You are currently browsing the weblog archive: August 2007.

I mentioned feeling a bit of burnout this past week because of working through the weekend, and the feeling intensified with the stressful post-migration days that followed. I took a much needed day off yesterday and made sure to leave my laptop and phone turned off. Even though it was only one day, the break made a difference and I honestly feel better.

I find it important to recognize when I’m feeling stressed and take action before things progress. I came across this excellent post on Chasing Rainbows: Job Burnout

The one point that resonated with me was this:

lack of boundaries between time on and off the job can all conspire to make even the most dedicated worker frazzled

It is easy to blur the lines between work and homelife when your work is at home! I’ve had days when I get caught up in a project and forget to eat lunch or work too late into the evening. Do this several times a week and it’s a formula for rapid burnout.

I make sure to take what I call a “real lunch” and leave the phone and laptop in my office while I sit down and eat with the kids. Once in a while, we even get in the car and go out for a bite. I also like to take a walk around the block and enjoy a time-out from work.

When the stress really creeps in, I schedule a day off. If that isn’t possible, I make the most of the weekend by doing something nice for myself and by “unplugging” from work. I cannot emphasize this enough…if you make just one call, or type just one e-mail, you may get sucked into working for a few hours and wonder why you feel stressed even on the weekends. The work will be there on Monday, trust me!

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I am extremely pleased to report that we closed today on our latest rehab house. Unfortunately, this one sat on the market for nine months. We lowered the price (several times), offered realtor incentives, offered buyer incentives, kept the place immaculate, etc, etc.Anything we had control over, we did. What we could not control, were the five other houses for sale on the same street. This is the way our market is right now.

Even though it sat on the market much longer than we intended, we still walked away with profit. Here are 5 things that helped us through this experience:

• Reserves

We had enough financial reserves set aside to cover holding costs (mortgage payment, insurance, taxes, utilities, etc.)  As part of our business strategy, we calculate these costs (and how much to set aside) prior to ever making an offer.  It works, because we have not lost money on a deal yet. 

• Ask for Feedback and be Willing to Change

After every showing, we followed up with potential buyers and realtors who showed the house.  We asked for feedback and learned what they liked and did not like, and then made changes where appropriate.  This helps to “take the pulse” on a particular market as well. 

• Drop the Price

When we first listed last year, the house was well within the average asking price in that neighborhood and was in great condition. Due to the slow market, we had to drop the price be in line with other comparable houses. I personally dislike doing this…I mean who wants to lower their potential profit? However, it was necessary to sell.  

• Keep Positive

After the first 90 days passed and we had no real offers to work with, the house started to feel like a burden. We took that energy, funneled it into constructive activities like advertising and networking, and reminded ourselves that the house would eventually sell.  

• Have a Plan B!

It is vital to have alternative plans when rehabbing/house flipping. In our case, we set a drop-dead date of when we would convert the house to a rental if needed. Thankfully, it sold before that date.

On a side note, I had the opportunity to talk with the buyer’s children at closing, and they told me this was their first home. I loved seeing the look of excitement on their faces when I asked if they picked out bedrooms…and listening to them enthusiastically describe the plans they had for “their rooms”.

This is a wonderful benefit of this business, taking a junk house and turning into a home anyone would be proud to live in!

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This past weekend, I survived a brush with computer terrorism and a crazy Exchange 2007 e-mail migration. On 2:30am Saturday, while talking to a support engineer at our ISP (who was also working at home), it occured to me that I am not alone. I belong to a weird sub-culture of IT professionals who work behind the scenes to make technology appear seamless and friendly for our users. It is often a thankless profession…I mean who really cares about how systems are interconnected, as long as e-mail and the Internet are accessible? Thankfully, our CEO cares and sent a pleasant e-mail to my team thanking us for a job well done.

As I grumbled to myself about being up so late (and then having to wake up early again to test), Dad overheard, and reminded me that I was doing this in bed and to be grateful I didn’t have to drive anywhere. I quickly changed my attitude because I have been there and don’t care to do that again…just read #2 of my 5 Benefits of Working at Home.

90 minute commutes are just plain wrong. As are the “IT Overnighters”* I often had to pull off as a consultant. Thanks Dad for setting me straight when my attitude gets out of alignment.

I am feeling a bit burned out this morning, as the phone rang at 7:00am with a question that could have easily been answered by Microsoft Outlook help. I try to teach our support team and users that F1 is really their friend. I’m in for another long day, but relishing this break. Off to eat lunch with the kids.

*IT Overnighter = frantic attempt to get systems or equipment upgraded prior to business users coming back to work the next morning. Often requires 18+ hours of work, eating cold pizza from the night before, and drinking copious amounts of coffee and mountain dew to survive

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