How you can adopt strategies that keep the shadow of stress away

Kate’s blueprint for every Monday morning means she’s ready for the challenges of property management.

For property manager Kate, her chosen career was never about bricks and mortar but working with people to help make their lives better. 

She thrives on how each day brings a unique set of challenges. Life is never dull, and Kate finds herself handling a variety of requests and demands from organising urgent maintenance requests to mediating complex disputes between tenants and landlords. “These situations can quickly escalate,” says Kate, “so you need a cool head under fire.”

Kate is highly respected in her office for the ability not to get drawn into the emotion of a situation. What many of her colleagues don’t know is that Kate has a technique for staying level-headed in the most stressful situations. 

To navigate this demanding world successfully, she cultivates a morning routine that, while deceptively simple, has become her ultimate weapon against reactive decision-making and the dark shadow of burnout.

Calm before the storm 

Kate’s alarm fires at 6:30am but her first move isn’t to grab her phone. Instead, she takes 10 quiet minutes to herself. She closes her eyes and focuses on her breath, grounding herself. This brief mindfulness exercise is a powerful, conscious practice. It helps her to manage her stress responses and, vitally, to compartmentalise the hostility and aggression that can, unfortunately, come from others. 

It’s a sad reality that PMs often identify managing mental health and stress as one of the most difficult aspects of their job, with research showing 53% of property managers struggle to switch off after work. This number is even higher in NSW and Western Australia. 

While the challenge of dealing with aggressive and abusive owners and tenants has seen a slight reduction from 60% in 2021 to 53% in 2024, it remains a significant issue.

For property professionals seeking assistance and self-management strategies, the Real Care app is an invaluable tool. It offers activities designed to relieve overwhelming emotions, stress and tension, helping users to understand the powerful connection between their physical and mental states. The app has proven beneficial with 78% of users active.

Connection and team support

Once at work, Kate enjoys a barista coffee before checking in with her colleague Mark, who’s often on the road, inspecting properties. 

Whether it’s a quick video call or a text exchange to offer encouragement or share a problem, she knows the importance of touching base. Kate’s informal interactions foster stronger team dynamics. Building these relationships within the team contributes significantly to a more respectful and collaborative workplace culture.

PM teams are often small, made up of just two or three people managing a rent roll of less than 400 properties, where close personal relationships are a highlight of the job. Research consistently highlights the importance of sharing challenges with your team. 

This act of sharing offers a fresh perspective, alternative knowledge and invaluable mutual support. 

While Kate’s principals might not fully grasp the unique pressures faced by property managers, her colleagues do. In MRI research, called the Voice of the Property Manager, only 38% of principals agreed with a view held by 60% of property managers that dealing with aggressive clients was a major challenge.

Taming the To-Do List

Before Kate dives into the deluge of emails, she dedicates time to review and prioritise her to-do list. She maintains meticulous records of every interaction, discussion and action.

Kate says: “I identify the most critical items, particularly those related to timely and effective communication with tenants and landlords. Issues can easily escalate if they are left unresolved. Being super-organised and proactive isn't just my preference, it's key to minimising challenges.” Property managers “love the thrill of crossing items off their to-do list”, she says, “but the volume can be overwhelming.” 

However, only 34% of property managers believe they have the tools and resources to do their job correctly, and more than a quarter (28%) are unsure if they are trained sufficiently for their role, according to the MRI report.

Kate says: “When problems arise, I ignore personal feelings and treat everyone with respect. This is my basic advice to anyone who comes into property management – don’t get caught up in the drama.”

This philosophy allows Kate with a clear mind and a strategic outlook. By prioritising self-care, connecting with her team, and organising her tasks with intent, she sets a positive tone for what could otherwise be an incredibly stressful day. 

“I’m not super-human,” says Kate, “so when things do start to pile up, I will use the RealCare app to help give me perspective and find clarity again. I am always encouraging my colleagues to use the app when they’re having a bad day.” 

Ultimately, Kate's mindful mornings are a testament to the quiet power of small, consistent habits in navigating the complex and often emotional landscape of property management. It ensures her own emotional wellbeing and creates professional outcomes.

At The Rise Initiative,  we try to make a small contribution each Monday by sending out a “Mindset Monday” post on Instagram and LinkedIn to help you get ready for your week. It’s just a gentle reminder about breathing exercises, the power of positive thought or simply encouraging you to be a little more organised for the challenges ahead. 

Please follow us on social media to see our Mindset Monday posts.

*Kate is a fictional character. Her processes and behaviours are based on best practice research.