Condominium management is a demanding profession that requires resilience, adaptability, and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities. Imagine starting the day with a flood in a common area, juggling urgent calls from residents, coordinating emergency repairs, and ensuring insurance claims are filed—all before lunch. Later, a heated dispute between neighbours escalates, requiring immediate mediation. Meanwhile, an upcoming board meeting demands last-minute financial reports. Without effective stress management, burnout is inevitable. Prioritizing wellness isn't just about self-care—it enhances productivity and leads to healthier communities. Here are key strategies for managing stress effectively while maximizing efficiency.

Recognizing the Importance of Mental Health

Stress is an inherent part of the job, but unchecked stress leads to burnout, poor decision-making, and decreased efficiency. Acknowledging its impact is the first step in managing it. Encouraging open conversations about mental health helps foster a culture of support within the team and the community. When managers prioritize their well-being, they empower others to do the same.

Implementing Proactive Strategies

Instead of constantly putting out fires, managers should implement preventative measures to minimize stress. Consider these key approaches:

1.    Crisis Management Planning: Developing and refining emergency protocols ensures swift, structured responses when issues arise.
2.    Routine Maintenance Checks: Proactively scheduling maintenance prevents unexpected repairs and last-minute stress.
3.    Leveraging Technology: Property management software streamlines financial tracking, communication, and work orders, reducing administrative burdens.

Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

Managers often feel obligated to be available 24/7, but without clear boundaries, personal time erodes. Establishing structured office hours and using automated responses for non-emergency requests helps set expectations. An alternating emergency response schedule ensures managers get necessary rest while maintaining service quality.

Scheduling Time for Personal Life

A structured work calendar is second nature to managers—but what about personal time? Scheduling personal commitments ensures they aren't neglected. Here are a few ways to create balance:

1.    Get-It-Together Day: Dedicate a day to organizing personal finances, decluttering emails, and completing household tasks to prevent them from piling up.
2.    Unplug Day: Take one day each month to step away from technology—no work emails, no social media—just relaxation and quality time with loved ones.
3.    Play Tourist Day: Explore a new neighbourhood, visit a local attraction, or try a new restaurant to break routine and recharge.
4.    Reconnection Day: Spend time reconnecting with family, old friends, or professional contacts without an agenda beyond meaningful conversation.
5.    Mini-Adventure Day: Inject excitement into everyday life by trying something new, whether it's a scenic drive or a creative hobby.
6.    Personal Budget Meeting: Financial health is crucial to overall well-being. Set a monthly time to review expenses and plan for upcoming costs.

Incorporating Daily Self-Care Practices

Small daily habits can significantly reduce stress. Prioritize:
1.    Exercise: Even brief physical activity improves mood and relieves tension. In a recent study, Physical activity is 1.5 times more effective at reducing mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression, psychological stress, and anxiety than medication or cognitive behaviour therapy, according to the study's lead author, Dr. Ben Singh (source).
2.    Mindfulness & Meditation: Just 10 minutes a day of mindfulness can enhance clarity and reduce anxiety. A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour in June 2024 provides compelling evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing stress. The study, which involved 2,239 participants across 37 sites, found that a single, standalone mindfulness exercise could significantly reduce self-reported short-term stress (source).
3.    Engaging in Hobbies: Reading, cooking, gaming, or other outlets help the brain decompress from daily stressors. For instance, one study showed approximately 75% of participants' cortisol levels (one of the most widely studied hormonal markers of stress) were lowered after making art (source).

Creating a Productivity Routine

Effective routines create structure and reduce stress. Three high-impact productivity habits include:

1.    Daily Shutdown Ritual: Thirty minutes before ending your workday, identify your top three tasks for the following day, as well as three minor tasks. Schedule them into a "Shutdown Ritual" to-do list. Then shutdown. This provides a sense of control and direction.
2.    Effective Before Reactive: Begin each workday by focusing on a high-priority task for the first 60 minutes of the day before checking emails or social media. Sometimes referred to as Eating The Frog, this is a prioritization and productivity method that encourages people to pick the toughest task first. The goal is to recognize one challenging task for the day (the frog) and complete it (eat it), preferably first thing in the morning; then, you'll be all set for a productive day.
3.    Weekly Review: Dedicate time each week to assess accomplishments and plan your 3 key objectives for the coming week. This becomes even more important when you are responsible for a team and associated delegation.

Delegating and Empowering Your Team

Managers often feel they need to handle everything alone, but strategic delegation lightens workloads and improves efficiency. Providing staff with training and clear expectations enables them to handle responsibilities confidently, allowing managers to focus on high-level priorities.

Building a Support Network

A strong support system is invaluable. Connecting with industry peers provides a space to share strategies, insights, and challenges. Professional organizations, networking events, and online forums can serve as vital resources for stress management and professional growth.

Utilizing Professional Resources

While self-care is essential, sometimes professional guidance is necessary. Therapy, counselling, or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide valuable tools for managing stress effectively. Encouraging condominium boards to offer wellness resources benefits both managers and residents alike.

Regular Reflection and Adaptation

Managing stress requires ongoing self-awareness. Regularly assess what's working and what needs improvement. Adjust strategies as needed and encourage feedback from your team and residents to ensure both personal well-being and community wellness remain priorities.

By integrating these strategies, condominium managers can create a sustainable, balanced approach to their demanding roles. A manager who prioritizes wellness is more productive, more resilient, and better equipped to lead a community. Remember: A healthier manager leads to healthier condos.

Daulton Read is redefining condo minium management with technology and a hands-on approach. As founder of Read Property Management, he brings over half a decade of experi ence managing Niagara corporations. A CMRAO-licensed professional, he’s also a passionate golfer, nature enthu siast, and animal lover dedicated to ex cellence in both work and life.

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