Burn the Hamster Wheel: Stress Management Strategies for Today’s Multifamily Professional

It is a low energy word that sucks the life straight out of my soul to even say it. Synonymous with exhaustion. Overwhelm. Unchecked chronic debilitating stress leading to illness and depression. Weariness that leads to collapse and ultimately breakdown. Perhaps you can relate.

I started my real estate career in 1999. I was living in California with my soon-to-be ex-husband, and our four young daughters (who ranged in age, at that time, from 11 down to 1). I was looking for a job that would allow me to work from home, make my family my #1 priority, and still make excellent money.

I found the residential mortgage industry, and I was in love. I was making more money than I ever had before. Eighteen months later, I was divorced. My new financial independence gave me the financial freedom to break myself, and my four daughters, free from a highly toxic and abusive marriage.

That being said, I also struggled to find balance between my work and my family. Being a single parent is hard. I wanted to truly be there as part of their lives. I didn’t want to miss their cheer competitions, dance recitals, football games, plays, or soccer games.

I have worked myself to the bone. I have worked until I was fried crispy. I have worked until I was overweight, unhealthy, and unhappy. I have worked until I was truly sick—and then I worked from my hospital bed. I have worked until midnight. I have eaten dinner at 9:00 p.m. more times than I care to count.
Some days, I have to come back to the timeless principles I am about to share with you—and remind myself—to jump off the hamster wheel.

And then I found that WAY too often, the next day I would jump right back on that hamster wheel and continue to allow bad habits to run my life. It’s high time to BURN the stupid thing!

Here’s the thing. I am FAR from perfect. My four beautiful daughters are all now grown and married and have babies of their own.

Every day is a new experience for each of us to learn and grow and develop new habits. Every day, I am seeking for new and better ways to improve the quality of my life.

I have discovered a few ideas that I wish someone had shared with me when I was a youngish, single mother of four active daughters who were involved in every activity you can think of. I missed some of their most important moments. I’m hoping you don’t have to.

There is a better way. There is a solution. You CAN enjoy success without sacrifice.

Let’s travel the road from Burnout to Bliss and create true life and business alignment a reality for you. Those who love you most deserve it.

Most importantly, YOU deserve nothing less.