Addicted to Busy - Work/Life Balance for Property Managers

Have you progressed up the property management ladder only to find - it’s no better at the top ?  You may feel like the burden of responsibility has become heavier now that you've advanced higher in property management. You're now dealing with more complex decisions and larger responsibilities, such as managing staff, responding to tenant issues, and handling financials.  The demands can...

“I know I could teach my team how to do this - but it’s just faster if I do it myself.” Have you said this?  Property managers often struggle to find the time to get everything done. It doesn’t help that they often feel that no one can do it as well as they can (and they’re likely right!). With so many demands bearing down on them, they just tend to take care of everything themselves. For hig...

Have you ever met someone who is really good at something - and they don't even know it? Have you ever considered that that person might be you ?  Oftentimes, we get so good at a particular skill that we’re no longer aware of it. Sadly, this can result in additional work on our plates.  In this week's episode, we're diving into unconscious competence - what it is and how to use it to del...

Most of the property managers that I know are high achievers. They're go-getters. They're ambitious . They don't just meet the requirements of their job descriptions, they exceed them. They don't hesitate to put in extra hours. Typically, they have a keen eye for detail - which is why they're so great at day-to-day operations on top of long-term planning for their properties. In most cases, this d...

Do you ever find yourself stuck in your head, thinking about all the things that could go wrong? If so, you're not alone. Many of us tend to dwell on negativity and what-ifs, which can prevent us from getting things done. Granted, it's our responsibility as property managers to forecast and prepare for worst-case scenarios. Unfortunately, we can spin out into analysis paralysis and reduce our prod...

Have you ever tried to tell a friend or family member about your crazy day on site… and they just don’t get it? I feel you. I remember I once told my boyfriend about my day when 56 cars were broken into overnight. His response was, “That doesn’t sound good.”  So instead, I called my work bestie to tell her. Her response? “HOLY COW. WHAT DO YOU NEED? I CAN BE THERE IN 30 MINUTES.”  When y...

As property managers, every decision we make is based on if the numbers make sense.  When choosing, we assess whether or not the value that will be gained justifies the investment (not to mention the time, energy, and capacity of your team). There are so many factors that we’re weighing: Will these choices affect our taxes positively or negatively? Can we expect a rent increase or a change in...

As property managers, it's difficult to find time for ourselves. We get overwhelmed with the demands of managing properties while still trying to pursue our dreams and aspirations. It's easy to put off those goals because we want to do them perfectly, yet that day never comes.  I remember I felt so pushed to the limit every day at work that I couldn't fathom doing more. The thought of pursuin...

In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into an important aspect of our work lives: learning what your job is trying to teach you . By confronting discomfort and advocating for our needs, we unlock valuable life lessons and lead more satisfying professional lives. Here’s how: Embrace discomfort : If you're considering leaving your job due to discomfort, try expressing your needs instead. There...

In today's game-changing episode, we're diving deep into the major issue that plagues so many driven property managers: How to Stop Putting Yourself Last.  You see, most managers frantically search for solutions in planners, project management software, out-of-office replies, and productivity hacks, attempting to combat their burnout problem. But they're looking in the wrong place! We've got...

Are you feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and thinking you can't possibly handle one more challenge? Well, get ready, because we're about to prove that embracing new challenges could be exactly what you need to break out of your rut and reach new heights. We'll dive deep into the common roadblocks holding property managers back from achieving their goals and reveal the shocking benefits of...

Have you ever felt like you are pulled in too many directions? Do you have trouble staying focused and are struggling to set boundaries with employees? If so, then this podcast is for you. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain focus after a distraction. That’s almost half an hour down the drain every time you get distracted. This means that if you do not have tools in place or...

Are you ever in a situation where your colleague posts something on social media and it seems like they are bragging but they do so in a subtle, humble way? This phenomenon is known as "humble brag." It can often come off as disingenuous and insincere.  In the professional world, humble brags are all too common and can be damaging to relationships. This is because when someone brags about the...

Attention all busy property managers! In the ever-changing world of property management, it can be difficult to find the motivation and energy to consistently reach your challenging goals while navigating the barrage of daily tasks. However, there is a secret weapon that many successful property managers use to stay on top of their game: the power of imagination. Want to learn how these high achie...

Do you think Mean Girls are just a high school drama trope — those cliquey girls who love to boss everyone else around at the expense of productivity? Think again. Sadly, their bullying tactics don’t go away when high school is over. Many property managers have witnessed these types of behaviors in their office – exclusivity, backstabbing, and gossiping. These are all issues that can take over a w...

This week, we have the pleasure of welcoming Mike Kaeding to the Addicted to Busy podcast. Mike is the CEO of Norhart. Norhart is revolutionizing the way apartments are designed, built and rented. By changing the way construction is done, Norhart is solving construction inefficiencies - which has resulted in creating a higher quality product, but at a lower price. Mike’s mission is to solve Americ...

Property managers have a lot on their plate. Between managing budgets, payroll, and staff all while tending to tenants' needs and concerns, things can get overwhelming - fast!  But there’s something else you need to factor in if you want to keep up with the demands of the job: your own emotions. I know, I know. No one wants to talk about feelings.  But, our emotions play a significant ro...

Being a property manager can be incredibly stressful, with property managers often sacrificing themselves and going above and beyond to keep their teams on track. But, too many property managers find themselves worrying about taking time off work, even when they desperately need it.  From feeling guilty or anxious to the fear of emergencies arising while they're away, there's a negative myth...

If you're a property manager, chances are you've had to deal with your fair share of tenant problems. Maybe a pipe has burst, or there's been a break-in. Whatever the problem may be, it's important to remember that venting about it isn't going to solve anything. Instead, focus on problem-solving and coming up with a solution. Not only will this save you time and energy in the long run, but it will...

"Feelings are messy and they can get in the way of professional success."  That's why so many managers try to push them aside and focus on logical decision-making instead. But here's the thing: ignoring your feelings is a huge mistake. While it may seem like ignoring one's emotions would be advantageous in a high-stress profession such as property management, this could not be further from th...

You’re a property manager which means… you have a lot on your plate.  You’re responsible for maintaining buildings, handling tenant issues, and keeping up with the ever-changing laws and regulations.  It's no wonder that many property managers feel overwhelmed and sometimes have trouble getting started. There are plenty of reasons why you might not be able to get started… The feeling of...

When I think of some of the most successful property managers I know, they’re real go-getters. They set big goals, they volunteer in property management associations, they put in long hours, and they pride themselves on exceeding expectations.  They’re constantly striving for more. Which, can be a good thing. But more often than not, property managers use their potential against themselves. I...

We're often quick to give up when we don't see results right away. But what we don't realize is that quitting can become a habit. Just like any other habit, it takes time and effort to break the cycle of quitting. But it's not impossible. We all know the feeling of wanting to give up. Whether it's on a project at work, in our personal relationships, or simply not getting out of bed some days - qui...

In December, I saw a post in Multifamily Sharespace and this is what it said… Just a quick shout-out again to the great company I'm apart of.... #GWRManagement  Closing early 12/24 and giving us off 12/25-1/01, paid and not using our vacation hours. A holiday company party. We got to close the office early to get ready on time and we got paid an extra 2 hours for attending the event where we...

Most of us have been taught that money is scarce. We're told that there's never enough to go around, and we should hoard as much as we can. But what if I told you that this scarcity mindset is actually costing you money? Think about it this way: when you believe there's not enough money to go around, you're more likely to make poor financial decisions out of fear. You might be afraid to invest in...