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DECEMBER 2024
A REAL ‘PEPSI CHALLENGE’ Motivation to Focus on the Important
projects I committed to by the end of the year or else …
If you’ve been around RCW for a while, you probably know that I like Coke … a lot … a real lot! I have written newsletters about it. Our company values are tied to a Coke mnemonic (i.e. Because Coke Works Endless Wonders). We even used to ask about cola preferences in a tongue in cheek question during our employee interviews. There is no rhyme or reason for the intense loyalty. I have fond memories of “movie night” on Fridays with my family where we were allowed to have a can of Coke, but that probably wouldn’t result in the support I give it.
I have to chug a warm Pepsi in front of my entire team! (If you just heard a strange sound, it was of me gagging in disgust.) Actually, the Pepsi in the picture above is the actual Pepsi that I hope not to drink. It has been sitting on my desk, taunting me since the end of September. It serves as a reminder to keep focused on the goal and do the work. In the previously mentioned mnemonic, “Wonders” is a reminder of our value that We Are Doers! Execution is critically important to us, not just ideas. We know that the more proactive we are, the more likely we are to get a great result for our clients. We focus on results and not just tasks or responsibilities. All of that is embedded in this value. And we know that not all work is the same. If we get a call that a property has no heat, we re-prioritize and get working on that right away (especially if the call came in on Friday after 4 p.m., which is when it comes in a surprising number of times). But there is a dirty little secret that I also know … Urgent items suck all the air out of the company and leave very little oxygen
Pepsi Challenge
left for the important. And trust me, in property management there are a lot of urgent items. Dwight D. Eisenhower famously said, “What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.” Hence the rub and the “Pepsi Challenge.” I have a job that requires I focus real-time on important projects that will improve RCW in material ways. But the job also requires that I respond to and support the team with the many, many urgent items that come up in any single day. When the urgent is done (if it ever is), there is very little time left for the truly important things.
And it definitely does not explain the loathing I have for Pepsi.
I don’t drink it (e.g., if I ask for a Coke at a restaurant and they offer Pepsi I will have water instead). I won’t let it in the fridge at work or at my house. I have taught my kids to dislike it, too (e.g., they will literally say “boo Pepsi” if they see an ad or commercial and one of my kids boycotted the Super Bowl half-time show because it was sponsored by Pepsi.). But I have agreed to a self-selected “Pepsi Challenge.” The challenge — I have to finish all of the quarterly
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Warm Up Your Winter Essential Tips for Winterizing Your Home Like a Pro
With winter comes the onslaught of cold temperatures and snowy conditions. Thankfully, we can escape the frigid temperatures in the comfort of our warm and insulated homes. However, not all homes have the proper protections to keep occupants warm once temperatures drop. Maybe you’ve experienced this before: You crank your thermostat and light a fire in the fireplace, only for the cold to seep through your home’s cracks. Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable in their homes, but it’s not always obvious how to offset winter weather. Here are four ways to winterize your home and keep the cold at bay. Seal drafty windows and exterior doors. Have you ever walked through your home and noticed a cold spot? It’s likely coming from one of your windows or doors. As the weather cools down, walk around your house looking for visible gaps around your windows and doors. If it’s windy, you may even feel the cold air rushing into your home. A U.S. Department of Energy study found that windows are responsible for 30% of heating and cooling energy losses, so this is probably the best place to start when winterizing your home. If you find a drafty door or window, you need to seal the gaps. There are a few different ways to do this, and you can pick up the items you need from any home improvement store. You could apply weatherstripping, an adhesive-backed foam strip that blocks gaps around your windows and doors. Weatherstripping is also great for keeping out bugs and moisture once the weather starts to warm up. Another option is to install door sweeps at the bottom of any exterior doors in your home, as they will also help keep cold air out and warm air in. If your windows are really drafty, apply a window film or insulation kit to keep the cold air out.
“By taking the proper precautions, you can make sure your home stays at a comfortable temperature all year long!”
