A Conversation on Balance, Mental Health, and Supporting One Another

Three members of the Member Engagement Committee recently spoke with Ruby Nolt of R Nolt Consulting. Ruby is an executive coach and consultant who works with high-performing leaders and executives, helping them navigate professional success while maintaining personal well-being. During our conversation, she shared thoughtful guidance on maintaining balance and protecting mental health, especially in high-pressure professions like real estate.

Here are some highlights of the conversation:

The Challenge of Asking for Help

Many successful professionals, including Realtors, feel pressure to always appear confident, capable, and in control. As such, they may find it difficult to acknowledge a need for help when it is most needed. Ruby notes that this mindset can make it difficult to ask for help when it is most needed.

She offers a simple but powerful perspective: every “yes” requires a “no.” When we say yes to success, productivity, or maintaining a certain image, we are inevitably saying no to something else—whether that’s time with family, personal values, or our own well-being.

Understanding your core values is critical. When you are clear about what matters most, it becomes easier to align your commitments accordingly. Saying yes should move you toward the person you want to become and reflect the values you hold most important.

When You’re Not in the Right Headspace

Real estate can be fast-paced and demanding. When professionals feel overwhelmed or mentally drained, Ruby recommends focusing on small, intentional changes-what she calls micro shifts.

A micro shift is a small, repeatable behavior that can be practiced daily to create positive momentum. For example:

• Establish boundaries around communication, such as limiting when you check or respond to calls.
• Protect personal time, even if that means skipping an open house or scheduling a rest day.
• Set tangible goals that support what matters most to you.

If your goal is to spend more time with family, a practical step might be putting your phone down for an hour each evening and being fully present during that time.

Ruby also recommends grounding techniques when emotions run high. One effective exercise involves engaging your five senses: identify five things you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Taking a moment to breathe and refocus can help restore clarity.

Another key reminder: not everything is a crisis. Before reacting immediately, pause and ask yourself, What is the worst-case scenario if this waits? Typically, the world continues just fine while you take a moment to reset.

Showing Up at Your Best

To perform well professionally, personal well-being must come first. Ruby encourages professionals to care for the full spectrum of their health—physical, mental, spiritual, and relational.

Taking time to address personal challenges outside of work allows you to show up more fully and effectively in your professional life. One helpful practice is reflecting on gratitude and daily wins both before going to bed and when waking up. This mindset shift can foster perspective and resilience. There are times when the brain needs to be retrained to identify the positives instead of negative self-talk.

Normalizing Conversations About Stress and Burnout

One of the most important steps toward improving mental health in professional environments is normalizing honest conversations.

Many people hesitate to be genuine out of fear of judgment. However, Ruby points out that authenticity often opens the door for others to do the same. Sharing your story and experiences may provide reassurance to someone else who is struggling.

Accountability also plays a role. Leaders and colleagues alike should take time to genuinely check in with one another. Rather than a quick “How are you?” followed by moving on, pause long enough to ask sincerely and listen to the answer. It can also mean gently challenging a quick or superficial “I’m good” response and taking the extra moment to see if it reflects how someone truly feels.

Creating an environment where colleagues feel seen and supported builds stronger relationships and a healthier workplace culture.

Supporting a Community Through Loss

When a community experiences the loss of a member, it is important not to avoid the conversation. Ignoring grief can make it feel like an unspoken presence that lingers.

Ruby suggests acknowledging the loss openly and offering support through resources such as grief counselors, pastoral care, and other professional services. Providing space for people to process emotions is essential.

It is equally important to continue checking in with those affected in the weeks and months that follow. Often, when life appears to return to normal, individuals may still be struggling. When someone is grieving, allow them the space to do so in fashion that is comfortable to them.

Honoring the memory of those we have lost—through remembrance, conversation, or simply allowing others to share their memories—can be an important part of healing.

One Final Piece of Advice

When asked to offer the most important advice she could give professionals in a single sentence, Ruby’s answer was simple and powerful:

“Know what really matters.”

As Realtors, we work in a profession built on relationships, service, and trust. Taking care of our own well-being ensures that we can continue to serve our clients, our colleagues, and our communities with the compassion and professionalism they deserve.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that support is available. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of strength.

The fine print:

The information shared in this article is intended for general awareness, reflection, and community support. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. The insights and suggestions provided are not a substitute for guidance from licensed mental health professionals, medical providers, or counselors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing significant emotional distress, here are some resources:

Crisis Intervention: 717-394-2631 available 24/7

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 available 24/7

Lancaster County Warm Line: 717-945-9976 2pm-10pm

To learn more about Ruby Nolt, visit her website: https://www.rnoltconsulting.com/