Demolition Friend

It’s not unfamiliar territory.

Another home improvement project is started. We purchased our 30-year-old home seven years ago. Yes, we’ve been Here before, we found another “fix-err-upper.”

Renovation of the upstairs was postponed for several years. Wisdom insisted that our home improvement plans for this real estate wait while I launched Next Level Executive Coaching, LLC in January 2008.

In 2012 we employed a General Contractor and updated the upstairs bath. If you can imagine a “harvest gold” bathroom so popular decades ago, you understand our decision. The project turned out great; however the experience was less than desirable.

Previously, we ran our own home improvement projects with the sub-contractors. Having grabbed success from previous efforts it was time to take the bull by the horns again. We are back in business as “working general contractor team.”

Decisions often come down to a question of time or money; you can only save one. Sweat equity is what they call it. Combining our skills and experience, it’s game on!

The Action Stimulus

Previously beautiful, off-white carpet serves as one instigator. It was time to breathe life back into our stairway with a combination of wood and iron. Anticipating the transformation for years, we chased our dream.

Higher than expected bids bids rolled in. But so did knowledge and understanding of the solution. I milked each conversation for knowledge of stairway systems and solutions. Google “research” provided more inspiration and knowledge. Knowledge becomes power.

Buoyed by previous successes I became bold as Tool Time Tim. Experience builds confidence.

Last weekend, it all came together (in my mind) and I believed: “I can do this! Factor in significant savings from the bid and I was sold. Time and money — we can only save one and this time money wins.

Riding this power trip and propelled by such confidence I proclaimed to Rita, “I am going to replace the stairs. I’ll begin on the back stairway before taking on the main entrance.”

Comforted by my plan to start with the back stairway, Rita was considerate and supportive.

Harvesting red oak stair treads and pine risers at Lowe’s I saved $1,000. This lumberjack drove home ready to impress my supportive General Contractor.

Who invited you?

Then, it happened. The Resistance — that irrational voice of fear whispered loud in my head. Attacked by fiery darts of doubt my position weakened.  The freezing chill of fear made it hard to move. This highly confident Do-It-Yourself Craftsman blinked. What if…?

Who has your back?

Rita loves the demolition part of improvement projects. Obliterating what stands in the way of creative improvement brings her great joy.

What happened when I blinked?

Rita went to the garage and found the crow bar. Fearlessly, she attacked formerly carpeted stairway. Staple-scared 2×12 rough pine stair treads we no match for my “Demolition Friend.”

That’s all it took.

Remember playing freeze tag as a kid? With that one move, she tagged me and I was free to pursue my goal. Once again, I was bold, like a lion.

Old Strategy

It is familiar territory. You’ve been here, too, right?

What do you need when fear threatens?

For me, it is someone outside me. Someone who knows me, believes in me, sees what I can be (and do) and who “pushes me” to go for it.

You are Here and you can see There.  It’s time to take action. You know what got you Here will not get you There. You hear the screaming whisper as Fear sows seeds of doubt.

You have knowledge and experience (power and sufficient confidence.)

But to get There you must leave your comfort zone — a life of status quo thinking, behavior, and performance — a non-threatening life.

To move forward you must enter the safety zone — you calculate the risk, face it for what it is and go for it.

Come listen to the Story. Let it speak of your win/loss record and see if you don’t have more wins than losses. Fight back and don’t let fear steal your adventure and victory.

Who is your Demolition Friend?

After all, it’s your leadership improvement project…