hard-hat

The nights are crisp.  The days are shorter.  And the smell of leaves and football is in the air.  As Fall descends on the East Coast, the changing season is a catalyst for multiple family traditions.  For the Clark Household, this means a major Fall cleaning project (an exercise in resilience unto itself!) Everything starts at the top, so we worked our way from the attic down to the basement.  Deep in the crevices of the rafters, we came across a massive box full of my son’s  favorite old toys.  Since he is now a teenager, it seemed a logical place to de-clutter and donate!  Feeling nostalgic, I picked through the contents and came to the final toy in the box, a “Bob the Builder” action figure.  At one time, this was more valuable than gold.  For those not familiar, Bob the Builder was a character on an animated children’s show of the same name.  Bob was a hardworking general contractor with a hard hat and a full set of tools.  The catchy theme song punctuated his positive attitude and work ethic: “Can we build it?”  “Yes we can!”.   Bob the Builder also offers lessons for our own work and personal lives.  Regardless of our situation, at some point we need to put on our hard hat and get to work.

In our work lives, there are times we can over complicate and inflate our status in the office.  We refuse certain work that is “beneath” us.  We stifle communication with our boss because we feel superior.  We leave early because we feel entitled.  We look out for ourselves instead of helping our less experienced colleagues get up to speed.   Bob the Builder would be shocked!  Our job is a privilege and not a right.  Sometimes, we need to get back to the basics.  Show up for work on time and stay until  the job is done.  Take on new projects regardless of the prestige or the exposure.  Make sure our boss knows what we are working on and how we will reach our goals.  Lend a hand to a co-worker who may need extra help and attention.  It does not always have to be glamorous.  But if we put on our hard hat and do the little things, we will maximize our success when the big things come our way.

The same is true in our personal lives.  Perhaps we walk away from a relationship that is too much work.  Perhaps we play golf instead of attending one of our children’s events.  Perhaps we recline on the couch instead of doing our chores.  Perhaps we take our friends or neighbors for granted.  It’s time to buckle up that hard hat extra tight!  Relationships take an inordinate amount of work.  Little things such as showing the proper respect and establishing communication will go a long way.  Being present in our children’s lives is more than half the battle.  Sometimes, we need to set our leisure schedule aside and show up.  Doing our fair share of chores around the house should be table stakes.  Pitch in!  Acknowledging our neighbors with a simple wave and paying extra attention to our friends is the least we can do.  These relationships are treasures.  It does not have to be complicated.   It just takes a little bit of work.  We need to put on our hard hat and make it happen!

There is no substitute for hard work –Thomas Edison

This is especially true when we suffer a setback.  In the down times, we cannot curl up and let the waves of stress and pressure wash over us.  This is when we need to work the hardest!  We may feel sapped and demoralized, but our situation will not change on its own!    We may need to cut back on our expenses.  Or find a better-paying job.  We may need to apologize to a spouse or friend.  Or ask for help.  We may need to keep our house in order. Or double down on our relationships.  As long as we are taking action,  we are moving forward.  Resilience is not complicated.  It takes effort.  It takes grit.  It takes dedicated passion to improve our lives.  It may not be easy but we can all do it.  We just need to put on our hard hat and get to work!

It’s time to get back to the basics in our lives.  Work hard.  Show respect.  Communicate.  Demonstrate how we much we care by executing on the little things.  Let’s keep it simple.  Can we build a resilient life?  Yes we can!

Until next week, keep smiling!