The rush is on.  Time to plant annuals – catch up on the mowing schedule – get rain-accelerated weeds under control – make deliveries and keep clients happy.  Everyone’s pushing the envelope and that leads to burn out, grumpiness and the collapse of team morale.

Whether you’re the big boss, a supervisor or fly at your desk pretty much solo, there are still things you can do to help yourself and others stay productive and focused without burning out.  Here are 4 strategies from green industry consultant Jeffrey Scott to keep your mind and morale going strong.

#1 – Come to work smiling and make fun happen.
Get people enjoying each other early in the season. Have a surprise breakfast waiting some morning when people show up for work.  Cook burgers in the shop.  Have a regular softball game or huddle up the runners for early morning jogs.  Food creates a comfort zone and athletics are invigorating and help people let off steam.

#2 – Break the workload up into short-term goals.
Set goals to meet by Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day – and celebrate all the wins.  Look at the season as a series of back-to-back races rather than a marathon-long sprint.  Pace yourself and take breaks along the way.   Also get past the daily grind by looking for daily wins.  Every week, get together to share photos, compliment one another on work well done, share lessons learned and say “thank you.”

#3 – Communicate continually.
Keep the team up-to-date on schedule and other changes and client priorities.  Remind everyone frequently of the basics that are important to getting work done efficiently.  Make sure that constant communication also extends to customers.  Removing the guesswork from any situation by communicating often will keep tensions from building.

#4 – Make sure existing clients take precedence.
Reward long-term clients with a listening ear and priority status.  They have helped build your business, probably generated referrals and still need to be cultivated and respected.  Carefully qualify new clients who fit in best with your operations, resources and timelines.  And when you must disassociate yourself from prospects that don’t become clients, part ways politely and professionally.  If you can refer them elsewhere, do so.

Smile. Breathe. Pace yourself. Enjoy the season because isn’t this why you come to work?

Excerpted from BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS by Jeffrey Scott   

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Drought watch: Is landscape industry poised for pain or profit?
California’s drought: dead lawns and denial
Turf wars underway over robotic lawn mower
Affordable Care Act and defining seasonal workers