This article originally appeared on Multifamily Insiders

Life can be hard. Isn’t that what our moms told us? Life’s tough, get over it. But sometimes we can make it harder on ourselves. I have found there are three simple things that will help make life a little easier. They’re easy and they’re obvious and you can start doing them now.

• Be nice.
• Work smarter, not harder
• Cultivate Cheerleaders

Seems easy enough, right?

Be Nice:

What do I mean by being nice? Really…do you really need to ask? (Ok, that wasn’t nice.) We all learned this when we were little. It means something a little different as an adult than it did in Kindergarten.

Then:

• Share your crayons.
• Don’t push kids.
• Raise your hand and be courteous.

Now:

• Work as a team, be collaborative.
• Get along with everyone in the office. Yes, even that person. Whoever that person is to you.
• Be courteous. You probably don’t need to raise your hand as a grown up, but this golden rule still applies. Be courteous. Say please and thank you. Smile. As I always remind my son, the best way to make a friend is to be friendly. Just do it. I have faith in you!

Work smarter, not harder:

We’ve all heard this phrase, you can only do the best you can. I would like to add to that, always endeavor to make your best, better. That’s right. That just happened, I said be better. You don’t have to work harder, you just have to work smarter. You know those days, the ones where you’re firing on all cylinders (I don’t understand car terminology, I just know this is a good thing). Then there are those days when you just can’t make anything happen. Everyone has both of these types of days.

If you’re having one of those less than full cylinder days, fake it. Easier said than done, right. You have so much to do that you’re vapor locked? Distracted and not able to focus? Overwhelmed and pulling your hair out? Here’s some ideas to work smarter, not harder.

• Sit down and write a list of the top five things you need to do for the day. Number them in order of importance. Write how long they will each take. Stick to the list.
• Schedule a time to check your emails. Don’t be a slave to your email. Add it to your priority list.
• Put away your cell phone. (As I’m writing this my cell phone is literally 4 inches from my keyboard. But I’m running on all cylinders today.) We spend more time than we think on our phones, and when you have a lot to do, it’s not the best use of our time.
• Do the most unpleasant thing on your task list, first.
• Don’t be afraid to admit you need help. Is there someone in the office who can take some of the load? Sometimes, just taking one thing off your plate means a world of difference.
• Be present in the moment. By that I mean, BE with the people you’re with, do the job that you’re there for, don’t just “phone it in.”

Cultivate Cheerleaders:

There is nothing better than having someone (or multiple someones) who are there when you’re having a tough time. They can offer advice, give you a shoulder, offer support or have the right word to say. If you haven’t cultivated a healthy support group, now’s the time. I mean it’s really the time.

• Do you have a mentor in your career? Or a life coach?
• Mentor someone yourself. There’s nothing better to clarify what you’re doing than by teaching someone else.
• Coworkers. They get your day-to-day problems.
• Friends. They get you.
• Family. Ok, so they’re probably kind of weird, but they’re yours.

These are three fairly obvious no brainers, but I think key to making your life easier. And the best thing about them is that you can start them today…Now in fact. Go out there and stop making it so hard on yourself.

About the Author

Shellie Sylla has over 17 years of marketing experience in multi-family, commercial and residential real estate.  As Marketing Manager for Steadfast Management, she is currently responsible for the website development, design and upkeep, as well as managing and coordinating advertising and brand image for 122 properties.

Ms. Sylla is a member of BIA, CREW, 55+ Housing Council, the Orange County Association of Realtors and enjoys volunteering for Mercy House Transitional Living Centers.