Mortgage-broker Tim Smith has built a successful career over the past 40 years. The Bloomfield Hills resident has been one of the state’s top loan producers, closing more than $100 million in business annually in his role with Birmingham’s First Merchants Bank.
But while Smith has dedicated most of his life to providing his clients with great service, he says the key to success is more than long hours — it’s finding a work-life balance that brings fulfillment outside of the office. This, he says, not only leads to more personal happiness, but also increases productivity and focus in the workplace.
“I think as you step away sometimes, you gain energy to come back into it and do a better job at it when you take a break from time to time,” he says.
Throughout his career, Smith has developed a rich personal life, raising two sons with his wife, participating in triathlons and, most recently, playing pickleball. He and his family are also avid travelers and especially enjoy outdoor adventures. They have hiked all over the world, including Machu Picchu in Peru and glaciers in Argentina, as well as domestically at the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion Park.
“[Work-life balance] is just finding something that brings you joy outside of the work environment and dedicating time to it,” he says.
With busy work schedules, deadlines and responsibilities, the task can be easier said than done, but Smith says it’s important to prioritize personal time as well. For him, that means making time for himself by blocking off parts of his calendar to make “appointments” to enjoy other parts of his life.
“Those appointments are just as important as an appointment with a client or a referral source,” he says, “and if you stick to that, you’re going to get a better work-life balance.”
Respecting that balance with employees is also important, he says. It builds stronger employee relationships and increases retention and productivity. All of Smith’s team has been with him for more than a decade and work well together, anticipating needs and supporting one another. While he doesn’t require his team to go above and beyond, he says the mutual respect pays off.
“My team gives me a 125 percent every day, and they are motivated, and they are encouraged by me as an employer would be,” he says. “I think sometimes when you recognize the needs of somebody else, then they want to give you back more than you ask for, and my team always gives me more than I ask for.”