Tag: projects

You Are a Builder

Jennifred Jones

What are you building? Are you building anything today?

We are all builders…building something. Will it last? Is it sturdy to withstand pressure and use? Can others benefit from it? If it’s just for me, will it be good for me?

Sometimes it’s hard to build. Really anything worthwhile is hard work. It takes a lot of thought, patience, looking at it again. Maybe taking it all apart and starting over – like I had to do so many times learning to sew. Even in writing. The words don’t come out right. They don’t say what you meant. The computer didn’t save it, you lost everything and had to start over…happened twice yesterday.  You have to begin an exercise program to stay fit after desk sitting for 10 years or start a particular therapy to recover from an injury…like after I fell off my bike.

Maybe it’s an internal build. You’re trying to develop a new mental habit or break an old one.

The important thing is that you continue to build. Some projects take lots longer than others. Sometimes you have to stop, rest and think about it.

Keep at it. You will have something rewarding after it’s completed, and you can be proud of it!

I will carry-on.

Unfinished Business

Jennifred Jones

This is  a sequel to the earlier post on procrastination.

I have spent toooo much of my life procrastinating and am constantly assessing WHY??

So this thought has been twirling in my mind.

Around the house have been several piles (unfinished projects) sitting for months and every time I see them it bothers me, so I put off dealing with them again and go on to something else….but they’re still there!!! Still in the back of my mind, still there causing a slight stress, because I know I should be doing something with them.

Last weekend, a repairman was coming and I didn’t want those things laying around, casting a bad image on my housekeeping abilities, haha, so it forced me into action! I made some quick decisions and got busy.

Afterwards things looked so much better, I felt so much better, those things were crossed off my subconscious stressor list, and I was ready to dive into the next project.

I began to examine how a seemingly insignificant bit of unfinished business was causing me to procrastinate in other areas of my life… sort of a kink going on that affected other areas.

So I ask you what I asked me. Is there something you need to finish or take care of first so you can proceed with your life.

Your Confidence

Jennifred Jones

Across the street from where I work, a young single dad is building a beautiful stone wall for a family living in the big brick house.

Last month he came in all excited to be selected for the job, and just happened to share with me… since I was standing at the counter. Over the last few weeks he began to dig the footing, order the stone and get started, but he seemed to take a lot of breaks and had a hard time really moving into the project….like he wasn’t sure of himself. He’d told me he’d worked for another landscape company doing the exact projects, he had his schooling and degrees, but this was his first time working solo. (and he wasn’t sure about himself. He seemed to have a lot of self doubt about his abilities)

Yet people would frequently stop by and compliment him on his work.

Today, things were really taking shape, he was laying the steps in the wall leading to the walk and porch, and the lady of the house came to tell him how nice it looked.

He came over to my side of the street to get a look at things from the distance and said it brought tears to his eyes that he actually had done that good work. He had always wanted to go on his own, but couldn’t while working for the other employer, and his mother discouraged him from going on his own. Yet in the meantime, several neighbors had come by asking him to come look at their place and help with stonework they needed done.

He already had the skill, the experience, the motivation, but lacked confidence to put it forth and begin.

I felt I needed to root him on, help propel him forward every chance I got.

It is a big ‘first project’ he tackled. It will entail a back patio too, but his ability and capability are showing and his confidence is growing.

I hope he gets lots of other good paying jobs. He is particular, does it right and has a young son to provide for.

Who do you know that needs your vote of confidence cast their way?

Cast it! The rewards will be great!!!