People of Construction

“In both business and life, waiting to get everything ‘just right’ is one of the most reliable ways to stall progress–and quietly miss your moment.  In business, momentum matters more than flawlessness.”   “A product launched today–even with rough edges–has something that waiting for perfection lacks:  feedback.  Customers react.  Markets respond.  Data accumulates.  Improvements happen in real time.  Each iteration builds on the last, and progress compounds.  Perfection compounds nothing. It keeps ideas in draft mode.  Strategies in meetings.  Products stuck in…

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My neighbor’s four year old daughter, Vera–who conversation wise is easily going on fifteen or sixteen–proudly and with much excitement in her voice, announced to me yesterday that she is graduating from preschool.  She has rather successfully finished one chapter in her life and soon will honor that achievement and move on to the next challenge.  I thought to myself, this kid is ready.  It would not surprise me that she was the valedictorian of her class. I like the feelings…

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When I started PEOPLE in February 2014, I was asked by various leaders in the industry what would be my ultimate goal, what would define success, how would I know when I reached success and my mission was accomplished?  For some reason which I now do not remember, I was running around town looking for support for my PEOPLE gathering idea.  I was told that before starting, I should outline agendas for my next several meetings so I would have some sort…

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“Far from random human inconveniences, strangers are actually one of the richest and most important resources we have.  They connect us to the community, teach us empathy, build civility and are full of surprise and potentially wonder.”  David Sax, Journalist “Sometimes when I’m feeling alienated from the human race, or baffled by the actions of another, I remind myself that every single person wants to be loved.  This isn’t a particularly rigorous thought about human psychology, but rather something that seems broadly…

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I have often compared a major commercial construction project to a giant 5000-piece puzzle.  Any one piece of the puzzle is highly dependent on the other 4,999 pieces.  Often the pieces must be placed in a certain sequence for a variety of reasons.  A delay in finding a lost piece can be a significant jolt to a schedule or to client relationships.  And, like any giant puzzle where multiple participants are involved, eventually all participants must coordinate their moves with…

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“When a photographer can’t change a scene, he changes his angles and lens to capture the best of that scene. Similarly, when you can’t change a situation in your life, change your perspective to get the best out of that situation.  When we shift our perspective, it helps us to accept things better, reduce our pain, cope with our situation and move forward with our life with courage” Random quote from “Writers and Authors” on LinkedIn Watching the athletes competing in…

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“If it is meant to serve you, and it doesn’t, replace it.  Daily things like your bag, your water bottle, your socks.  Find ones you actually like using.”  Alissa Gulin, Laurel, Md “We tend to forget that baby steps still move us forward.”  Becki Moss, Sarasota, Fl “Good conversations have lots of doorknobs.”  Samantha Good, Portland, Or “Stop trying to calm the storm.  Calm yourself, the storm will pass.”  Lyn Banghard, Easton, Md. “Even in the hardest of times, you…

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“If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi?  Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds?  Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?  For each one of us, there is a desert to travel.  A…

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“I open the door.  The gorgeous guest from afar sweeps in.  In her hands are her gifts–the gifts of hours and far-seeing moments, the gift of mornings and evenings, the gift of spring and summer, the gift of autumn and winter.  She must have searched the heavens for boons so rare.”  Abbie Graham “December’s gifts–custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration–come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories.  This is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns…

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“When life feels heavy, remember–even the moon goes through darkness before it shines again.  There are nights when everything feels too much—when doubt gets loud and your strength feels thin.  But darkness is not the end; it is a passage.  A moment.  A cycle.  Just like the moon, you are allowed phases; dim days; quiet days; days you disappear just to restore yourself.  Your light is never lost; it is simply gathering itself.  You will shine again—not despite the darkness,…

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