What I’ve Learned From 20 Years in Business as a Professional Sole-proprietor
On November 14 I think, 2021, I hit the mark of being in business for 20 years. 20 years! To say it's been a roller coaster is akin to purchasing a lifetime season pass. In those 20 years I have seen a lot, learned an abundance and experienced more things than any textbook could ever reveal. This is just a small list of what I've learned from 20 years in business as a professional sole-proprietor.
Everything I Thought I Did Wrong I Actually Did Right
There were so many instances where I was hard on myself in regards to the activities I have completed. I suppose that is a result of embedding characteristics of perfectionism. I cannot tell you how many times I have experienced moments where my plans were derailed and I thought I was doing it all wrong. There have been so many times where I created a misconception that I didn't do something right. I have no idea where that line of thinking comes from. But having looked back at all of the projects I have completed, I can honestly say that not one single project resulted in anything short of successful execution and completion. And still there have been many projects I finished and left still thinking, for whatever delusional reason, I didn't do the job right. What a witches brew of Lies I made for myself. Today, however, I cracked all the kettles and dumped and melted the pot that contributed to whatever it was that caused me to cook up such nonsense. Everything I ever thought I did wrong, I honestly and sincerely flipped those BS scripts and now choose to believe I did everything right. I am grateful for every single opportunity I have been given to do the work I have been gifted to produce.
Not a Single Project was Ever the Same
I tried my best to create systems for my business. The purpose was to be able to start and finish all my projects in an organized, repeat manner. For the most part, that was the case, but only from an outline view. What I mean is every project had a systematic process that I would have to follow to ensure efficiency and timeliness in completion. That was just a guide toward progress, but every aspect of every project was different. Not a single wall was ever the same. Not every wall was perfectly square or true or level or plumb. Accessibility sometimes became overlooked. There were times when I built something so big that I didn't think about the corners of hallways and doorways it wouldn't fit through. There were times when I built things so big I didn't realize my own strength was limited. I've created many outlines by which to follow in the process of completing my projects. Those outlines never stayed the same, they were always changing. Change gets old. When one thing doesn't work, a new thing takes its place. And yet, I still completed every one of my projects, well almost every one, in a timely and, for the most part, uneventful manner.
I Don't Recall Ever Getting a New Lead from That Ad
Nobody ever, ever, EVER said they wanted to hire me because of a blog post. I've spent countless hours and days equivalent to weeks and months writing and sharing blog posts, making and publishing videos and other social media content over the years. Not one time on one single clipped fingernail could I look back and account for having converted a lead into a project from a blog post. Why, then, did I spend so much time writing blogs and publishing creative content? I'll never know.
Like taking a lot of notes, writing blogs, as well-intentioned as I've always hope to be, the only reason that makes sense is self-reflection. I mean self-reflection on the entire project experience that only I could ever fully understand due to being present. I always thought about how notes and blogs and videos and content might serve me as a reminder someday in future.
I cannot recall many times where I went back and opened a folder to read my notes. I'm guessing, however, that all that content I produced only helped make me better on every other project I completed. That's what my entire custom cabinetry and home improvements experience has been about anyway, getting better and better with every project. I can only hope that each publication was an aid to enhancing the quality of my new relationships with new customers and clients, short-lived as many of them have been. There were plenty of repeat customers and people who called me for a repair service. But there was never a soul who said they called me on me because they read my blog post.