There is a long-standing stigma about the character of landlords. TV personae such as Mr. Roper and Mr. Heckles have defined the role to be limited to those who are pushy, over-bearing, nosey, and non-compliant. To make matters worse, there are those tenants who put the “challenge” into property management, and have the ability to bring out our less-than-cheery self.
It’s not only in these times, but in our everyday approach to the task of property management, we need to remember the words of Brian Tracy, a leader on the topic of human potential. He said, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
Here are some simple tips designed to help you gain that control:
- Center yourself. Whether you believe in the power of meditation or not, there is something to be said for what comes of the time we’re able to get by ourselves and focus on our thoughts. The business of property ownership and management is a busy one that often keeps us on the run. If you don’t take time for yourself to regroup and recharge, everything else may suffer; especially our attitude. Find your happy place and spend at least 30 minutes there in solitude—exercising, breathing, or just resting.
- Be thankful. Bad attitudes often come from a build-up of too much negativity. So, instead of allowing it to control your mood and actions, focus on all that you have to be thankful for instead. Make a list and say them each out loud. You can even go the extra step by telling someone why you’re thankful for them. You’ll quickly see that positive attitude grow outside yourself.
- Do unto others. One of the things I feel landlords forget from time to time is that while this is your business, it’s home to the people you serve. When you change your attitude to see things from this angle, it may very well change the way you look at their situation and even their attitude about things. Would you like to go for days without having issues addressed? Would you like to feel ignored? Put yourself in their shoes and then adjust the attitude accordingly.
- Forgive and forget. Forgive and forget. It’s a hard, hard thing to do; and, in many cases, it takes the bigger person. Yet, when you’re holding onto anger, your mental and physical state suffers, influencing everything else in your life. Sometimes, if only to benefit your mental state, it’s best just to forgive and forget the tenant who said something awful or the maintenance manager who botched a job. When done whole-heartedly, the attitude change in yourself will make you wish you had done it sooner.
- Take action when necessary. Sometimes a bad attitude comes when we feel we’re pushed into a corner or don’t have the ability to take action. If you find yourself in such a situation, for instance, where a problem tenant continues to create a toxic environment for you and other tenants, an attitude change may only come once you’ve gained that control. Do your research, seek help, and get control.
Sometimes we find the best way to handle the landlord stigma is to allow a professional to take the reigns. If that’s where you find yourself, Class A Management is here to help. Contact us today to learn more at 817-295-5959 or send us an email to info@classamanagement.com.