Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

I just read a very interesting article on regret. Sort of a coulda, shoulda, woulda…why don’tcha? theme.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/study-reveals-5-biggest-regrets-people-have-before-die-iwuoha

It reminds me of the test where they tell you to read all of the instructions before starting to work on the test … and on the very last page it instructs you to lay the test down. The test is about following instructions and comprehension, not initiative without discipline.

•Begin with the end in mind.

I started working early in life and not by choice. However, I learned from that lengthy experience that hard work pays; it fulfills, it brings purpose and it reinforces good choices. But to what end?

*Plow horse to show pony*

Since my father was a general contractor, I was given every odd job imaginable. Whoever thought coveralls came in toddler sizes? Since none of it killed me, I worked my way up…

From cutting weeds with hand tools to using a 3-wheeled push lawnmower and on to driving a Bush Hog behind a Ferguson tractor.

From cutting trees with a hand saw to operating a (lame) electric chainsaw to a 36″ bar Stihl 075 gas powered saw that barked and chewed through wood like a hot knife through (warm) butter.

From breaking up concrete driveways swinging a maul like John Henry to running a Chrysler industrial powered hydra-hammer to operating a 36″ jaw, primary crusher.

From driving a gas-powered, rear wheel steer loader to operating an original series diesel, articulated log-skidder Steiger to navigating streets with a massive Massey-Ferguson front end loader with a 6 cubic yard snow bucket (most cars today would fit inside it).

From a 1/2 ton GMC pickup with a three in the tree to a 160 series International stakebed to a turbo charged Kenworth 22 wheeler pulling a 20 yard aluminum gravel trailer.

Let’s just say I was conditioned early on to dive in and take on more and more and more.

When I got out of engineering school, it wasn’t much of a guess that I’d look for a bigger role with more “horsepower”.

I’ve been blessed to achieve multiple levels of responsibility and developed an appetite for learning and asking “what’s next?”.

As I matured, recognizing I could add value with hard work, good choices and a tolerant family, I’d ask “for what price?”.

Now my confidence is high, my appetite is still healthy but my new question is “at what cost?”.

No matter what path you take to leadership.
No matter what experiences whet your appetite and hone your skills.
No matter the size of the fire that burns inside you and drives you to do more…

I would suggest,
-Take a look around you.
-Understand what you want and compare it to what you think you need. -Comprehend what you might be sacrificing to chase your dreams.

Under most circumstances, if you’re not a total asshole, there will be regret, there will be sacrifice, and there will be anguish on your ascension to leadership. Choose wisely.

Have a blessed weekend!