I recently embarked on a renovation project on my house. A project which has been 2 years in the making. Diligently designing the renovation, seeking the appropriate approvals, researching and allocating a builder. I quote “10 weeks and it will be done”. Ahh those words still haunt me!
I will be honest, this has been a project which has tested my patience, my personal standards, and my mind at times! It has also taught me a fair few things along the way, mainly that George Clarke makes this look a lot easier on TV than it actually is! The first tool hit the ground in April and we were off. All started well, there was quick progress and actual bricks were forming the outer shell of the extension by the end of the 1st week. Amazing! It will be all finished in a few weeks if this pace carries on!
My 1st Lesson
Well that was my first lesson. Assuming that how a project starts is a representation of how it will finish! Not so much, we skidded to a halt 6 weeks in as stupidly the Euros football tournament had not been factored into the project timings. This was to be my next lesson, apparently a national football tournament means you won't see anyone for at least a week!
My next lesson was about the importance of forecasting. Specifically the planning ahead of what materials were needed for the following days to complete the relevant tasks. We have had too much of one thing (there are 30 roof tiles going spare on my drive!) but also not enough of another, meaning the person who needs to complete the job now can't and needs to return, adding more delays to the project.
My biggest truth
By this point I am on my billionth lesson of house renovating and starting to question my original objective and if it was worth it! But through all the chaos, the ups and downs, the stressful conversations there was one consistent thought, the fact that I couldn't complete this alone. However frustrating the situation or conversations were, having a team of experts was necessary. Also I needed to remember I was an apprentice in a way, I hadn't done a renovation before so I needed to trust and believe in those around me. This was by far my biggest lesson.
I found once I changed my mindset and we started working together as one team, things changed. I tried to let the experts experience guide me, to trust in the process. When the stakes are high in life or business, it can be hard to sometimes let go, trust others and enjoy the ride. But one thing is for sure, as I sit in my new home office writing this blog, those stressful times have already melted away, a distant memory but I sure wouldn't be sat here, if I had taken it all on and thought I could do it alone. I definitely needed ‘that team’.
One thing is for sure though, you won't see me on a future episode of Grand Designs anytime soon!
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