It's been a little while since I wrote for the blog. Around Portland it's "harvest season" right now, so that means 10-12 hour days, tons of estimates, and working on jobs. I play a lot of roles in the company like a lot contractors in this business. Today I'm tired as can be because I worked on getting a job ready for one of my remodelers so the drywall guys can come do their thing tomorrow. The homeowner has to move in at the end of the month, so we're under the gun. The good news is that I finally added a good new member to the team and we are rolling along now.
It's been a little while since I wrote for the blog. Around Portland it's "harvest season" right now, so that means 10-12 hour days, tons of estimates, and working on jobs. I play a lot of roles in the company like a lot contractors in this business. Today I'm tired as can be because I worked on getting a job ready for one of my remodelers so the drywall guys can come do their thing tomorrow. The homeowner has to move in at the end of the month, so we're under the gun. The good news is that I finally added a good new member to the team and we are rolling along now.
I read the article about the Boone family the other day and saw the old picture of the family in front of the truck. Then I saw the picture of Joe Boone Sr. in front of the NWFA booth renewing his membership and something clicked inside of me. You see, a few weeks ago I was watching the CBS evening news and I saw a segment that said that those who lead a sedentary lifestyle are at much greater odds for getting cancer than those who keep busy at moving their body.
The thought is that we all assume that this business is full of harsh chemicals and dust that are lurking around every corner waiting to kill us and give us cancer and other problems. But go look at the picture of Joe Boone Sr. (a true veteran who could have been exposed to a lot of bad environmental conditions over a long career), and I see someone who looks great.
I feel that this business, even though it isn't easy on the body, makes us all tougher and more physically and mentally fit for sure. It's up to us, though, to make sure we protect our hearing, wear respirators, and even do some stretches and exercise when possible. Eight hours of edging can certainly beat one hour on a treadmill for making you tough, so if that's what you did today, then you deserve to skip the gym.
I often spend a lot of time worrying about if I'm doing the right thing and being healthy enough while operating this business. I have two wonderful sons and a phenomenal wife that I want to spend every minute of my days with, so I want to do everything possible to make that happen. The days in wood floors are really tough and occasionally we all want to quit and go do something else when someone complains about our work, or an employee quits, etc …
How about we all make a new agenda? Let's quit worrying about the wrong stuff in this business like annoying homeowners and let's start focusing on the right stuff. I'm not saying that we should all become lazy, but I thought we should take a break and make more time for our family and friends. Why not turn off your phone after 5 p.m.? Why not get off the computer for a few days and head out camping? Will all of it really matter in five years? Not really. So, in the end, let's focus on the important stuff in life like our sanity and being happy and make everything else priority number two. It's a wonderful career and the hard work will keep you robust forever if you're smart. Live on, my friends, and work hard. Love your family and friends because they're priceless.
