Don’t Hang In The Balance

Balancing work and life (or should it be balancing work into life), especially when growth (prospecting and sales pressure) intensifies, requires intentional strategy, not just grit. Here are a few of my gathered thoughts on how we can stay industry productive without burning out.

As with any good first step, take a few moments to (re)define what balance means to you. Accept that balance may shift seasonally; aim for a rhythm over perfect equilibrium during high-demand periods. You have felt the steep curve as the summer holidays end, the fall is coming, and you can see the “winter months” on your 90-day calendar. Use the slower industry moments to recharge, refine your processes, and reconnect with personal priorities!

Since the primary resource in balance is time, time-block with purpose. There is fancy words for dedicating specific blocks of time to your work goals (prospecting, follow-ups, and others) and your time. Protect your time…fiercely! Likely, you have a calendar; do you leverage its functionality? Ask your favorite browser, or yep, an AI tool, as it can lead you to some amazing calendar hacks that will give you back some valuable time that you may be using for admin tasks in your day.

Speaking of tools, beyond your new friend Chat GPT, leverage technology and resources to help automate or delegate your tasks. Are you getting productivity and data out of your CRM tool? Do you know—or have you—considered delegating non-sales functions to a virtual assistant (a self-employed professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location, typically a home office) or support staff to free up your time, or in other words, bandwidth? Tech and tools are valuable, but people are rewarded in a balanced life and work. Beyond your work friends, work-wives, or work-husbands, tap into industry associations such as the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA), the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), or the Metal Construction Association (MCA). Professional peer groups like these can offer fresh ideas and strategies, perhaps (depending on your committee involvement) some accountability, and most of all, support and reminders that you are not alone in the hustle.

As an active member/participant in all three and as the president of the MBCEA, I can and will share several practical tools and community benefits that directly support my work-life balance.

Networking and peer learning through metal building industry associations help by offering targeted support, shared resources, and strategic connections that can reduce stress and increase efficiency.

Imagine a faster and more accurate real-life path to project job site answers or practices

Speaking specifically to the MBCEA, did you know that as a member, with a few simple clicks, there are resources such as the Employee Safety Guide and Toolbox Talks to help you delegate and lead safety protocols, all reducing time spent creating materials from scratch or even off the top of your hard hat?

Need more concrete (wait, I thought this was a metal industry magazine!) evidence of the power of membership for operational efficiency: How about crew-sourcing and access to a job board to help you fill gaps quickly, reducing last-minute stress and maybe even overtime? For example, use the searchable member directory and connect with another contractor to learn more about implementing staggered crew schedules without compromising deadlines.

Many schools of thought believe that to grow, we must keep learning. Some even say, “learn something new each day.” When should this happen, with a full day on-site or at the office? Many industry learning platforms are available online, allowing the control and flexibility to learn on your schedule at your own pace. The Metal Buildings Institute’s primary goal is to improve the quality of in-place metal building construction by providing online education and training programs to metal building contractors, erectors, and students in construction programs, for the direct benefit of specifiers, designers, and owners. Upskill your team, without disrupting your schedule.

Are you a vendor partner in the industry? The professional associations are likely comprised of your customers, and more than likely your business prospects. If your role involves sharing the return on investment (ROI) of your time and capital with senior leadership, an association membership can be described as a high-conversion activity. Regularly review your participation or sales methods for the results, then double down on the most successful ones. Don’t spin your wheels or count on “hope” as a success strategy. Monitor the association website (e.g., mbcea.org/events/) for webinars for industry education, local and or annual conference events which support/promote product showcases and limit your need to travel constantly, and even better: fewer cold calls. Working into life balance isn’t just a personal goal, it’s a shared responsibility. Membership in these groups turns that pursuit into a collaborative, supported, and achievable reality. United voices in associations can push for industry-wide changes like adaptable job site hours, mental health resources, or even family leave policies.

Ironically, before closing out, I would be remiss if I did not share about boundaries and how we must communicate them. It is possible to achieve business objectives without burnout. A personal example is the mutually defined windows of my availability (“Hey, you can text me anytime, but please know any calls after 6 p.m. will be returned the next day.”) I have with my colleagues. Yes, it works! Remember what you read a few paragraphs ago: Protect your time…fiercely!

Joining and being active in an industry peer association anchors your professional growth in shared wisdom and support, empowering you to work smarter, build resilience, and create (more) space for a balanced work-life space.

Robert Tiffin’s passion for creating positive change motivates him daily. The metal building systems industry is changing, and Tiffin actively creates opportunities to forge a new perception by thinking well outside the colloquial “pre-engineered metal box.” As the national accounts manager of Silvercote—a laminator in custom insulation solutions—Tiffin leads foundation customer relationships in the United States and Canada. He drives interaction with the market, designer/specifiers, and end-use owners, as they are the critical connections to the industry’s future. As a fervent advocate of collaboration with industry associations, Tiffin connects his peers and network as the president of the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA) and as the chair of the architects committee of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA).