When I typically plan my article thoughts out, sometimes the topic comes to me easily, or it’s about the season that I am in. For some reason, this one seems a little tougher than the other articles that I have written. Please do not mistake this as complaining, as I am so grateful for my partnerships, customers, and all the priceless relationships that I’ve made throughout my almost 30 years in the shed industry.
Facing the Day Ahead
I wake up some days, and it’s hard to put that other foot in front of the other and to just face the day ahead. For me, I start anticipating what issues might arise, who might call—what problems I may face today. When everything is smooth and the deals are flowing, the day has a much better look to it. Those days seem to be few and far between when you are operating at high volume.
Staying Motivated and Managing Stress
I will be the first to admit that it’s a challenge to psych myself up, get motivated, and have that zest every day. I never, ever want to be negative to where it hurts a deal or potentially loses a customer.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed and feel burned out. This is a result of long hours, stress, workload, and balancing work-life (I’m sure that you feel my pain). For me, it’s imperative that I spend quality time with family and take those vacations—I mean really take a vacation where you unplug and limit yourself to no phone contact about work.
Learning to Unplug
Unplugging from work while I’m on vacation is a real challenge for me because I’m the owner. This is a subject that I don’t have all the answers to, but if I did, I would add it to my Ten Core Commitments for Success in the Shed & Carport Industry and integrate it immediately.
The good news is that I have learned a few things along the way that can help, such as making sure to get plenty of sleep, prioritizing self-care, good nutrition, and exercise, and setting boundaries. It’s also very important to learn when and how to say “no.” I cannot be everything to everybody—and neither can you.
Taking Control of Your Day
Like Jim Rohn famously said, “You run the day, or the day will run you.”
Most mornings, I try to reframe my perspective from “I have to go to work” to “I get to go to work and help people.” I am in business to help others, and it is of the utmost importance that I maintain a positive attitude and show gratitude in all situations—and not give in to those negative emotions.
Choosing Purpose Over Perfection
Most often, self-talk can help me snap out of a funk—I call it a checkup from the neck up. We have all been there. We all have good days and bad days, but we must deal with them.
The shed industry is full of some of the best people and support systems anywhere. I learned a long time ago to stop chasing perfection and remember to instead choose purpose.
Showing Up Anyway
In the end, I’ve learned to show up even when I don’t want to or feel like it, no matter what. I have to chew my frustration and spit it out. The real victory isn’t in the highlight reel, Facebook post, or Instagram reel—it’s in the quiet steps that no one sees behind the scenes.
I simply strive to be better than I was yesterday and to be the nicest person that my customers have ever encountered.
Final Thoughts
Shed nation, please remember that we may not know what the day holds, but we know who holds our day. Always look to our Lord Jesus Christ for guidance and keep on keeping on.
Be blessed.
