One of the keys to build a rewarding career involves learning to create value and showing gratitude for value created by others. This not only makes your career more rewarding, but makes those who work around you feel more satisfaction from their work.

Building a Rewarding Career Begins With Living your Values, Doing What You Love and Using Your Gifts to Make an Impact.

If you are in a career that supports your values and is utilizing your gifts, it takes no energy because that’s who you are! You’re showing up as your best self every day. Typically when we are struggling with an owner or vendor it’s because there is a disconnect in the values— or the priorities that people have. 

If you live your values it will reflect through things like how you speak, your marketing, your company messaging, your website text and everything that you do. This helps you connect with customers that resonate with your values.

How Do We Know When We Are Valued?

When we are compensated fairly! When we are working 24/7 we can begin to become resentful that we are doing all of this work for someone else and not being compensated for our value. When you begin to feel this way then either you need to find a way to make more money, or put some boundaries around yourself. 

People Feel Valued When We’re Acknowledge For The Work We Do

Make a point to notice your vendor’s hard work and compliment them when they go above and beyond. I had a painter named Mick that was great. I asked him to paint an apartment on a tight budget and he told me for that price he wouldn’t be able to paint the insides of closets or stairwells. When I checked the property after Mick was done, I always made a point of noticing what he did above and beyond. 

I’d call him up and thank him for doing an amazing job and mention that I noticed the extra work he did. I’d tell him I’d let the owner know and to include it in his bid. Everyone likes to feel praise and feel like what they are doing is valued.

People Feel Valued When They are Heard and Supported

When you have staff that say “I’m buried in work,” you need to find a solution so they can get the important work done. If I could see one of my staff members looked flustered I’d ask them if there was any way I could help: “Hey are there any phone calls I can return for you? Is there something I can review for you?” Typically they’d gratefully take me up on my offer and work diligently on what mattered most. It is valuable for you and your employees to know that your team and colleagues have your back.

When We Feel That What We Do Matters, Then We Matter

Changing your mindset is a common idea but can be powerful when applied to the real world. Say you are a server at a wedding, working for a catering company. It’s a hot day, your shoes don’t fit well, the party has been going for 6 hours and the crowd is starting to get a bit rowdy. You have two options, either focus on everything that’s going wrong and suffer through the next 3 hours, or tell yourself that “I am the luckiest person because I get to be an integral part of making the bride and groom’s special day memorable. Make their guest think this is the best wedding they’ve been to!” With this altered mindset, you will show up at your best and work harder.

With some of these simple changes you can build a much more rewarding and valued career for you and those around you.

 

Kathleen Richards, is the owner of PM Made Easy and The Property Management Coach. With her 13 years as a broker/owner of a property management company she speaks from experience. Kathleen authored, Property Management A-Z and teaches regularly at community colleges and conferences on property management topics. She is active in her field and holds professional designations as Master Property Manager (MPM®) and Residential Management Professional (RMP®) and her company held the coveted, Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC®) designation from NARPM®. She is currently a National Instructor for NARPM® and is honored to be sharing best practices with other NARPM® professionals. Kathleen has served at the local and state level on the boards for NARPM® (National Association of Residential Property Managers)