March 20, 2025, marked the first day of spring this year from an astronomical perspective; from a meteorological perspective, spring is defined as March 1–May 31 each year. This day is defined as when the vernal equinox, which occurs when the earth’s axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun, results in roughly equal daylight and darkness at all latitudes. Each year, it occurs between March 19 and March 21, depending on the earth’s orbit and position around the sun. In Florida, it represents the last bit of lower humidity and dryness before hurricane season arrives. It also represents spring breakers invading the beaches, and car carriers taking the snowbirds back to the places they headed south to to escape the harsh winters.

 

Finding Inspiration for Career and Company Renewal in Construction

 

In the Bible, in Isaiah 43:19, spring speaks to a symbol of God’s promise to do something new and bring new life where it was dry or buried. Unexplainably deep within us, aroused from marketing messages or being transplanted from areas of obvious season changes, this time of year, we oftentimes want newness or change. Why not get inspired to spruce up your career or help your company or someone else with something that will represent anew? Here are suggestions on each:

 

Discover the Genuine You: Knowing Yourself Is Key to Landing (and Keeping) the Job

 

So often, people ask how they should act in an interview. My answer is always: like yourself. That can pose a challenge if they don’t like themselves and want to be someone else or they don’t know themselves. Individuals who can’t clearly define what they can fully take responsibility for and what they may need training or support with are most often passed on by the most stable companies. I further explain to the individual I am guiding that employers want an attitude that you are willing to do what is asked or needed while having the ability to communicate what you don’t know because you either haven’t yet been responsible for it or are not apt to lead in that area with the same aptitude another may have. After all, if you understand construction management, your job is to manage risk daily, and each person on the team and their ability and behavior play into the risk factor for the project and the company.

Investing in assessments like DiSC and Working Genius can help you identify your natural tendencies and your innate gifts and talents. Once you identify your special giftings, you can understand how you best contribute to the workplace and work on how to communicate this at work, boosting your productivity and morale while preventing guilt, judgment, burnout, and so much more. After all, the genuine you is who gets the job and keeps the job.

 

Digital Decluttering in the Construction Industry: Office or Jobsite Spring Cleaning

 

In today’s technological world, this can stretch beyond being the one to move the office furniture to clean where the cleaning service doesn’t go or wipe that smudge of the jobsite trailer door that has been there for months. Setting aside dedicated time to organize your digital world or helping another in your office, maybe someone not as tech-savvy as you, to do digital decluttering can help with risk management and create a more pleasant and efficient workspace for you or the person you are assisting.

 

Digital decluttering proposes:

• Organize Files: Create a logical filing system for your computer and cloud storage.
• Delete Unnecessary Files: Get rid of old or redundant documents and emails.
• Tidy Up Your Inbox: Implement a system for organizing and archiving emails.
• Organize Your Computer: Clear out your desktop and organize your programs.

 

Liven Things Up: Simple Ways to Boost Morale and Brighten the Construction Workplace

 

Now, if just hearing the word “cleaning” feels emotionally exhausting, don’t worry, because there are other ways to bring a sense of freshness and renewal to your workspace and uplift those around you.

• Swap out old or worn items for something new or add color or texture to your desk or, with permission, around the office.
• Bring spring treats to share with your team or place a candy dish on your desk to create an open invitation for connection.
• Incorporate flowers or plants; not only do they represent spring, but studies show they can boost memory and attention span by up to 20%.

I look forward to connecting with each of you who accepts this invitation to look within, beneath the surface, like searching under the sofa cushions of your soul to discover the hidden treasures waiting inside. You may uncover areas ready for renewal and growth, revealing more of your authentic self. You are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment, yet with intentional action, you can awaken something new, bringing fresh life not only to your personal journey but to your career as well.

Will you take a step toward managing your own risk? After all, that’s what construction management is all about.

 

To Signing Up for Spring Cleaning,

 

Suzanne Breistol