“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” –– Albert Einstein
For property managers, there are some days where it does seem as if everything is coming at us all at once. Often we’re in the middle of a sea of confusion, with constant demands and crushing deadlines. In circumstances such as these, we can either learn to swim with the current or drown in the confluence.
Yet, “time” often gets a bad rap. So I invite you to step back and look at the lighter side of time. After all, time provides a great measurement of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going—past, present, and future. Without time, we wouldn’t be able to link our many accomplishments to our age. Nor would we be able to set measurable goals for the New Year.
The difficulty with time is that the more anxious we become about it, the faster it goes, particularly when we grow older. Fretting doesn’t slow down time; in fact, it tends to speed it up. We waste time worrying about where life may have passed us by, and miss opportunities to create meaningful experiences right where we are. Again, a change of mindset might be in order as we look back and acknowledge many of our milestones.
- Graduating high school or college
- Changing jobs
- Receiving our CPM or RPM designation
- Buying our house
The older I get, the more I’d like to slow time down. And because that won’t happen, I’ve learned to be in the present moment more often. I make a more conscious effort at balancing my life by intentionally blocking time for things that matter most.
- Being available for my parents
- Doing a project with my daughters
- Taking a family road trip
- Creating new ideas for my business
- Giving my time to worthy causes
When I’m amidst these activities, time flies––and it also slows down. I’m where I need to be and I’m doing what I love, completely focused and free from distractions.
Being present in my daily activities takes discipline and conscious thought. It is deliberate and requires that I’m fully in the moment, giving 100% of my attention to the task at hand. Multitasking isn’t allowed.
A great quote warning of the perils of multitasking goes like this: “To do two things at once is to do neither.” –Publilius Syrus
I’m not perfect at this practice. In these occasions, I’ll half-listen to someone in my office while typing an email, giving little value to either.
However, when I’m engaged with the most important task at hand, by listening without distraction to the person across from me, I honor them and this enriches our relationship, creating a win-win for all.
And in those moments, time does slow down.
And when I return to my emails, I’m less conflicted about my behavior and instead savor yet another opportunity to embrace the time I do have and honor it by knowing what’s mine to do in the moment.
What steps can you take today that will slow down time and reward a colleague with your undivided attention? Whatever it is, it’s time has come.
