Some time ago, I started challenging my project teams to quite simply, “do better.” It was meant to be a little satirical, even humorous, as we dealt with the constant challenges and complexities of our work. But over time, something interesting happened.

That phrase began to take on a life of its own. Consultants picked it up. Contractors repeated it, and before long, whenever an opportunity arose to improve coordination, communication, or execution, we found ourselves smiling and saying, “Okay, let’s do better.” What began as a challenge slowly became a shared mindset.

Without realizing it, we had created a positive affirmation that we were all saying. Those two words did not discourage or criticize. They became a reminder that improvement is always possible. They didn’t imply failure; they invited growth. They didn’t demand perfection; they encouraged progress. And that’s important, because both in construction and in life, we are constantly navigating complexity. There are distractions, setbacks, missed steps, and moments when progress slows. In those moments, a simple, repeated reminder like “do better” can recalibrate our focus and move us back onto the critical path.

-Neihlee Muir, Construction Projects Manager, I Will Prepare the Way Before You, BYU-I Devotional, Feb 3, 2026