123: How to Battle Burnout in Real Estate with Carolyn Drane

Welcome to the Let’s Talk About Real Estate Podcast

This week’s episode features Carolyn Drane, and we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough -  How to Battle Burnout in Real Estate.

Carolyn has been in real estate for most of her life. She’s one of those agents who has truly been there and done it all. From owning her own successful business in Queensland for many years to now working with Elders in Victoria, she’s experienced the industry from every angle.

Licensed in both QLD and VIC, Carolyn also holds a Diploma in Business Management and is well known for her expertise in acreage, lifestyle, and equestrian properties. She has been recognised in the REB Top 50 Women in Real Estate, which speaks volumes about her dedication and success.

After decades of being self-employed and constantly running at full speed, Carolyn made a huge change,  she moved interstate, joined a new company, and rediscovered how to love real estate again, this time without the burnout.

When she’s not selling property, she’s spending time with her horses, riding through the mountains or along the beach, or helping others through equine-assisted therapy.

In This Episode

Carolyn shares insights from more than 30 years in real estate. What’s changed for the better, what hasn’t, and how the industry has evolved.

She talks about her experience running her own business, the pressures of being self-employed, and what burnout really looks like for a real estate agent.

She opens up about the moment she realised she couldn’t keep going at the same pace, the warning signs that she was heading toward burnout, and how stepping away helped her rebuild a healthier relationship with real estate.

Carolyn also discusses what helped her recover mentally and emotionally after years of running a high-pressure business and how her perspective has shifted since returning in a different role.

Starting Again (With Wisdom)

Now working in a corporate role with Elders, Carolyn talks about what that transition has been like after decades of being her own boss.

She explains why she says her new environment feels like “stepping back in time,” what “back to basics” means in her day-to-day, and what she would do differently if she were starting over in real estate today.

Balance, Numbers, and Perspective

Outside of work, Carolyn lives a rich life surrounded by her horses and lifestyle properties, and through her work in equine therapy, she helps others find balance too.

She shares her advice for agents who feel like they’re always “on,” why so many agents avoid knowing their numbers, and her thoughts on the difference between perception and reality in real estate.

Wisdom for Agents

For those who might be teetering on the edge of burnout, Carolyn offers heartfelt advice and wisdom on how to regain control, rediscover joy, and define success on their own terms.

She also shares how her definition of success has evolved and what she loves most about real estate today compared to when she first started.

Carolyn Drane
Elders Bairnsdale
📞 0418 283 762
📧 [e-mail]