Letter from the President

By Stephanie Graves, CAPS, CAM, IROP, 2023 HAA President

HAA MEMBERS, SERVING YOU IS AN HONOR THAT HOLDS A RESPONSIBILITY I DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY.

I PLAN TO PROTECT THAT RESPONSIBLITY AT ALL COSTS BY LEADING THIS ORGANIZATION AS BEST AS I CAN THIS YEAR AS YOUR 2023 PRESIDENT.

The past couple of years have been a struggle for so many, whether it be professionally, personally, or both. This industry is not an easy one. We are faced with obstacles, collection issues, rising interest rates, kids learning remotely and struggling socially. I feel like we have aged 10 years in just the last two. So, I challenge everyone to find some joy and forgiveness as we start the 2023 year off strong!

Before we get into the craziness of this year, let’s take a step back and reflect. January is always an opportunity for a ‘fresh start,’ whether you are making a New Year’s resolution and setting big goals or are allowing yourself the grace to recharge this year and rest. If you are like me, you know that it is hard finding some solace in this chaos, but I have some advice that might help you ‘namaste’ in 2023.

Find a happy place and decompress! I know it can be hard to take time for yourself, but, if you are not taken care of, you cannot take care of others. I have started setting a 15-minute Alexa timer to be more disciplined with blocking out time to decompress. Alexa will remind me when time is up, and even gives me an option to snooze if I need it. (Some of my leasing agents are even using this to set aside follow up time, which is genius.) Best thing ever!

Next, reward yourself! When you successfully stick to a week of decompress time, reward yourself in whatever form feeds your soul. It may be a shopping trip, an extra glass of wine, or even a night out with someone you love. Trying to balance it all may seem impossible if you aren’t bringing any balance into the equation.

Practice gratitude, both for what you have in your life, your blessings and your accomplishments. Practice gratitude to others by capturing those moments in which someone does something to help others and recognize them. Thank those key people in your life that makes things possible, your spouse, your friends, your HAA suppliers, you barista, your children, even your mailman! Break the boundaries of expectations for service and gratitude in all you do! It will make others feel loved and you may be surprised, but you too will feel a tingle of happiness each time you are able to show gratitude to others. Send a card, send a cookie, give a hug. There are 1,000 ways to show gratitude, but you only need to start with one!

Thank you to all the HAA staff for making things look easy, the Board for trusting in my leadership, for past presidents that have paved the way for today’s leadership and to all the members that dedicate their time and dollars to make HAA a fruitful, giving and professional organization.

You can still make your resolutions and set your goals, but make sure you also use this time to find a happy place, find that work/life balance and find those people who support you in this industry and thank them!

Now, let’s start this year with some magic! Join me for the Installation Gala on January 21. See Page 17 for the details. Happy New Year HAA!