Life Lessons From A Construction Site
Each summer from 2014 to 2017, I was granted a blessing that I feel I likely don’t know the full extent of yet. That came in the surprising form of sweat soaked, smelly work, over long hours, and often combined with a lack of sleep on a construction crew. Two of those summers included the opportunity to commute to and from work with my Dad, (leaving home by 5 a.m. and often returning well over twelve hours later). Those rides were often composed of crucial naps, but also full of valuable conversation we couldn’t have had without being on that crew. I am thankful for all that I learned and experienced in this season, and in honor of Father’s Day, I present to you:
Life Lessons From A Construction Site
1. Better to have and not need, then need and not have.
You never want to find yourself without the necessities. Ear plugs, safety glasses, sunscreen, clothes for all weather, etc…
2. Stuff your pockets full of snacks.
One of the handiest applications of a safety vest, an abundance of pockets. These can, (and have), hold items including but not limited to: fruit snacks, granola bars, jerky, oranges, sunflower seeds, pb&j sandwiches, pretzels, even taquitos! On a construction site or in life, you always want to be ready for a refuel.
3. Trees are valuable.
Trees give us oxygen, so that’s a plus to human life. Besides that point, replacing trees can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Therefore always take good care of these fruit producing, treehouse supporting, oxygen factories.
4. You probably can’t use too much caution tape.
Even if you are to place a fluorescent orange barricade on either side of drying concrete, it just so happens that a college student in flip flops has the capability to walk diagonally right down the center, leaving the flops behind and extra work to be done.
5. Gators and Backhoes don’t have GPS
As empowering as it may feel to cruise the streets of Corvallis on a piece of massivem, slow moving, bouncing construction equipment, getting lost on said equipment makes you feel pretty silly. Sometimes it takes getting lost to get a grasp on your surroundings, but it is better to be prepared with beforehand knowledge.
6. Listen to ALL the instructions.
Don’t let what you think you know, prevent you from learning something new or doing something right.
7. Ask questions.
See number 6. Be excited to learn something new.
8. Don’t use your back.
When you find yourself lifting that shovel full of dirt for the 99th time, remember you are much more functional when you bend your knees and put those leg muscles and leverage to work. Your body with thank you later.
9. Be amazed, seek to learn.
Again, see number 6. But also, assume every person you talk to has something new to teach you. And do your best to hold on to the wonder of a child, even in the mundanity of everyday happenings.
10. Accept discomfort.
Take on tough situations as opportunities for growth, not something to avoid. Sometimes you have to dig a trench through bushes swarming with bees and accept the fear, (and hopefully the bees will treat you as kindly as they did me). Further, when it’s 90 degrees and you're digging in a ten foot deep hole with a sewer line running through it, consequently surrounded by human waste, all that’s left is to be humbled.
11. Get to know people.
Everyone has a good story to tell. Ask some questions.
12. Empty your hands.
Put down the extra stuff to complete the task effectively. This is something I have heard repeatedly. It can be easy to hold on to something and only partially commit to the task at hand. The better plan is to prepare yourself to commit fully to what needs to be accomplished. That may require letting go of something else for a time. Sometimes you have to take two trips. Put down the bucket, you can always come back to it later.
13. Hustle - Take the quickest most efficient route.
Boots aren’t great for running. Sometimes being efficient just means being intelligent. I learned after boot sprinting down the street for the tenth time one day, that jumping in the gator for a quick ride was a much better method.
14. Enjoy repetition, and distraction free time.
Spending an entire 40 hour week weed-eating is a life changing experience.
No overhead earplugs, therefore no music, just thoughts. Sometimes life forces you to disconnect for a time. I recommend giving that chance to yourself daily. It doesn’t require weed-eating all day, simply turning off your phone at 8p.m. will work wonders.
15. Check the truck before takeoff.
Many circumstances are worthy of a double, or triple check for preparedness. Otherwise you might lose a small toolbox into the great unknown, or have a collection of spray paint cans scattered along the road to recover.
16. You don’t have to run the machine just because it looks cool.
Don’t let your pride push you into a situation you know could be dangerous to yourself or others.
17. Laugh. Hard. Daily.
I believe I know how to do this well. I hope to never forget. Enjoy each day. Laughter is contagious, people may give you strange looks for a brief time, but eventually they’ll catch the joy.
18. Prioritize sleep.
You can’t function right without it. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made, and human beings are adaptable, but our health and longevity really hinge on getting enough sleep. You will be more loving towards others and better prepared for daily tasks, physically and mentally.
19. Leave early.
Something for me to remind myself continually. My dad always said you want to be able to stop and help someone given the opportunity.
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life” - Dallas Willard.
20. Take immediate responsibility for mistakes.
Excuses are easy; they are also lies. The faster it is acknowledged, the sooner the mess begins to be fixed. At some point everyone is bound to back into a sign, forget to tie down a ladder properly and watch it hanging sideways off the truck cruising down the road, stick the forks of the forklift into the asphalt, (or something of the sort).
21. Don’t take frustration personally.
High pressure, fast paced situations can quickly cause emotions to rise. People are allowed to make mistakes, show grace, we are all human beings.
22. Any task worth doing is worth doing right.
“Measure twice, cut once” fits in here. Do it right, even if it takes longer.
“How you do anything is how you do everything”.
23. Appreciate those who keep our comfortable world functioning.
Be thankful if you never have to work in a sewer manhole. Take some time to realize all the difficult things that are daily accomplished by other humans to your benefit.
24. Take advantage of time with your parents and loved ones.
We all know, whether we acknowledge it or not, that tomorrow is never guaranteed. I am so thankful for the extra time I had with my dad and know I will cherish those chances for a lifetime. There were plenty of frustrating times along the way, but those aren’t the memories we hold on to. People are what is important in this life, make sure those closest to you are unmistakably aware that you know that to be true.