Switch the flow of your ceiling fan. You might think your ceiling fan’s primary purpose is to provide airflow and keep the house cooler in the summer, but it can be useful in the winter, too. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch that allows you to change the direction the blades rotate. By switching to the clockwise setting, you’ll create an updraft, pushing warm air down from the ceiling to the floor. While this won’t be a groundbreaking change, it should keep the room a couple of degrees warmer. Consider updating your insulation. When was the insulation installed in your home? Depending on the type of insulation used, you may be due for an upgrade. Fiberglass insulation lasts around 15 years on average but can have a 20–30 year lifespan. Cellulose materials can start degrading after 15 years, but if installed properly, they can last up to 30. Spray foam, wool insulation, and foam board insulation can all last up to a century, but you might not know when the insulation was installed. If this is your situation, consider replacing your insulation if your top floor is freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer, your energy bills keep increasing, or you have unwanted “house guests.” While you can complete some insulation projects on your own, anything significant should be left to the professionals. Be smart about your heating efforts. Many things are in your control to keep your house warm. You can open the windows when the sun is shining, close off rooms your family isn’t actively using, and keep up with regular HVAC maintenance by changing furnace filters when necessary and cleaning vents and registers. If you’re having issues with your HVAC unit, don’t try to fix it yourself; call an expert to get the full scope of what needs to be done. Don’t let cold temperatures bring you down this winter. By taking the proper precautions, you can make sure your home stays at a comfortable temperature all year long!
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THINK OUTSIDE THE GIFT BOX
Start a New Tradition This Christmas
Refill the box with different versions of these items every year.
Christmas is built on tradition. Many families celebrate the holiday by waking up bright and early to open presents, attending church, having a delicious meal, and closing the day with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf,” or another Christmas classic. Some families have been doing this for so long that they’re starting to look for new traditions to throw into the mix to spice up the season a little more. There are plenty of ways to change your holiday traditions without losing the meaning of the season! You could go caroling or try out a white elephant gift exchange with the entire family. If you’re looking for something unique, try one of the following activities this year. The Christmas Box One of the most exciting parts of Christmas is when everyone gathers to open gifts. The Christmas box gives you an opportunity
You can also do this with your friends in place of a Secret Santa gift exchange. Set a budget and draw names to determine whom each person will give their box to. From there, you go to local garage sales, dollar stores, and thrift shops to fill the box with things the person will like. A Reminder of Past Christmases Do you buy a real tree every Christmas? Most of us bring our old trees out to the curb when the holiday passes. Before you do so, cut off the very bottom of the tree trunk. Write the date on it and include any extra information you want, such as a child’s or pet’s first Christmas. After a few years, you’ll have a collection of tree trunk rounds that help you reminisce about one of the happiest days of the year and all the memories you made.
to create a new tradition around gift-giving. Fill a medium- or large-size gift box with smaller items you like to give each year. You can stuff it with Christmas pajamas, mugs, books, movies, and other small gifts you know your family or friends will love.
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
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Inspired by TheModernProper.com
This is a problem I have to solve, for me and the company. How do we figure out how to spend real quality time on important projects when so many urgent items (important and not) surround the work.
Ingredients
• 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 cup milk • 2 cups chicken stock • 2 cups peas • 4 cups cooked chicken • 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed • 1 egg
• 1/2 cup butter • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup sliced celery • 2 cups sliced carrots • 1/2 cup flour • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1/2 tsp celery seed
I have a plan, and I have a punishment that I really don’t want. I expect success!
To not ever drinking another Pepsi in my life,
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
P.S. While writing this, I realized I have a punishment “stick” but no reward “carrot.” I just decided that when I achieve the goal, I will reward the entire team with ice-cold Cokes. I’ll let them decide how fast they drink them.
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INSIDE
1
A Real ‘Pepsi Challenge’
2
Smart Strategies to Keep Your Home Warm and Snug
3
Fresh Traditions to Make Your Holiday Sparkle
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
4
Make a Tiny Room Feel Surprisingly Spacious
DESIGN HACKS TO MAKE ANY ROOM FEEL LARGER Create the Illusion of Space
Low Furniture Clear sightlines are essential if you want your space to feel bigger. To preserve sightlines, purchase coffee tables, couches, and other pieces of furniture that are low to the ground.
Does your living space ever feel tight or cramped? Do you wish your home felt bigger, but your floor plan limits your space? Don’t stress! Here are some simple design hacks you can implement to make any space feel larger.
Soft Lighting While your chandelier or ceiling fan might make the room brighter, it also creates shadows that can make it feel smaller. Lamps and other forms of soft lighting can draw attention to certain aspects of the room, making it feel bigger. Keep It Clean Don’t let unnecessary items clutter your countertops and tables. Put everything away in drawers and cabinets to keep your space clean and clear.
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