You can't do everything.
But you can be efficient with the time you have. And when you’re efficient, you can do more.
This is probably the least sexy thing a revenue manager does. Unfortunately, the rest of it isn’t very glamourous, either, but this part is excessively dull, tedious, and often seemingly (or actually) redundant.
Oftentimes when I am logging my actions (and I log EVERYTHING), I will recite to myself, “Chop wood, carry water,” which is shortened from the Zen kōan (a riddle or puzzle that Zen Buddhists use during meditation the help them ponder greater truths about the world and themselves), “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” Basically (at least for me in these mundane moments), the processes that have been proven useful need to be continued. Don’t abandon the things that have allowed your growth and success to this point, because those things are not sexy. They’re not glamourous. They’re mundane and ordinary and most importantly, they work. It’s a focus thing for me; and when I chop wood and carry water, I can remain grounded and focused.
Since starting this REVZEN venture, some of the things I’m having to balance are different, but the disciplines remain the same. I am now my own marketer, social media contributor, bill collector, sales manager, et al. But each new role still requires that I am very deliberate and meticulous in my work surrounding what I do, how I do it, how I assess it, and how I replicate the things that work (and pivot from the things that don’t). I know that if I put in the effort with the small, boring, “torturous” work, the results will pay off in spades.
One of the things I’ve challenged myself with is not only being deliberate in the work once I’ve got it but being deliberate in choosing the work itself. I have been intentional about trying to look down the road 5 or 6 steps further than the step right in front of me to best assess what chopping wood and carrying water might look like when I’m in the midst of it. It has meant that I’ve turned down more potential partnerships than I’ve taken on (in addition to the ones where the other party has turned me down), but I hope it also means that I’m internalizing my inability to do everything and am making the kinds of choices and decisions that make the things I can accomplish more meaningful.
All of that said, the other side of, “You can’t do everything,” is that sometimes you need to ask for help. I’m not good at this, it’s not instinctive for me, but I am trying to be better. I am purposely leaning heavily into my friends and colleagues in the STR/VR space for support and help and as uncomfortable as it’s been sometimes, it’s been an amazing experience. I appreciate so many of you for your encouragement, answers, suggestions, and ideas... I hope I can be the same for you as you’ve been for me. The interconnectedness of all of us is not lost on me and I am so very grateful.
I am honored to chop wood and carry water on behalf of some pretty stellar people in our industry; the fact that I have been entrusted with their care is a huge responsibility, and one that I don’t take lightly. Whether I’m working with your team to build something great, or taking over your day-to-day revenue management, or coaching you on a one-on-one basis to encourage and push, it is the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I can’t do everything, but I am so deeply honored with the opportunity to be efficient, effective, and productive with what I can.
-Sarah
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