Work Together

Our shed's cedar shingles survived their last year this year and needed a refresh. This is normally a job that I would have had to do myself. Since Drew is coming up on 15, he is able and was willing to help out.  I am used to tackling projects by myself, but it was refreshing to have some extra hands.

At first, we slowed down to figure out roles where we could work together. I demonstrated the importance of keeping straight lines on the shingles and how to nail without destroying the boards. Drew started pretty rough, but settled in to a good rhythm. I did correct and remind him of precision over brute force, but I kept my criticism to a minimum. I wanted him to contribute, but to also not be hating me the whole time while doing it.

Work together with your kids. Even if it slows you down at first, or if you have to correct a mistake or two. Work with joy and share the feeling of completing (or at least working on) a project together.  They will become better workers, and will also will have experience working with others.

3 Rules

I have read so much that I can't seem to place where I stole this idea. It's probably not mine, but more of a combination of concepts that work for me.

This is a short list that is easier read than done, but take it as a challenge to help you be a better person. In fact, if you do these things you will rise above your peers and you will more than likely lead others (be example, not demand) to be better people as well.

3 rules to live by in life, love, work, play...

1. Show up.
Be on time and ready. Put your game face and your uniform on. Be present and don't be distracted from the things that NEED to be done. If you are lacking focus, make a short list and comply with that before you start goofing off.

2. Do the work.
Whatever the job, task, assignment, or project is, just do it. Even if you don't see the value in it, do it. In retrospect, go to your boss (or yourself, if that is who is in charge) and analyze how you can improve or delete this task. You may be surprised that you can change a process and questioning the necessity is OK as long as you are doing that AFTER the immediate need of the task is done.

3. Have a good attitude.
Be that person that makes filling sandbags fun. Do your work with cheer. Find the humor in any situation and use that to keep a good attitude. Lift others up and don't let them drag you down. You are in charge of your own attitude and you DO NOT have to participate in everyone else's bad mood.

Keep Searching

In the last year, I have been on a mission to add to our income by looking in to side-hustles. This, optimally, would be something that can be managed in 8-10 hours a week with the possible help of my family. (The family help wouldn't be to torture my family, but instead, would be a way WE could earn cash for the household without being forced to spend any more time away from each other.)

I have looked in to carpet cleaning, auto detailing, selling screen-printed T-Shirts, Uber, growing crickets/bugs to sell to pet shops, and writing a children's book on Amazon (With the help of Maddy's art work!) I have watched youtube video tutorials as well as hit many forums and podcasts to get information on viability/profitability of these different types of ideas.

So far, I have only been inspired to write a small series of Children's books for digital publication on Amazon. The other ideas are fantastic hustles, but they require a time and dollar commitment that reflects more of a full-time hustle. These would all be great ideas if I were laid off or had more time to commit to their success.

I will continue to be curious and learn and search for that little "extra" thing that makes sense to consider. In the mean time, I have been watching less TV/Movies/News and do feel better about myself that I am spending more time on this hunt.

I am concerned that I have spent this time in "analysis" mode and haven't committed to one of the ideas. I need to take the next step and take action to make this research worth the effort. Even if I fail, it would be better than never trying in the first place.

Don't always do what everyone else is doing

Take a look around and always be aware of your surroundings and culture. However, look out for the pitfalls of jumping on the bandwagon.

It's OK to play along with our culture, but stop and think about if those things are adding value to your life in the short or long term. (Bud Light WAZZUP commercial, or Affliction TShirts are OK, refinancing your house every 6 months to buy cars and boats is NOT OK.)

The majority of Americans live beyond their means (usually on credit) as well as do not save/plan for retirement. In this sense, DO NOT BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. There were so many people in the lead up to the last housing crash that refinanced their houses with every increase in its value. They bought vacations, cars, boats, campers, off-road vehicles, snow mobiles. When the market crashed, they realized that they "re-bought" their houses over and over again, but only at a higher price. These people ditched their houses, ruined their credit, and probably weren't able to take advantage of the next housing boom due to ruined credit.

These people took those recovery years and since they were so irresponsible with their finances, had to forgo retirement savings to basically survive. Those depreciating toys did not offer the same comfort that my retirement account and pension will bring.

Your retirement is coming...plan for it. I know retirement seems like a long time away, but here are some interesting facts:

$40000 deposited at age 20 and left alone becomes over $1 million by age 60, by itself.

I don't want to post links that will expire, but search these terms:

percentage of americans living paycheck to paycheck

american retirement savings 

Start out living under your means (search Dave Ramsey) and put 10-15% of your paycheck into some sort of savings before you pay any other bill (and strive to put a bigger percentage away!) You will have money set aside for emergencies and won't have to put them on credit. You will also have money to have fun and buy toys (FOR CASH, not credit.) You will have a retirement that is more than likely more fun than your young years.

Don't wish your life away, enjoy the ride, but plan for the future.

9 Feb 2019 - Never Stop Learning

I hope you kids see your Mother and I continuing our learning journey and take this as an example on how to make the most of your lives.

I have never stopped learning and I never will stop.

From college courses, to continuing education and certifications, to hobbies, we need to keep our brains active. Carve out time in your day to expand your mind and your knowledge level. Do some research and save favorite websites that contain valuable information to further your research.

I will continue to ask you "What is something new that you learned today?" I know you hate this question and half the time, you give me a smart-ass answer, but I really want to challenge you to seek to learn. I will also report to you what I learned...in hopes to inspire you to participate in active learning and sharing of information.

24 Jan 2019 - Maintain a dialogue

The lesson this post is that keeping an open dialogue is worth it's weight in gold.

What I mean about this is that you should pick up the phone, or better yet, meet in person with the people that you work for. Right now, you guys are teenagers, and your bosses are your parents and your teachers. Later in life, your bosses are the ones that determine if you get to continue to work for them. If you are an entrepreneur, your bosses are your customers.

You can fix just about anything. However, if you fail to communicate, you could remain ignorant of a problem. Additionally, having the courage to ask "What can I do to make it right?" will net you rewards, every time you try it.

Ask your parents for help on anything. Ask your teachers how you can make up for a bad test or a missed assignment. Ask your boss what you can do to fix a mistake. It shows humility. When they give you advice, TAKE IT. and then TAKE ACTION to resolve the issue.

2019 Happy New Year!

I feel very hopeful for 2019. I have one high-schooler that got her driving permit (passed her test on the first try) and my son is right behind her next year. We will be adding another car to the stable at our house!

This is the first year in many that I have actually made a list of New Years' resolutions. I used to think it corny, but I have since decided to put my short-term goals into writing and making most of them attainable.

I am going to incorporate these (and new ones) into my life the entire year long. If you don't, they will soon lose their appeal. Since I run on calendars and lists for everything else, why not track my goals in the same fashion?