The holidays can be a crazy time, and no, I’m not talking about baking, shopping or welcoming relatives.
I’m talking about wrapping up your business year and looking ahead to the new year.
Every landscaper is looking toward the future while trying to finish this year strong.
Here are a few ways to avoid holiday burnout this season:
Slow down
Landscapers are always running 100 mph 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 will pay off in the long run. Remember, it’s 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. 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 back up the binder, 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 2015. If landscapers get bogged down in the every day drudge of business and politics, you will get burnt out. Stay positive and always find a silver lining at the end of the day.
