The holidays can be a crazy time, and no, it’s not just from baking, shopping or welcoming relatives. The end of the year is looming and you are focused on wrapping up your business for this year and looking ahead to the next. Every landscaper is looking toward the new year while trying to finish this year strong. Here are a few ways to avoid holiday burnout this season:
Slow down
Landscapers are always going nonstop whether it’s from the office to a jobsite or from a truck to meeting a client. There are clients to meet, bills to be paid and designs to be drawn. However, take a minute to slow down. Taking an extra minute here or there to take a breath will pay off in the long run. Remember, it’s all about quality, not quantity at the end of the day.
Prioritize your time
A landscaper’s time is very precious. Calculate how much 30 minutes might mean to you in a day. Is it worth $30, $60 or more? If landscapers prioritize their time, more will get done. There may be some things you’re doing on your schedule that could go to someone else on your team or could wait until the next week.
Stick to a schedule
Landscapers know this rule like the back of their hand. However, the question is – how often do you follow it? Schedules change, but at some point, a landscaper may have to say no. It’s hard to turn down some extra work, but you don’t want to end up doing a poor job because you or your crews are pressed for time. Sticking to a schedule will help you feel accomplished at the end of the day without jeopardizing your time or your workers’ time.
Be decisive
When you make a decision, stick with it. Don’t go back and forth about the answer you gave. If you said no – be sure to stick with it. You gave that answer for a reason, so don’t go opening the binder back up, re-crunching the numbers or questioning your decisions. Be sure to take the correct amount of time to make a decision, but once it’s made – move on.
Stay positive
This is the time for celebration. You have made it another year, and you are looking toward the future. If landscapers get bogged down in the everyday drudge of business and politics, you will get burnt out. Stay positive and always find a silver lining at the end of the day.
