Do you ever think about what you do for others? If you’re in construction, you build homes and maintain them. You fix problems, and if your job is done well, no one ever notices. That’s how it should be.
At our Thanksgiving table last week, as we began sharing what we were grateful for, our three-year-old great nephew said that he’s grateful for his house. Someone built that house.
In construction, you give others a place to eat, sleep, relax, learn, grow, be entertained, conduct business, and fall in love. The work you do keeps everyone warm and cozy in the winter and comfortable the rest of the year.
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If the furnace breaks down, the air conditioning quits, the toilet backs up, the hot water tank dies, or the lights won’t come on, does anyone call their attorney? Do they notify the government? No, they call a contractor and ask for help as soon as possible. Since we care, we do our best to help them as quickly as possible. I remember spending one Christmas Eve on the roof of a restaurant repairing a heating system. I’m sure some of you have similar stories.
Every one of us in the construction industry should be proud of our contribution to the health and well-being of society. We spend years learning our trade, and we do it well.
Without us, families wouldn’t have a place to get together for the holidays. I don’t know how the weather is where you live, but when it’s cold, wet, and rainy here, I don’t want to share a turkey with my family in a cedar plank hut over a smoky fire. I’m addicted to the creature comforts that my home provides, and I suspect you are as well. Those comforts are provided by skilled workers in the construction industry.
We aren’t always appreciated. There’s always a blockhead looking to find fault with our work or with us. But have you noticed that when a client tells you what a great job you did, you forget about the blockhead? I’m willing to learn from my mistakes but I also appreciate a good word from a happy client, and that’s where I try to keep my focus.
That’s it. It’s the holiday season and we want you to know that the work you’re doing is recognized and appreciated.
Free Time Coming Up?
If you have some spare time on your hands these next few weeks, plan to do some reading. If you feel guilty sitting with a book to read, consider it a work assignment. Our friend Todd Milton sent a recommended reading list you can peruse here, and please add your own suggested readings in the comments.
Also
May I ask each of you to consider helping a veteran? There are two ways to do this. If you know a veteran who needs help around the house, like fixing a stopped up sink, repairing a broken window, or adjusting a sticking door, take a minute to lend them a hand. These are the little problems that cause a lot of annoyance and that they might not be able to fix themselves if they are disabled.
The other way you can help is to hire one. If they don’t have all the skills that you need for the position, hire them anyway and teach them. Almost all veterans have the BS out of their systems by the time they leave the service, so they’re usually a safe gamble. Investment. Give them some hope and some help by offering them a chance to learn a skill and take care of their families. Thank you.
The knowledge and experience Michael Stone gained in his 60+ years in construction has helped thousands of contractors improve their businesses and their lives. He is the author of the books Markup & Profit Revisited, Profitable Sales, and Estimating Construction Profitably, and is available for one-on-one consultations.
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