While it may seem unreasonably early to raise the specter of the next season, the truth is it’s going to fly by faster than you think. It’s always better to be prepared, which means coming up with a plan if you don’t have one or checking in with your plan if you do.
While most real estate investment professionals purport to be impressive planners, the truth is many leave money on the table with a “flying by the seat of your pants” style. This approach causes undue, unnecessary stress on yourself, your staff and your family members.
Stop! Because Stress Kills
You may not notice it if you’re accustomed to operating in a reactive mode. That is if most of your day is spent dealing with the “unexpected” rather than according to a plan, you might be operating in a reactive mode. That’s a recipe for stress.
If you’re jumping from one crisis to another, you’ll end up stretching yourself further than you intend to and end up with more stress in your world than is necessary. And quite likely more than is healthy. Stress is the world’s number one killer, contributing to everything from heart attacks and cancer to the common cold.
Prep Work Pays Off
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to plan ahead. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. In fact, if you’re used to not being a planner, it’s best to start small and go slow. Add a few things this year and build on your progress next year. It doesn’t have to be an overnight process. Getting ready for the holiday season will be a snap if you start thinking about it and preparing for it now.
Schedule It and Forget It
Take out that long range calendar and establish your policies and procedures for holiday time between Thanksgiving and New Years. Pre-write and schedule emails or letters to inform tenants, staff, vendors, and contractors of the days you won’t be available and procedures for payment during the holiday season.
Don’t forget to update your emergency contact information so that any emergencies are handled appropriately. If you host a party for staff and vendors or for tenants, you can make most of the arrangements now and just focus on the details later. Basically, anything that you can get out of the way now to keep your slate clean in the busy season will put you ahead and keep stress levels down.
Deck the Halls
Holiday décor for the office and any of the properties you decorate can be planned out long before the season starts. Take inventory of the lights, trees and wreaths you have and what you’re going to need once the season starts. When you pack and arrange all the supplies so they’re ready to go, you’ll save both time and frustration.
Reflect and Revamp
Of course, there are no magic solutions to getting rid of stress completely. Not in everyday life and certainly not during the holiday season. However, you will reap rewards for every effort you make in the right direction. Revisit your plan each season and you’ll be sure to find ways you can react less and live more.