Wondering what a day in the life of a successful property developer looks like?
Perhaps you’re hunting for some practical tips to up your productivity game? Well, look no further!
In this blog post I’m going to share with you my daily routines and productivity strategies. Including:
- Getting a head start on your day
- Balancing work and life responsibilities
- Planning and strategizing for productive meetings
- Making the most of your communication channels
- Staying efficient and focused
Let’s dive in, shall we?
Good Morning, Productivity!
Starting the day early – around 6 AM – is my first secret sauce for productivity.
6 AM is an hour that promises a chunk of quiet, uninterrupted time. This is critical.
At least for me, and I believe this is true for most people, early morning is about the only time where there are no errands, family responsibilities, and other interruptions.
The 6 AM Club, as they call it, might seem daunting. But there’s a reason almost all successful developers (and business people in general) are in it.
It takes time to get used to. But it’s the best way to pushing your projects and goals forward.
What should you do with this focus time?
I use this morning magic hour to get deep into planning and designing.
- Scrutinizing plans for a prospective site
- Prepping for a strategic meeting with a seller
- etc.
This precious pocket of time before the phone starts ringing is invaluable. But it’s also mentally tiring. Which is why next up is…
Power Breakfast: Energizing Body and Mind
Take a brief pause from work. Fuel up.
I love myself a healthy breakfast. An omelette with veggies and rice. A bowl of muesli loaded with fruits, almonds, and coconut yogurt.
Or whatever works for you!
Starting the day with a balanced meal sets the tone for a high-energy, productive day.
The Meeting Marathon: Face-to-Face or Over the Phone?
I try to do focused time until 10 AM and start my meetings and calls after that. But today for instance, I had my first meeting at 8 AM.
Meetings are huge for property developers. You can’t make money without them.
But meeting can dominate the day of a property developer. If you’re not thinking strategically, you’ll waste so much time on meetings you’ll never get any real work done.
How Do You Find The
Right Balance?
First of all, I kick off with phone meetings first. Catch-ups with potential investors. Strategic chats with agents. Solving problems. These discussions play a crucial role in advancing your projects.
And having them over the phone is a huge time saver. No commute. No wasted time between meetings. And no problem to just hang up when the conversation has concluded. No social obligation to linger or small talk!
So, over-the-phone meetings offer efficiency. However…
Face-to-face meetings are sometimes vital. This is especially true when,
- Dealing with intricate issues, or
- Building rapport with strategic people (new investors, for example)
Regardless of the format of the meeting, face-to-face or over the phone, you always want to have a clear agenda prepared.
It helps lead the direction of the meeting. Makes sure time isn’t wasted. And that all your concerns / needs are addressed.
In other words… agendas allow meetings to be time well spent. Without them, as the famous saying goes, “minutes are taken… and hours are wasted.”
The Importance of Qualifying Communications
When starting out in property development, you might find that a lot of your initial meetings seem to hit dead ends.
I know I did.
When I started out and I quit my job, initially, a lot of my early meetings were a total waste of time. They wouldn’t go anywhere.
Until I figured out the problem.
I was talking to people who had no capacity to make decisions!
So my best productivity tip for effective meetings is, qualify your communications.
Ensure you’re talking to the right people. People who can actually make decisions. But how do you do that?
It’s Easy!
By being upfront about your expectations and the topics you wish to discuss.
(Which should be easy for you to do, if you’re preparing proper agendas for each meeting ahead of time!)
Lunchtime to Evening: More Meetings, Inspections, and Family Time
Successful property developers adapt to the needs of their projects.
A good property developer knows when to switch hats.
On a given afternoon I may be…
- Discussing flood mitigation strategies with my town planner
- Inspecting a project site to identify potential problems
- Looking at competitor sites
- Talking to your accountant
- Taking care of financial matters
- Meeting with my engineering team
- Picking up the kids from school
- Scheduling a doctor’s appointment
- Getting the kids off to physios or gymnastics
As you can see, my afternoon is often a mixed bag. and I dod that purposely.
Balancing work and life is all part of the game!
Wrapping Up the Day
Look, especially in your first years as a developer, you may be tempted to just keep going.
And sometimes you just have to burn that midnight oil. But more often than not, it’s more productive to draw a line.
Give yourself some time to relax, wind down, and disconnect.
I might hop on a webinar, but generally, evenings are for recharging. And I much rather spending them with my wife… my girls… and at times…
My Netflix! :O)
Key Takeaways: 7 Productivity Strategies For Successful Property Developers
So, how does a successful property developer manage his day? How can you maintaining your productivity while achieving work-life balance?
Here are the key takeaways:
- Start Early: This gives you quiet, focused time to plan and strategize before the day’s demands kick in.
- Fuel Up Right: A balanced breakfast energizes you for the day.
- Plan and Prioritize Your Meetings: Having a clear agenda saves time and increases meeting efficiency.
- Qualify Your Communications: Ensure you’re talking to decision-makers to avoid wasted time and effort.
- Maintain Flexibility: Be ready to switch roles as needed, adapting to project and family needs.
- Strategize Financial Matters: Regular financial planning sessions can prevent future headaches.
- Wind Down: Taking time off work to recharge is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and mental health.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to productivity.
You need to find what works best for you. Use my routine as a starting point. Adapt them to your unique circumstances. Make them your own.
And always stay flexible to meet the ever-changing demands of your work and personal life.
Because the only thing that’s constant… is change!
I hope you found these tips useful. If you want to learn more of my systems for property success, check this out:
Finally, Here’s Something That Works!
Everyday investors earn $100,000… $270,000… even $369,000 a year or more… All through this simple, proven property strategy:
Check it out!
Until next time,
Nhan Nguyen
