Firstly, congratulations to Joanne Danckwardt. Joanne is the lucky winner of The Loyal Lieutenant Masterclass Series to celebrate our 13 years of Weekly Thoughts.
Secondly, thank you for your beautiful messages last week. I appreciate and enjoy receiving your feedback.
Now to this week’s thought – my beautiful bookcases.
Well, they will be when they’re finished.
There’s a couple of messages to this week:
- How to lose a customer
- The power of teamwork
- A lesson in patience
- The beauty of craftsmanship
When I packed up my books before we went travelling, I had 500. I think that number has now grown to over 600, so you can imagine my excitement when Ross said he would make me some bookcases. Finally, I could unpack the 14+ boxes of books.
I was over the moon, until he took me to the plywood shop and showed me what they would be made of.
Besides that, we arrived at the shop at 12:15pm on a Saturday and they closed at 12:30pm. The salesperson was totally disinterested and kept looking at the clock, until finally I asked, “Did we come at the wrong time?”
“Yes”, he replied. “I’m about to start packing up in 5 minutes.”
I convinced Ross to look elsewhere and we went to Bunnings.
“Oooooh, look at this wood Ross”, I motioned for him to cover over.
It was beautiful wood and was on sale.
We figured out how much we needed, a total of 39 pieces and don’t forget the varnish or the backing plywood.
Clapping my hands together, I thought we would get them made over the rest of the weekend. I have to say my patience was tested. When I want something done, I want it done. How about you?
Two weeks later and they are still in construction, despite both of us working on them consistently. Ross cut the boards to size and sanded and I painted. It was great to work together and we got so much more done by teaming up and doing the work we each enjoyed and were good at.
It was also tempting to rush and rationalise a poor job, “it’s only a bookcase and it will be covered in books”.
Whilst we still have a way to go, I am sooooo happy to see them come together. The bookcases (3 of them) are being made with love and look amazing. I can’t wait to get my books out, (my babies) and display them on my beautiful bookcases.
How about you? Have you got a special piece of furniture or something you’ve made or had made for you? How about working as a team? What does that feel like for you?
P.S. Leading Yourself and Leading Others Experience starts Thursday 3rd August. Save $1,000. Early bird discount ends 30th June. Thursdays, 3rd, 17th, 24th and 31st August. Find out more here https://shirleydalton.com/leading-yourself-leading-others-may2020/.
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