As a busy property manager, you have a lot on your plate. From scheduling meetings and responding to emails to handling maintenance requests and so much more, the ability to multitask isn’t just a luxury. It’s a necessity. Unfortunately, this talent isn’t always innate. For some, it requires a certain degree of training and practice. But by taking the steps to learn how to multitask effectively, you can increase your productivity and stay a step ahead of the competition.
The truth is, in order to consistently produce quality work in a chaotic, distraction-filled environment such as yours, you must retrain your brain. Give the following techniques a try to help you work more effectively, regardless of how much is on your plate.
Group related tasks together.
When you’re focused on a particular task, the neurons and circuits associated with that task are activated within your brain. When you switch to something different, it takes time for your brain to adjust, which can impact your productivity. The more times you switch on and off, the more taxing it is on your brain and the more time you lose in the process. To minimize this, bundle related tasks together on your schedule. The more similar they are, the easier it will be for you to tackle them in a timely and efficient manner.
Keep your to-do list handy.
For a property manager, chaos is often the norm. In an environment in which multitasking is essential, it’s easy to let your workflow be driven by external circumstances rather than controlling it yourself. Creating schedules and to-do lists can help to ensure that important tasks don’t end up slipping through the cracks. Furthermore, keeping this information handy at all times will enable you to stay focused on what really needs to get done. Rank your to-do list by priority and post it in a visible spot. Bold or color code the most critical tasks and be sure to set aside ample time to accomplish them.
Leverage your downtime to absorb new information.
One of the biggest challenges of multitasking is how doing so can impact your memory. Juggling multiple tasks at once can interfere with the brain’s ability to acquire and absorb new information. When you attempt to recall what you learned at a later date, there’s a good chance you’ll draw a blank. If something new comes up during your busy workday, set it aside to review it later, when things settle down a bit. This will improve your chances of committing it to memory.
Your job as a property manager has many facets, and there are many days when you will feel as though you are chasing your tail. By consciously making an effort to retrain your brain, such as with the three tips listed above, you’ll be much better prepared to slay your schedule and stay on top of your to-do list.
