There is a phenomenon in strata (and many sectors I suspect) called the “I need this done before Christmas”. This can be any number of things. A meeting, window cleaning, carpet shampooing, an entire 50 story building repainted…
Often the ‘this’ has been something that required doing for some time. And prior to October there is generally no real urgency to it. Until there is. Which makes the downhill run from October to the Christmas break feel like an entirely uphill marathon. It’s a million balls in the air, battling your own end- of-year fatigue as you stare at the spring/summer evenings so full of promise from your desk or meeting
room.
Here are my tested and tried tips for getting from October to the December break.
1. Set Expectations
If you haven’t already signed a contract there is ZERO chance of non-emergency building works starting between now and 2023. Be upfront with your customers about this. And remind them gently that 2023 isn’t that far away and you can use this time to plan a communication strategy. People will understand and be less annoyed than if you try and cannot deliver.
2. Set Boundaries
It’s ok to say no.
You do not need to accept every invitation to a customer (or supplier) end of year event. If you do go, it’s perfectly ok to stay for a short period of time and leave. Your time is precious. You do not need to reply to emails after hours. Emails are never *that* urgent. In fact, and I know, it’s scary, turn notifications OFF your phone. Now I am not saying delete them altogether. But compromise here.
3. Plan and plan some more
This one I, personally, struggle with. But plan your month, week and days in advance, and pending urgent matters, stick to it. Be realistic about what you can achieve in a day. Factor in a slow morning if you know you’re going to have a late meeting the night before.
4. Have down time
You are not a robot (and even they need recharging). You aren’t doing your best work if you’re run down and mistakes equal more stress and more work. Taking the time to be your best self not only helps you feel better but means your quality of work is better. Take that lunch break! Go for a walk. Read a book in the sun. Connect with your team mates over something besides work (food is a good place to start). Turn off work related stuff from your phone at an agreed time with yourself.
Work to your best hours (for me, that’s never the morning, so I work 11am – 8pm generally, as those are my ‘on’ hours).
5. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you show your best friend
And, of course, come and hang out with other like-minded strata peeps who understand exactly where you’re at this time of the year. We’ve released the absolute last tickets for strata managers (there is literally less than 5 left).
We’ve got the dance floor set-up, the cocktails ordered and the food prepped. This will be epic. Wednesday 16 November 2022, from 6pm, Verandah Bar.
We’re so pleased to introduce our final sponsors:
BPS Strata and Insurance Restoration
Stratafy Solutions
And to once again shout out the rest of our supportive sponsor crew:
Accord Property Maintenance
DEA Lawyers
Diagnostech
Forrester & Johnson
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