Staying Calm in the Weeds: The Key to Construction Success
We’ve all been there—completely overwhelmed, buried under tasks, feeling like you can’t keep up. In the service industry, we call it being "in the weeds." It’s that moment when you’ve got too many tables, orders are wrong, drinks are late, and customers are getting impatient. But guess what? That same feeling happens in construction, in business, and in life. Whether you're a contractor juggling multiple job sites or an entrepreneur managing projects and clients, the weeds are inevitable. The real lesson? It’s not about avoiding the weeds. It’s about how you handle them.
Back in my days waiting tables, I learned that staying calm in the weeds was the key to survival. The best servers weren’t the ones who never got overwhelmed; they were the ones who stayed cool when everything was falling apart. They knew the storm would pass. They understood that panic doesn’t solve problems—communication does.
Here’s the thing about being in the weeds: it’s never as bad as it feels. The biggest mistake people make when they’re overwhelmed is shutting down. They ignore the problem, avoid the tough conversation, or pretend everything’s fine when it’s not. In the restaurant world, that looks like avoiding the table where you know the food order is wrong. In construction, it’s ignoring that email from the client asking about a delay or avoiding the tough call with a subcontractor who missed a deadline.
But here’s the truth—ignoring the problem makes it worse.
When you’re in the weeds, the best thing you can do is communicate. In the restaurant, I’d walk up to the table and say, “Hey folks, I’m going to be honest—I’m getting smoked right now. I’ve got a lot going on, but I want to make sure you’re taken care of. What can I get you right now while I catch up?” People appreciated that honesty. They weren’t mad that I was busy—they were grateful I acknowledged them and set expectations.
Construction is the same. As a contractor, your clients don’t expect perfection. They expect honesty. If you’re behind schedule, don’t avoid it. Send the email, make the call: “Hey, we’ve hit a few delays, but here’s what we’re doing to get back on track.” That simple act builds trust. It shows your clients that you’re in control, even when things aren’t perfect.
And here’s the kicker—setting expectations reduces your own stress. When you communicate clearly, you’re not carrying the weight of unspoken problems. You’re not dreading that call because you’ve already made it.
The lesson learned? Don’t be ashamed of being in the weeds. It happens to everyone. The key is to communicate when you’re there. Whether you’re running a job site, managing a team, or navigating life, clear, honest communication will always pull you through.
That’s the LLC—Lesson Learned Conversation—of the day. Stay calm in the weeds. Communicate. And remember, this too shall pass.
