When you get to the office, you have every intention of being productive. Yet, somehow, by the time lunchtime rolls around, you’ve barely scratched the surface of your to-do list. The truth is the workplace is filled with distractions and time-wasters, and all of us have fallen victim to them from time to time. The key is to identify what things are taking you away from your important tasks so you can avoid and/or eliminate them. That said we’ve identified the 5 biggest wastes of time busy property managers face every day so you’ll know what to watch for.
Interruptions
As in any other industry, the higher you climb on the property manager ladder, the more directions you will inevitably be pulled in. There will always be interruptions in the workplace, whether it’s an incoming phone call or a team member that needs your sign-off. Unfortunately, these constant distractions can make it next to impossible to stay focused and productive. While you can’t completely eliminate interruptions, you can set aside windows of time each day during which you’re not to be disturbed. Then, focus on tackling the most important tasks on your to-do list during these intervals.
Find out what more you can do to boost the productivity of your property management business. The Property Manager’s Guide to Maximizing Productivity.
Electronic communication is like a double-edged sword to a busy property manager. On one hand, it keeps you connected at the click of a button. On the other, the constant incoming alerts can be incredibly distracting when you’re trying to focus on an important task. You can’t get rid of email, but you can designate certain times during the day that you will read and respond to messages, such as first thing in the morning and just before you go home for the day.
Meetings
As someone in a leadership role, you’re going to have to participate in meetings, whether you like it or not. Unfortunately, these gatherings can be a tremendous drain on the productivity of everyone involved. To minimize their impact, make sure that any and all meetings are absolutely necessary. If the topic at hand can be resolved through another manner, such as email, opt for that instead. If a meeting is necessary, make sure there’s an agenda prepared ahead of time and stick with it.
Related Post: 6 Simple Ways for Property Managers to Stay Productive
Internet
The web can be an excellent tool, but only if you’re conducting a focused search. Unfortunately, many executives, including property managers, fall into the trap of starting a web search and getting completely off track. This can be a huge waste of valuable time. If you must access the internet for work purposes, give yourself a time limit. This will keep you on task and help you avoid unnecessary surfing.
Social Media
Like it or not, social media has become a part of our lives. It’s also an important tool for property managers to market their properties and services. If you’re not careful, however, these social networks can draw you in and eat up your productivity. Stick with only business-related social media during office hours and have a specific plan for what you’d like to accomplish each time to avoid getting off track.
As a busy property manager, you could probably list a dozen more distractions that you encounter on a daily basis. While there’s no way to eliminate interruptions altogether, knowing what time-wasters to watch for ahead of time and how to keep them at a minimum can make a huge difference in the impact they have on your day to day operations.
What tips and tricks do you have to help you stay focused and avoid distractions in the workplace? Please share below.
{{cta(‘dd3cddaa-5b1c-4720-a06c-fc26e6fba0bc’,’justifyright’)}}
Find out what more you can do to boost the productivity of your property management business. Download a free copy of The Property Manager’s Guide to Maximizing Productivity.
