It seems that everywhere we turn these days, we are confronted with the word that has defined the last few months: uncertainty. It’s the boogeyman of economics and it makes investors shiver and cry out for protection and reassurance. In the face of uncertainty, capital will retreat to safety. That’s how, a century ago, household budgets ended up divided into labeled envelopes, mortared into walls and tucked away under mattresses.
Thankfully, we’re not quite at that stage, even if our 401(k)s aren’t what they were just a few weeks ago. These are trying times and investors of all types will look to us for answers about how our communities may be affected. Sure, things will slow but they will not stop. Incredibly, even when challenges unfold on a massive scale, life still moves forward. It must. Human life requires us to seek food, shelter, fun and one another. As an example, despite all the hellfire brimming from TV news, our downtown saw 8.7 million visits by 3.3 million unique visitors in the first quarter and those numbers are on par with last year. Yes, we’re peeved that the NASDAQ has taken a bath but we still have to eat, plus it’s baseball season and the Rockets made the playoffs. People are still coming downtown!
Surrounded by messages fueling so much uncertainty, our greatest strength lies in focusing on what we can control. Our effort, our attitude, our choices—these are the tools always within reach. With people placing demands on the places we manage, there will always be something we can do and often it is largely within our sphere of influence and control. Streets to sweep, prospects to tour, events to promote and a community to build.
Life will throw curveballs, the media will make noise but our power lies in showing up with consistency and intention. When we stop wasting energy on what we cannot change and instead channel it into what we can, we reclaim our peace and inspire others to do the same. Progress isn’t about perfect conditions; it’s never been perfect anyway. If it was, you’d be bored.
We thrive in the face of imperfection—it’s what inspires us to think creatively and improve the communities we serve. Our actions are our anchors and those anchors provide the stability our communities and stakeholders need right now. So we focus our efforts on that which we can control. Breathe. Show up. Keep going. That’s how strength is built—not in the absence of chaos but in the decision to soldier through and, ultimately, learn from new challenges and grow stronger in the process. Keep our feet firmly rooted in fulfilling the needs of our communities and let the rest pass like weather. We’re stronger than the storm.