Today’s Pearl
Earl had a fascination with ships and sailing as I do. He likened ships to people. Ships are either sailing toward a predetermined port of call, or are in port, preparing to sail to another one.
Ask any captain preparing for his voyage where he is going, and he’ll tell you with clarity and confidence…and in one sentence.
People ought to operate the same way, Earl suggests. They ought to know exactly where they’re going at all times. That is, they have a burning desire to reach their own port of call—their goal—and think about it every day.
Another important analogy is the ship that lays idle in port. Without a place to go, she’ll fall apart from rust and disuse. The engine won’t get started until there’s a destination. Until you determine your goal, your mind, body, energy—your ship—will lay idle too.
The PM Takeaway
As a property manager, it’s vital for you to know where you’re going.
Like the captain of a ship, you should be able to articulate your big goal—the one you’re throwing your mind, body and energy into. It’s the one you’re excited about and can tell someone exactly what it is in one sentence.
Here’s where some of us may trip up.
We get confused as to which big goal we’re talking about. We’re talking about your current year goal. After all, I’ve got a list of my 101 Goals that I want to accomplish until age 85!
Even still, some may argue they have many goals for the current year that reflect outcomes they desire in many dimensions of their lives. You may have goals in areas like your relationships, spirituality, or personal dimension of your life.
For this purpose, let’s concentrate on your main professional goal—your career as a property manager.
The point to remember is there is a primary goal; one that once attained, would accelerate your growth, elevate your contribution, boost your value—even if no other goals were attained.
Clarity and focus are your closest allies in this pursuit.
5 Minutes to Win It
To quickly determine and articulate your big goal—your primary career goal that’s going to knock it out of the park this year—take out a clean sheet of paper and have your pen ready.
At the top of the page, write “Indispensable Property Manager,” or whatever your current title is. But begin the heading with the word “Indispensable.”
Next, take 3 minutes to write down ideas on how to become exceptional in your position. If you could have these skills right now, it would catapult your career.
Is it improving your technical proficiency in your accounting software or use of Excel? Or maybe it’s improving your market knowledge of your competition.
Think bigger! Maybe it’s rolling out a new customer (tenant / resident) service platform you’re creating. Or developing a new app your customers can use to navigate your community. Or maybe it’s getting tenant testimonials from service excellence.
Write fast. Keep you pen moving and come up with 5 to 10 ideas.
Now take 2 minutes prioritizing your list. Is 1 better than 2? If so, is 1 better than 3? Keep going through your list until your number one goal is identified.
Got it? Great. Give yourself some credit and dwell for a moment on its significance.
BONUS: Throughout in the day, think about this new #1 goal and begin to articulate it in a clear, concise way. Reduce the idea down to one sentence. Quantify it and put a time limit on it. Think “How much? By when?”
Example: “I’m rolling out Phase 1 of the new customer service initiative by 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2016.”
That’s your new ‘port of call’ whenever someone asks you what’s up. Way to go, Captain!
Feedback
If you experienced something beneficial, however briefly it may have been, please let me know. I’d love for you to share your thoughts, suggestions and struggles with me. I read every email I receive.
Incidentally, if you are interested in becoming fully engaged in the attainment of your lifelong aspirations, then consider Change Course as your next training goal. Please jump on our pre-enrollment list for the next program offering.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks to Earl for inspiring me to pass this message onto you.
To your perpetual success.
