At twenty years old, before beginning my career in the trades, I made a promise to myself. It was a promise I have managed to keep for over forty years, and after all this time, one I am apparently incapable of breaking. I have encouraged others to make a similar promise to themselves, and from time to time, received undeserved credit for their successes as well.
At twenty, I knew just how little I was able to offer potential employers. I had not been a great student, my math skills were sub-par, and I possessed only a limited command of the English language. It was a mystery how I was ever handed a diploma and set out into the world. I was green as freshly mowed grass, shy, easily intimidated, and uncertain.
But… I was motivated by love to change.
So, one evening in Eugene Oregon, I was unemployed, sitting alone in the rented house I shared with two roommates, strumming my guitar, drowning in inadequacy, I began to reflect. In the two years since being handed that diploma, I had worked in fast food, manufacturing, a salmon cannery, and an auto parts store. Other than in fast food where I was being groomed for management when I quit, I wasn’t particularly good at any of those jobs. A mental inventory of my skillset was not a time-consuming process. By any honest measure, I was on the path for a lifetime of struggle without taking serious steps to improve my situation.
So, on that rainy night, in that awful dump we could not afford to heat, I said to myself: “I may be a dummy now, but I am not going to grow old and still be one. From now on, I will learn one thing every day!” Within the week I was enrolled in community college with a direction of study. When classes began, I did something I had barely done throughout twelve years of public school, STUDY! I earned an ‘A’ in every class, and when I left college, I set out with a chip on my shoulder.
Most importantly, I remained committed to learning one thing every day. I soon learned that more complex subjects would take longer than twenty-four-hours to master, which I was fine with. I would stay on it until I was proficient enough to move on. I would read daily, think, ask questions and do whatever it took to master every obstacle in my path. I attended every class, training seminar and trade association conference I could, often driving for hours to be in attendance. Along the way, some smart folks challenged and motivated me to stay on the path of success for which I am truly grateful.
In reflection, I did not reach the level of success I did because I was smarter or more skilled than anyone. It was because:
- I was always where I was supposed to be at the time I was supposed to be there.
- I was unafraid to take on knew tasks.
- I always looked out for the customer, while being fair to my employer.
- I was honest and courteous to everyone I encountered. Which included being honest about my mistakes.
- Maintained my sense of humor.
- Did the best work I possibly could.
- Continued to learn one thing each day.
It all began with a promise.
Twisted Words OF D.E. Haines 