Keep building – no matter what

Finding Perspective in Unexpected Places

There are days when everything feels like too much. The deadlines, the nonstop calendar alerts, the constant pull of responsibilities—it all stacks up. And in the middle of that noise, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure about what to do next.

But sometimes clarity doesn’t come from another productivity hack or a motivational quote. Sometimes it comes from looking out the window and noticing something that’s been there all along.

The View That Grounds Me

My office has a big picture window that I treasure. Even though I live right in the heart of the city, nature still finds its way in. Just outside the window is a holly tree that attracts constant activity—birds and squirrels (both of which we feed), the occasional lizard or snake (uninvited but still fascinating).

Years ago, a snapping turtle wandered into our small backyard water lily pond. She ended up living there for five years. Every time I stepped outside, she’d paddle over like a dog expecting a treat. There was something quietly grounding about her presence.

Nature, even in a small corner of the city, offers reminders that life is always moving, even when it feels like it isn’t.

A Spider With a Message

Recently, I noticed a spinybacked orbweaver spider had spun a web right in front of my office window. (Growing up, we called them crab spiders.) I began watching her daily. She worked with such consistency, returning again and again to the same task: building, adjusting, repairing.

One particularly windy day, I noticed she wasn’t resting in the center of the web like usual. Instead, she was on the outer edge, bracing herself against the wind and working to repair sections that had been damaged. She wasn’t waiting for the storm to pass. She just kept doing the work.

That image stayed with me.

The Work Doesn’t Wait

I’ve worked with speakers and meeting planners for years. It’s meaningful work, and I genuinely enjoy it—but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are times when the pace is intense, and the pressure feels heavy. In those moments, the temptation to pause and wait for everything to calm down is strong.

But what if things don’t calm down? What if the “right time” never comes?

That spider offered a quiet lesson in resilience. She didn’t stop and wait for conditions to improve. She made repairs right then, in the middle of the wind. And when you think about it, that’s often the only real option we have—to keep building, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Stress Is Real—and So Are the Solutions

We all have different thresholds for stress, but none of us is immune to it. The key is figuring out how to keep going without burning out. Over the years, I’ve learned a few techniques that help me stay grounded when things feel overwhelming:

1. Take Intentional Breaks

It’s tempting to power through a stressful day, but that only leads to exhaustion. I’ve learned to step away from my desk, take a short walk, or just breathe for a few minutes outside. A ten-minute break can reset your entire mindset.

2. Set Micro-Priorities

Instead of tackling an endless to-do list, I write down three core priorities each morning. Just three. That’s the framework I work from. It keeps me focused and prevents decision fatigue when my brain is already overloaded.

3. Talk to Someone

When stress builds, it helps to say things out loud. Whether it’s a close friend, a colleague, or a professional, talking gives you space to process and regroup. You don’t have to carry it all alone.

4. Limit the Noise

In chaotic moments, I reduce digital distractions. That might mean turning off notifications, limiting email checks to once an hour, or taking a brief social media detox. Fewer inputs help me stay focused on what matters most.

What Progress Really Looks Like

There’s this idea that progress should feel big, bold, and fast. But the truth is, real progress often looks small and quiet. It’s a task finished despite exhaustion. A hard conversation handled with care. A repaired thread of a metaphorical web when you’d rather just start over.

That spider didn’t wait for conditions to be perfect, and neither should we. Progress made in the middle of the storm is still progress. In fact, it might be the most meaningful kind.

Final Thoughts: Keep Building

Whatever challenge you’re facing right now—professionally, personally, emotionally—remember that you don’t need to have everything figured out to keep moving. You don’t need the perfect plan or the calmest conditions. You just need to take the next small step.

Even when the wind is blowing.
Even when the pressure is high.
Even when you’d rather wait for a better moment.

Keep building. Keep going. You’re doing more than you think.