What Scuba Diving Taught Me About Running a Property Management Business
Spoiler: it’s not just about breathing underwater. It’s about how we breathe, lead, plan, and grow in business, too.
A few years ago, I tried scuba diving.
Hated it.
I couldn’t equalise. My ears felt like they were about to explode. My brain went into full panic mode. And instead of pushing through, I gave up. Told myself I wasn’t cut out for it.
Sound familiar?
Maybe not the scuba part—but the business version? That feeling that you’re not built for it? That maybe it’s all too hard?
That was me. Underwater. And in business—at the beginning.
Fast forward to this year, diving in Thailand. I gave it another crack. But this time? I didn’t just jump in and hope for the best.
I took the course. Understood the gear. The risks. The process.
Knowledge replaced fear.
And when I hit the same challenge with equalising? I didn’t give up. I kept going. And I loved it.
Turns out, scuba diving has a lot in common with running a property management business.
Here are five surprising business lessons from 18 metres underwater:
1. Fear Shrinks with Knowledge
When you don’t know what you’re doing, everything feels risky. That’s true underwater and in business.
I see this all the time with property managers who’ve started their own business. Without the right support, systems, or strategy, every decision feels like a gamble.
But when you learn? Get the right guidance? That fear fades fast.
As a property management business coach, I’ve seen clients go from anxious and unsure to confident and in control—simply because they finally had the knowledge and tools they were missing.
2. Consistent Breathing Creates Calm and Control
One of the first rules in scuba diving: never hold your breath.
You breathe slowly. Consistently. No matter what’s going on around you.
It keeps you steady, calm, and focused—even when conditions change.
In business, breathing looks like creating space in your day. It’s how you handle that tricky landlord. That team challenge. That moment where you’re stretched too thin.
Consistent systems. Consistent processes. A clear plan. These are the “breaths” of your business.
When everything feels frantic, what would it look like to just… breathe?
3. Buoyancy Takes Practice
You don’t just dive in and find your perfect depth.
You tweak. You adjust. You test. You learn to work with your gear.
Same with business.
Finding your rhythm as a business owner doesn’t happen on Day 1—or even Month 3. But if you keep tweaking and keep learning, that floaty, flowy feeling does come.
If you’re stuck in reactive mode, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re still adjusting your buoyancy.
4. Letting Go of Control Creates Space for Growth
This trip? I didn’t plan it. My partner did. I had to trust the dive instructor. My buddy. The process.
I couldn’t white-knuckle my way through it. And for someone who loves control? That was confronting.
But here’s the thing: when I stopped trying to control everything, the experience actually got better.
In your property management business, you can’t do it all. You need the right team. The right tools. The right trust in place. That’s where scale and sustainability start.
5. Every Dive Starts with a Plan
Before every dive, you check your gear. You confirm your air. You know your depth and direction. You don’t just hope it goes well.
Why do so many property management business owners skip this step in business?
Planning doesn’t mean perfection—but it sets you up to handle whatever currents come your way.
A great business plan isn’t just about growth—it’s about safety, confidence, and sustainable decisions.
Final Thoughts: Your Flow Is on the Other Side of a Few Small Shifts
Whether you’re 18 metres underwater or knee-deep in arrears and vacates, the principles are the same.
You’re not meant to hold your breath.
You’re not meant to do it alone.
And you are allowed to make small adjustments until it feels right.
If you’re a property manager turned business owner feeling like you’re treading water? This is your reminder: you’re not broken. You might just need better tools, support and space to find your buoyancy.
And if you want help with that? You know where to find me.
Need a hand finding your flow?
At Sidekick, we support property management business owners to scale sustainably—with strategy, systems, and support that actually works in the real world.
Learn more about working with us → book a discovery call
