Mindfulness helps you slow things down and be more present in the current moment. Through mindfulness, you can respond to your feelings in a reflective, compassionate way. It can even help you regulate your emotions over time.
Speed squares are more suited for framing, measuring, and marking cut layouts. For stair building, a framing square is a much better tool; with a few tweaks, it can become...
People-watching is not spying. It's more discreet, it's not just focused on one specific person (you're observing the people around you in general), and it doesn't involve following anyone around...
Try different forms of meditation throughout the day. You could concentrate on your breath, practice visualization, or sit without distractions for a few minutes a day.