Doing it yourself

This morning I dropped my truck off at the mechanic.

It's been having some electrical issues, and I've lived with that strangeness for long enough. Sometimes the dome light works, sometimes it doesn't. Same with the stereo, same with the dashboard lights. Not a deal breaker, but not fun.

These guys will fix it up, and I'll have it back in a couple of days.

In theory, I could have done that myself. But it would take me a long time to figure that out, and frankly I just don't enjoy that kind of work.

This past summer, on the other hand, I spent most weekends in the backyard replacing the foundation on a 12’x20’ workshop. Jacked the whole thing up on blocks. Dug and set new footings by hand. Replaced all the beams and joists and floor decking with treated lumber. Then carefully lowered the shed back into place, and anchored the whole thing for proper wind resistance.

In theory, I could have hired a couple of guys to do that in a weekend for not very much money. But I knew already that I love this kind of work. And every time I go into that shed I get a reminder of that good feeling.

Sometimes it's okay to take on a big task yourself.

The real question is: Do you love doing it?

All the best,
A.