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14 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / March 2020 Building Relationships bootscons t ruct i on. com 303.721 .5800 950 17 th Street Suite 1300 Denver, CO 80202 Keeping Things in Perspective: Finding the Balance R ecently I was given a gut check that seemed notable and worth sharing. It led to several questions those of us in design, development, construction, brokerage, etc., might consider.Doyourememberwhyyougot into your profession? Was it more exciting then or did it mattermore toyou in the beginning?Have youkept your inspirationor doyouneed to find it again?Have you kept balance? A professor I greatly admire, Phil Gallegos, recently retired from the University of Colorado’s College of Architecture and Planning – the only such school in Colorado. He’s credited with founding, against high odds, the most successful design and build program of all the architecture schools in the nation. In addition, he led CU’s new undergraduate school of architecture. It’s also the most diverse architecture program in the U.S. On top of that, he raised four daughters with his latewife, earnedhisdoctorate inarchitectureandrana highly successful architecture firmalong the way. And he’s not done yet. When giving his final remarks at his retirement par- ty, he said that hewas proud tohave beenpart of those accomplishments, but that they were not him; they weren’t his soul. That stoppedme inmy tracks. He nev- er lost sight of who he was, where he was trying to go andwhatmattered to him. I’mnot suremany of us can say the same. Our work is so fast-paced. Whether you’re in design, brokerage, law, consulting, property man- agement, owner representation or development, the real estate industry is demanding. It’s com- plex and challenging. The rewards vary, but there are unique opportunities in this industry for an uncommon level of recognition, and there is tre- mendous satisfaction that comes from seeing an idea come to life in the built environment – not to mention the potential financial gains. The work provides for a living and a lifestyle. On its good days, it’s fun. On its great days, it’s a major high. But if you don’t make a point of always fighting for that thing that gives your life real purpose, this business can be all consuming. It can slowly erode at everything else that matters to you, in- cluding your soul. A Never-Ending Balancing Act When you are building a business in this industry, Martin Goldstein Principal Architect, Venture Architecture Bridging the Gap