxicity run the show.

So, what’s one thing you can start doing today to take back control? Pick one, commit to it, and watch how everything starts to shift.

Darryl Davis is the CEO of Darryl Davis Seminars. Connect with him on Facebook or YouTube.