Tips to Reduce Stress as a Property Manager

Our executive team has deep roots in the real estate industry so we understand first-hand how stressful it is to be a property manager. You’re constantly running around addressing resident needs and handling issues, and this type of fast-paced work environment can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you take time for yourself and de-stress:

1. Balance your time wisely.

A recent Forbes article reports that effective time management is key for PMs. Without it, you become consumed by a never-ending blizzard of stress, hampering your ability to meet the daily demands of your job. Staying on top of your daily duties helps to reduce stress and encourage effective time management. For more time management tips, check out our article on innovative property management ideas.

2. Digital Detox. Yes, shutoff your smartphone.

Statistica reports that there were 269 billion emails sent and received worldwide every day in 2017, and that it will hit 333 billion by 2022. That’s nearly 1 billion per day. As a PM, you are constantly on the phone, responding to emails or in front of your computer. To help reduce your stress and also improve your sleep, try unplugging at least one day per week. Studies have shown that doing so creates a state of serenity. So, go ahead and unplug. You deserve a moment of Zen every once and awhile.

3. Schedule some me-time.

Similar to the digital detox, you also need to take time for yourself. We get that you may not be a spa fanatic, but you might be into hiking or wine tasting. Whatever your personal interests, we encourage you to schedule a me-day at least once per month. Use this time as an opportunity to engage in an activity that makes you smile. Don’t forget that you can always search discount apps like Groupon for unique, cost-effective activities. And when all else fails, create your own me-time moment with Headspace, a digital service that provides guided meditation sessions and mindfulness training.

4. Tap the power of apps.

We get that it can be difficult to keep track of your long to-do list, which is why we recommend tapping into the power of organizational and productivity tools. Nowadays, there are a number of effective apps and programs that can help you foster better working habits. These include:

• 24me. If you’ve ever needed a personal assistant (who doesn’t as a PM?) then download 24me, a smart and automatic task handler that can do almost everything you’d want an assistant to do. Your calendar, to-do lists, personal accounts, and notes are centralized in one place, and your day-to-day errands are completed by one tap. Receive billing, event, and birthday reminders, or have the app pay your bills and send gifts to friends. The app even lets you know what time you should leave for your meeting based on current traffic.
• Remember the Milk lets you create smart to-do listsand receive reminders via email, IM, text, Twitter, or mobile notifications. You can prioritize and organize your tasks by due dates, tags, or importance and assign tasks to others. Gmail, Twitter, Google Calendar, Evernote, and other services are integrated and all your information is synced to your devices
• Pixie – always losing your keys or smartphone? Attach Pixie’s Bluetooth-connected fobs to easy-to-lose objects — remote controls, wallets, cell phones — and the augmented-reality app will show you exactly where they’re hiding, up to 150 feet away.
• Evernote. If you like to write things down by hand then digitize your notebook with Evernote. You can take pictures of your handwriting and search the text. The app also compiles web pages, images and PDFs and puts everything together like a “second brain.”
• Todoist helps you keep track of your projects and prioritize tasks. You can add, complete, and reschedule tasks with drag-and-drop scheduling and set due dates. Organize lists according to color or prioritize by subprojects and subtasks. Not only can you easily share projects and lists with others, but you can also set weekly and monthly goals.

5. Leverage smart tech amenities.

At the end of the day, you want to leverage smart tech amenities to help make your job easier. This includes amenities like parcel lockers. It is estimated that concierge staff and property managers nationwide spend an estimated 15 hours each day facilitating deliveries for residents. This includes signing for, sorting, storing and tracking deliveries, as well as managing logistics when residents come to pick them up. Parcel lockers like those offered by Parcel Pending alleviate the commotion of package management for property managers by assuming all customer service responsibilities for package delivery, notification and retrieval. Learn more about our multifamily locker solutions here.
How do you take time for yourself? Comment below.