As a consultant, I’m fortunate to have a lot of control over the projects I work on and the timelines I follow. For the most part, my work is pretty straightforward, and I can manage my schedule to keep things balanced. But there’s one big exception: launch day.

When a client is launching a new website, it’s all hands on deck. Launch day doesn’t come around often, but when it does, it’s a marathon. There’s a ton of preparation involved: data migration, final testing, and, of course, the dreaded DNS switch. These aren’t quick tasks, and they’re critical. It’s the kind of day where you clear your schedule and grab an extra coffee (decaf for me!)

Fortunately, I get to work with fantastic teams. Everyone shows up prepared, knows their role, and handles their part with care. It’s a relief to collaborate with such smart and capable people because, let’s be honest, even the best plans can hit a snag. But we tackle any issues head-on, and by the end of the day, the new site is live. After all the effort, seeing the site up and running makes it worth the long hours. Then, we move forward, knowing we’ve accomplished something big together.

Launch days are intense, but they remind me why I do what I do. It’s not just about the work; it’s about the teamwork and the sense of achievement that comes with seeing a project come to life.