Hot Days and Muddy Showers
Those of you who know me know how much I love a good challenge. This one had it all, trial and error, patience, heavy lifting, and sweaty, dusty heat. The satisfaction that came along with the end of this project is something I can't even put into words. Today marked the end of a project that has been two summers in the making, and I am so glad to see it through.
some progress shots of this week’s project
One of the challenges I've been facing during this season of working for myself has been the feeling of not seeing the big picture. Finishing a big project like this desert-scaped yard was just the moment I needed to see the progress I've made. Its one of the hardest parts I think. When you work for yourself you go through a period of having to learn how to reward yourself. It's a surprising learning curve trying to figure out how to critique your work, but also pat yourself on the back as your prpjects come together. I'm not sure its a challenge I thought I'd have to face so often. I don't know if we ever learn how to balance our successes with our to-do lists.
I think maybe we all have a tendency to focus so much on everything else we still need to do. We fpcus on the goals we haven't reached yet, and there's a time and a place for that mindset. When you work for yourself, when you rely on yourself for jobs and paychecks, I think it becomes harder to pause when there's always something else to pursue. It becomes a challenge in itself to just sit back and look at the list you've already checked the boxes on. That satisfaction is a skill that is as important in running a business as balancing the books.
There's no feeling quite as satisfying as a project wrapping up after seasons of planning and work and planning again. One week, fifteen yards of gravel, one little kubota tractor and some good music is all it took to pull me out of whatever summer slump was dragging me through these hot days of July. This week there's no employee appreciation barbeque to sit and chat with all the teammates working through the challenges, but there are sandwiches shared with fellow contractors over cardboard wrapped floors. There's no gift basket from management, but there's hat compliments and ranching stories swapped over truckbeds. The muddy shower at the end of each day is the bonus that comes this summer season, and it's more than enough.
long tractor hours make for dusty hats and proud farmers
It's okay, and I'd argue it's critically important, to take pride in each project finished under your own supervision. I've encountered so many wonderful business owners on this journey, and I know this is a skill we all get to learn each day as we go. Knowing that we're all still learning it everyday helps, too. The grit comes each time we remember to celebrate the small wins, and the grit builds each time we remember it again and again.
So whatever projects you’re accomplishing wherever you may be, well done and you know you got this, too.