I read a profile that said.......I am available 24 hours/day via cell phone. That got me to thinking, why would anyone want to work 24 hours/day? When you have a legal question at 3am, are you able to call your attorney at that time? If your tooth is aching, is your dentist available? What if your vision seems a little blurry, can you call your eye doctor and pop over to his house for a check up? I don't think so. So why in the real estate game would any one think they should be available 24 hours/day?
My priorities go something like this.......God, Family, Business, Everything else. We all need time to ourselves. My family certainly needs time with me. If i am working 24 hours/day, when do they get their time. I won't get into a religious discussion, but God also demands some of my time. And then there is time for myself. Like in this photo, I was celebrting my birthday with my family and friends. A surprise set up by my wife. 
Notice the racing stripes on the cake.....she knows I am a huge Nascar fan and #17 (yellow & black) is my #1 Driver.
And how about this picture where I was having a good time with the wife in Florida. Certainly, my clients knew I was on vacation and my partners would take good care of them in my absence. 
So my advice to all is take some for yourself. When potential clients ask if you are available 24 hours/day, you can emphatically say NO! However, I will give you the best care and attention that is available. And when I do, you will have no problem referring me to your family and friend and people you care about. As a real estate consultant, that is how I build my business. It has worked so far for me. I hope it works for you also. Good Luck,
Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant
Some day we will all be converted to androids (like in Star Trek) and we can work tirelessly. Not me though. I do try to be available during those odd hours when my clients need assistance. The remoteness of my market means that buyers often must drive long distances to get here and long distances to get back home (We are about 3 hours from any airport with commercial planes.) So, even if someone flies to a "nearby" airport, there is still a long trek in to Modoc County. I know the challenges of getting here, I originally lived in San Joaquin County - 6 hours away. A long and exhausting drive. So, my client wants to meet with me at 7:00 pm on Friday night -- no problem. Want to meet with me at 6:00 am on Sunday morning before heading home -- ok, but I might be a little sleepy. :)
Agree with you. Agents get caught in this issue because they feel is they are not available the client will go elsewhere. And that might be true, but one can't possibly be available 24/7. As you say other professions would never say that.
Hi, Leander! You're right, we have to set the parameters that consumers can respect. I think they do understand that we're just like them who take vacations and spend time with God, family and others. We need personal down time to provide great service to consumers.
Leander, Good post. I refuse to be available 24 hrs a day. I do have a life after RE, and if people don't understand that, they can call someone else in the middle of the night with a silly question. LOL.
Morning Leander,
To indicate one is available 24/7 would make me question their honesty. No one can be that available. Yes, I can be reached to the extent that my voice mail will take your message and I will get back to you during normal hours of business.
Leander, sounds like you have your priorities straight! Take time for the important things - then give your clients your best when you're with them.