I’m not a very big guy. Like 5’7 (in workboots). Ok I’m not a TALL guy:) Well today was a stretch to get some wallpaper off. We’re only talking about 5 feet of wallpaper guys, but man it was brutal. There I am on a 3 foot platform with my head stuck in between the crown molding at the top of the cupboards, spraying hot water on 2 layers of wallpaper trying to reach it with a scraper wedged into a brush extention thingy. Wow. The amazing thing is that the guy who hired me is quite tall, and I’m sure he was capable of getting it.
The fact that i was able to get the paper off had nothing to do with my painting experience. It was just good old fashioned grunt-and-bear it work. I really think he finally hired me to paint the whole kitchen and laundry room just because he couldn’t get this one strip off.
People will hire you just because you’re up to a challenge they don’t want to attempt.
This is true for any business. People are looking for problem-solvers. I can’t tell you how many times I have won a job after 2 or 3 painters have looked at it and not been willing to try. Ever heard this?
“That’s too high” “You’re going to have to clean this up first” “I’m going to need hot water available”
Your willingness to take on a difficult challenge may be what seperates you from the pack. In fact, you are in the minority. I have found that most people are trying to do as little as possible to keep their jobs or get paid, and then get out. If you are one of these people WAKE UP. Everyone is replaceable except the people who do so much that it costs too much to replace them.
Everyone is replaceable except the people who do so much it costs too much to replace them.
Be one of these people. Be the first to volunteer. The first to complete the task. Show up early. Stay late. Go above and beyond the call of duty. Eventually success will find you.
-Scott
