There’s something I’ve always done in property management that has served me well—something people often questioned, especially early on. From the outside, it might have looked like I was doing a lot of short-term work with little immediate payoff. But what they couldn’t see were the long-term benefits quietly building in the background.

What I was really doing was filling people’s buckets of good faith through going the extra mile.

People often ask why I go the extra mile—why I put in extra time or detail for tenants, landlords, or contractors when there’s no clear or immediate benefit. But here’s the thing: I believe that even if there’s no guaranteed return, there’s still incredible value in offering consistently great service.

Because more often than not, that good faith comes back—sometimes in a month, sometimes a year, and sometimes a decade later. And even if it doesn’t? At least I know I’ve left someone with a positive experience. That in itself is a win.

But in practice, this mindset has paid off time and time again.

I’ve had landlords contact me at the last minute, wanting to pop in and check on their property. And while short notice tenant access isn’t something we can demand, I’ve found that when tenants feel respected and looked after—when their buckets have been filled—they’re much more likely to help out. A polite ask often results in a warm yes, simply because the relationship has been built on trust and care.

It’s the same with landlords and contractors. By working a little harder now—by putting in those small acts of thoughtfulness and professionalism—we create a foundation of goodwill. That goodwill opens doors, builds resilience in relationships, and makes everything flow more smoothly down the track.

So when someone tells you you’re working too hard for no reason, that you’re putting in too much effort for not enough return, remind yourself: they’re probably only looking at the short-term. But you’re playing the long game.

Because just as a short-term win can turn into a long-term problem, some short-term effort can lead to long-term success.

And when the time comes to cash in on a bucket of good faith? The return is often massive—whether it’s in opportunities, collaboration, or just a great feeling all around.