Finding Work-Life Balance in a Fast-Paced Mortgage Industry–Mary Kay Scully from Enact

Mary Kay Scully is Director of Customer Education at Enact, leading the development of the company’s customer education curriculum. In this role, she trains over 7,500 professionals per year on a wide range of topics, including TRID, updates to process improvements, and how to navigate and adhere to evolving compliance requirements. With over two decades of experience at Enact, Mary Kay also has served as an E-Business Development Manager, Director of Customer Education and Organizational Effectiveness, and as a Service Center Manager. The statements in this article are solely the opinions of Mary Kay Scully and do not necessarily reflect the views of Enact or its management.

As mental health becomes an increasingly important focus in today’s workplace, achieving a healthy work-life balance has never been more relevant.

According to Lyra, in 2023, 94% of benefits leaders believed mental health benefits were “very important” to prospective employees, a striking increase from 36% in 2022. The importance of this shift is especially clear as you find yourself reflecting on both professional and personal priorities for 2025. Striking the right balance between work and personal life isn’t just about well-being; it’s essential for long-term success in a demanding industry.

Understanding Work-Life Balance and Its Importance

Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between time spent on professional responsibilities and personal activities. In today’s mortgage landscape, where competition is fierce and the pressure to close deals quickly is omnipresent, maintaining this balance can seem like an impossible task. But finding that harmony is crucial for both personal satisfaction and career longevity.

Mortgage professionals face mounting pressures. Increased competition requires quick turnaround times, often leaving little room for downtime. In this race to win business and deliver exceptional service, professionals frequently sacrifice their well-being. Borrowers are more demanding, especially in a competitive market where limited inventory means high-stakes decisions. In these moments, it’s essential for loan officers (LOs) to step back and prioritize their mental health.

Alarmingly, mental health concerns within the mortgage industry are on the rise. Recent surveys by the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter show that 21% of professionals in the field rate their mental health as “poor” or “of concern,” up from 16% in 2023. As the pressure mounts, so does the need to create and enforce boundaries that protect emotional and mental health.

Setting Boundaries in a 24/7 World

The expectation for immediate response is becoming the norm, particularly in an era of rapid digital communication. A survey by HubSpot reveals that over 80% of consumers expect a quick response to marketing or sales inquiries. In the mortgage industry, this translates to professionals being “on-call” constantly, contributing to stress and burnout. It’s easy to forget that behind the numbers and contracts are real people making life-changing financial decisions. The stress felt by borrowers often transfers to mortgage professionals, leading to a cycle of heightened demand for immediate answers.

In this fast-paced environment, it’s vital for LOs to set and communicate clear boundaries. Here are some practical tips to help:

Identify your priorities – Determine what’s most important, both professionally and personally and focus on those aspects

Set realistic expectations – Be clear with clients and colleagues about when you are available and what they can expect

Communicate clearly – Transparency is key in preventing misunderstandings and managing expectations

Establish work-hour limits – Protect your personal time by being firm about when your workday ends

Engage with clients about communication preferences – By understanding their preferred methods and times for communication, you can create a more manageable schedule.

Personal Development Goals

Balancing work with personal goals is not just about saying “no” to overtime or client demands. It is also about fostering your own physical and mental well-being. No matter how busy work gets, maintaining your health and relationships should remain a priority. Investing in personal connections can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. According to Corporate Wellness Magazine, strong personal relationships offer emotional support, reduce stress and even enhance physical health.

Moreover, cultivating these relationships is not just good for your personal life; it can boost your career. People prefer to do business with those they know, like and trust. Building rapport with clients requires quality time, something that is only possible when personal life isn’t constantly overshadowed by work.

Managing time effectively is critical to maintaining this balance. It is okay to decline certain opportunities or set limits on your availability. You can’t do everything and choosing activities that align with your personal goals will ultimately lead to better outcomes. By sticking to your priorities, you’ll stay on top of your schedule and create room for self-care.

Technology Boundaries

While work is often the primary challenge to balance, technology also plays a role in disrupting personal time. Social media, constant notifications and the allure of digital distractions can easily pull focus away from personal goals. Setting boundaries with technology is just as important as setting limits at work.

Here are some tips to help manage tech distractions:

Set rules – Establish specific times for checking emails or scrolling through social media

Create screen-free zones – Designate areas in your home where technology is off-limits

Schedule screen-free hours – Give yourself breaks from devices, especially during meals or personal activities

Make time for other activities – Replace screen time with hobbies, exercise or social interactions

Work Development Goals

Maintaining work-life balance also means setting professional development goals that align with personal well-being. While you don’t want to be all work and no play, it’s equally important to avoid being all play and no work. A balanced approach means giving attention to both.

Mortgage professionals should adopt a forward-thinking mindset, embracing new technologies and products to stay competitive in the industry. Exploring new tools that streamline workflows can ultimately save time, allowing for more personal downtime. Building and maintaining strong client relationships is also vital for professional growth. Clear, consistent communication strengthens these connections while also reinforcing the boundaries that preserve work-life balance.

Achieving a work-life balance isn’t just a lofty ideal – it’s a strategic approach to success. By setting boundaries, nurturing relationships and embracing both personal and professional goals, LOs can ensure long-term success without sacrificing their well-being. While it is still early in the year, take the opportunity to assess your current balance and set actionable goals for improvement.

Cara Delevingne captured it perfectly: “When you have balance in your life, work becomes an entirely different experience. There is a passion that moves you to a whole new level of fulfillment and gratitude, and that’s when you can do your best, for yourself and for others.”

(Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect policies of the Mortgage Bankers Association, nor do they connote an MBA endorsement of a specific company, product or service. MBA NewsLink welcomes submissions from member firms. Inquiries can be sent to Editor Michael Tucker or Editorial Manager Anneliese Mahoney.)