Jenny’s journey: From property manager burn-out back to life-balance

How one property manager came back from the brink and created a new chapter in her career development

Jenny has been a senior property manager at a city agency for more than five years.

Sandwiched between the demands of landlords and tenants, the role of a property manager is often difficult and demanding.

Jenny loved her job and she quickly became emotionally attached to her goal of doing a great job and being respected in her real estate agency as a diligent and dependable executive.

In the office, Jenny was regarded as a gun property manager and leader within the agency. No challenge was too great for her, and no problem ever seemed too small to be ignored. Jenny handled every situation in the same professional manner, and always with a smile.

Behind this facade, though, Jenny was burning out.

Increasingly self-critical

The phone calls, the demands of tenants and landlords – many of them unrealistic and even unreasonable – began to affect her ability to relax, eat properly and sleep through the night. 

She found herself lacking focus and became increasingly critical of her own performance. Suddenly, she began to miss instructions or she’d forget promises she had made. 

No one noticed at first, but after a few months, colleagues began to see Jenny was on a downward slope.  She was always tired and began expressing frustration at clients and the job in ways she’d never done before. 

Recognising the problem was the first crucial step in her transformation from burn-out to balance, says Jenny.

Seeking help was her next courageous move. 

Sharing prompts action

Initially hesitant, Jenny confided in a supportive colleague, sharing how she had been feeling "really down", frustrated and tired. Normal, mundane tasks were taking longer to complete.

Jenny didn’t know it, but research says this simple act of sharing with a colleague or friend encourages greater reflection and prompts further action. 

At her colleague’s suggestion, Jenny saw her doctor, who helped her understand the extent of her burnout. The GP recommended these strategies for recovery:

Prioritise You: The doctor put self-care at the top of the list. And Jenny responded by making sure she exercised regularly, spent time in nature and pursued hobbies like swimming that she had previously neglected for several years as her career progressed. 

Set Boundaries: Jenny learned to say "no" to commitments that would encroach on her personal time. She made a conscious effort to disconnect in the evenings. 

Manage Workload: Jenny worked with colleagues to redistribute some of her less critical tasks. She became a better manager as a consequence. She also learned to prioritise rather than treat every challenge with the same urgency.

By implementing these strategies, Jenny found:

• Productivity improved. By working smarter, not longer, and with renewed focus and energy, she became more efficient and effective in her role. 

• Client relationships strengthened. Her improved mental and emotional state allowed her to be more present, empathetic and better able to understand and meet her clients' needs. 

• Renewed passion. Jenny rediscovered her love for being a property manager, and helping both her landlord clients and the tenants.

Jenny's experience underscores a crucial message: mental wellbeing isn't a luxury, it's essential for sustained success. 

In demanding industries like real estate, neglecting one's mental health can lead to burnout, impacting performance, relationships and overall quality of life. 

By recognising the signs of burnout, seeking help and actively implementing strategies for better work-life balance, you not only recover but go on to thrive once more.

Jenny’s journey from burnout to balance was an investment in herself and a pathway to a more fulfilling career. 

*Jenny is a fictional character based on research. At The Rise Initiative, we hope the experiences of our “fictional Jenny” will inspire property managers in similar, real-life situations to take action for themselves.