We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are now into our sixth year!
This month, we are talking about things that make us proud. We'd love for you to tell us what has made you proud. There's no such thing as too much positivity and cheer!
We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them.
Property management can be a fickle business. Sometimes, in one day, I can be praised, revered, screamed at, someone’s confidante, the worst enemy, or loathed, and I never know what I might get.
When a prospect turns into a new resident, it can be the ultimate thrill for a leasing consultant. Receiving a commission can be nice, but for me, I love helping someone find the perfect home for them. Walking the tour path with someone who wants to learn about the community, sharing information about the special amenities, taking them through the models and later, making sure they leave the office knowing what they need to know in order to make an informed decision is something I’ve come to appreciate in this business.
If there are multiple applicants for one apartment it can get a little tricky at times, because I juggle a lot within a deadline in order to get everyone approved. And after the approval, more needs to be done. Proof of electricity, renter’s insurance, emergency contacts to generate the lease, vehicle information, possible pets–for one person it’s not so tough, but to obtain that information from everyone? It’s a process.
Recently, I had to juggle six people. Yes. SIX. Which is unusual. But three of the applicants were students attending the local community college, and the other three were the parents of the students, because the students hadn’t established credit yet and needed the assistance. So, that meant obtaining renter’s insurance for every single person–and of course two people (a father/son duo) were the stragglers and waited until the last second. Literally the day of move-in, to get that information to me. Someone set up electricity. They all had to figure out who would pay the move-in monies. The majority of the parents had issues with signing the lease online. And one parent yelled profanities at me in the background while his wife was on the phone, trying to troubleshoot a problem.
Did I mention that I had to solve everyone’s problems, put out fires, keep a level head against the profanities and get everyone taken care of and ready to go within 48 hours? Yeah, that was a big shocker for me, too.
This group had originally rented elsewhere. Yet they’d received a call that the apartment they’d secured wouldn’t be ready for the move-in date originally agreed upon. The caravan was on the road and already on its way to Chandler, Arizona, with belongings in tow. There was no turning back or pushing back their move-in needs. Hence the 48-hour window. Most of the work the group put in was done on the road. Most of my work was frequent phone calls, emails, clarification, updating their file and online resident file, and doing everything in my power to get it done for them in time–including setting up the cleaning of the apartment before move-in.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so stressed at my job. Or juggled so many people for one single unit. But when the caravan rolled in first thing the morning they were due to get their keys, I was filled with relief and accomplishment. To flip a vacant around in such a small amount of time like that is pretty crazy, but to also flip the vacant while working with six different individuals, it was like running a marathon. And I’ve run marathons. I would know.
I felt a lot of pride in myself and in the job I did that day, and for the next week when I’d get visits from all of the residents from the group who had a million questions for me–community related and otherwise–I tried hard to hold onto that feeling of pride, which in turn helped to give me a little bit more patience.
When Sara chose this topic, the first thing I thought of was stuff my kids had done. I am constantly proud of them, not just for accomplishments but also for the choices they make (well, most of the time 😜). Before I go into some of the things I'm proud of each of my kids for, I wanted to share something I was proud of recently for myself. (I keep thinking of Eliza at the end of Hamilton saying "Can I tell you what I'm proudest of?")
At work, I came up with this new pitching idea that was modeled off of something I had seen in bookstores and libraries. I've done it a couple times now and it has generated some good results. One of the people I pitched to said the nicest thing about it on an Instagram post. It totally floored me and validated why I am doing this new idea.
I'm also proud of myself for standing up for something that most people have been too happy to attack over the past couple years. I have not wavered from this, no matter how "uncool" it seems to do so. One time, I saw someone was reading a book that was very one-sided and I convinced them to read a book that showed the other side of things too, just to get a new perspective. They actually took my advice and read it! (It's the little things.)
Time to put the spotlight on my kids now! I'm just sharing a few of the many, many things that make me proud of each of them.
My older son:
I introduced him to some friends of mine recently, and one of them said they always saw him when he used to work at a nearby restaurant. They commended his customer service skills and spoke very highly of him! It was so nice to hear this.
As an RA, he's already dealt with some challenges in his residence hall, but he has handled them to the best of his abilities, even when they weren't the most ideal situations.
I got to see him in an improv show the other night and he was so funny and creative. He really stands out for being so naturally funny and charismatic.
My younger son:
He taught himself photography recently and has been taking some really cool nature photos. He's using my husband's old camera, which he fixed by himself.
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He recently got a part in the play at the local community college! He is a senior in high school but is in an early college program there.
He actually woke up early on a Sunday to take the SAT to see if he could improve his score.
My daughter:
She got a part in her first high school play and is one of the only freshmen cast!
Last month, she attended a party and chose to make gluten-free cookies so that her friend with Celiac's wouldn't feel left out.
She wants to be class secretary, so she's been getting involved with Student Government and really putting herself out there.
Tell us what makes YOU proud!
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