Taking On Risky Challenges Is The American Way

There’s something very American about wrapping yourself around a challenge that comes with some risk.  Christopher Columbus ignored naysayers and set off to find a better route to the east by traveling west.  That was a larger than normal undertaking with the flat earthers expecting him to fall off the edge before he got to Asia.  What about the American Revolutionaries who decided to go it alone and break away from the mighty British Empire?  There were certainly more than a few who thought that idea should be reconsidered.  And then there's the Moon.  Seriously.  Who did we really think we were setting our sights on that goal?  That thing is way out there; no water, no oxygen, and then re-entry comes with all that crazy heat shield vaporization action.  Whoa.  But we checked the math and then did it anyway.

The thing is, as Americans growing up in what President Reagan described as the shining city on the hill, we have this belief that we can do these things.  We're Americans.  We set a goal and have the freedom to try to find a way.  I get a sense of that when I take on a house that other people don't want or a property that others believe is beyond repair.  People around me try to talk me down.  "Don't do it," they've said.  "Find a place that's not so bad."  But those doubtful pleas are part of what get me going and in this country, there's nothing stopping me from trying.  It just feels right to set my sights on something not so easy and then persevering through the obstacles.  For someone else it may be restoring a junky vehicle, helping someone who's down and out, saving a troubled business, or some other goal that others think is a hopeless mission without a big enough safety net.  For me though, it's rehabbing run-down property.

Now, I hope it doesn't seem like I'm comparing myself to the early nautical explorers, our rebellious Founding Fathers, or those astronauts who made the moon landings.  I'm just saying that I learned those stories growing up like all the other kids in our country (and maybe around the world) and they meant something to me.  They still do.  They inspired me.  So, if you have a lofty goal lingering on the horizon, something that get's you excited (but may worry others), I want to encourage you to go for it.  You don't have to be an American to set a goal, break it down, and find a way.  Plus, it's fun.  It's exciting.  It's what life's about.  Take on a big challenge and make it happen.  And if/when you have a tough day and it seems like you're not getting anywhere, look up at the moon, take a deep breathe (w/out help from NASA), and then get back at finding a way.

You Can Do It

I wrote in my preceding post (Step 9) that renovators working solo or as a team need to get a handle on their own capabilities before banging away at the walls.  Although I believed that it had to be included as the next step on my list, I also felt conflicted about posting it because I want to encourage people to renovate and writing about limitations feels like it's going against that attitude of encouragement.  I love resurrecting the run-down properties I buy and really want others to experience home renovating as I have.  My bottom line message is: You can do it.   

 

There's nothing wrong with getting a hand from friends (or hired help), but don't sell yourself short either.  What you're able to do is likely somewhere in between doing every task on the project and getting out of the way, watching all the action from a safe distance, and then writing checks.  Step 9 - Know Your Limitations is intended as a reminder of that.  

Most of you probably learned to ride a bicycle as kids, but you certainly have a few stories about spills you took as you learned to ride.  The first time I rode a two wheeler, I was clueless about the breaks and stopped when I rode into the side of our barn.  As you arrive at the down and dirty truths about what you're capable of as a do-it-yourselfer, you may have some wipe-outs. (see Vinny Had the Right Attitude).  Furthermore, you might find yourself in a jamb and maybe you'll have to call a professional to get you out of your predicament.  It's okay if that happens and just remember that it's part of the business of renovating your own house.   

If you have a home renovation dream of your own, go for it.  Just remember to be careful and exercise basic caution, discretion, and common sense.

 

It's Possible

Blood, Sweat, and Pig's Ears is all about doing things other people say can’t be done. 

Growing up, my friends and I loved the Rocky movies. The Italian Stallion often pulled off impossible victories. Other than his devoted wife Adrian, and maybe his coach Mickey, others were convinced the street thug would be unable to hang with Apollo Creed. But he did it! He went the distance. Then in Rocky II he defeated the champ in the rematch. Maybe this iconic character ignoring skeptics influenced me more than I’ve been willing to recognize.

When someone says, “You can’t turn a pig’s ear into a silk purse,” they’re saying you can’t do the impossible. Fine, I get that. But impossible is in the eyes of the evaluator. There are plenty of folks out there ready to pour cold water on the plans and dreams of others, whether you’re excited about renovating an old house, starting a small business, running for public office, or doing just about anything others judge to be beyond them. What I’ve found is that when someone feels compelled to say, “You can’t do it,” what they’re really letting you know is that they believe they can’t or are mystified about how you’re going to achieve your objective. 

Impossible is a powerful word that should be used judiciously. Perhaps that’s why people find ways to work around it. Still, I'll share something now that utilizes that word. It would be impossible for me to name all the times people heard details of my house renovation plans and let me know, with attitudes of authority, that the path I laid out was impossible to travel.

Now to be fair and accurate, I’ve also had lots of support and encouragement from people who have been excited about my projects from the beginning to the end. For example, strangers walking by stop and say things like, “The house is looking great. Keep it up. We can’t wait to see how it turns out,” or “We’ve been waiting a long time for someone to come and fix this place up.” And one of my favorites was a man I’d never met and only saw once. This fella was bursting with enthusiasm as he walked by shouting, “You’re doing it man! You’re really doing it!” That sort of encouragement is fuel. I’d apparently converted this guy into a believer and I sure appreciated him letting me know how he felt. 

But there’s a third category of people that seem to consistently migrate to each of my pig’s ear projects; people who are curious to know how I do what I do and how they can do the same. I love to encourage other people to follow their dreams and although my writing will be exemplified with knowledge and experience from renovating my own houses, in many ways the lessons are applicable to anything other people think are beyond reasonable consideration and effort. In twenty years working in the construction industry and a decade renovating extremely run-down homes, I’ve come to believe that if someone tells you something is impossible, directly or roundabout, and you don’t even try, then they will be right. 

So, if you have a big, outrageous dream, home rehab or otherwise, treat any obstacles as if they’re Clubber Lang/Mr. T in Rocky III. Don't let those challenges bust you up. Embrace the profound wisdom of Sylvester Stallone through his beloved big screen icon Rocky Balboa and “Go for it.”