If you want inspiration of why you are in this industry and who you do it for, this issue is just for you. Between the profile in this issue to the Industry Insider column there are many highlights in both pieces that should drive your enthusiasm for the plumbing industry.
We all get into lulls at times where you just feel like you’ve hit a rock wall and you’re tired of what you’re doing and contemplate quitting. Sometimes all you need is a cold splash of water hitting your face to wake you up and realize what you have and how good it is.
What can you do if you do hit that rock wall, though? There are plenty of options from taking a break, changing up something with the company or finding something to drive you. Let’s take a look at each of these options.
TIME FOR A BREATHER
You’re frustrated, just don’t want to do any work, you’re stressed. Guess what? It might be time for a break — a vacation. We all get to that point and plumbing can be a grueling job often and you need to give yourself that time off to refresh your body and mind.
It doesn’t even need to be a true vacation. Find a way to get to an industry trade show or training session outside of the normal work day. That alone might be enough to break up the day-to-day work that you need to do with the company.
Many state associations — like PHCC — have annual conventions. Find out when and where your state’s convention is and hit it up. You’ll get time away from work, but you will be around others just like you. You’ll have some downtime for fun and you’ll also be learning how to improve your business at the same time.
CHANGING THINGS UP
High 5 Plumbing, featured in this issue, came up with a fun idea to change things up for its plumbing crews. Owner Levi Torres was tired of the normal plumbing uniforms — button-down shirt with logo. So, the company team created an attention-grabbing logo and developed new uniforms to get the team excited, and it worked!
It worked so well, in fact, that members of the community are buying clothing with the plumbing company’s logo on it. Look at that, something the team can be proud of and the company is making extra bucks at the same time. Not bad.
Torres has done other things too — like virtual training — to break up the work days and to help his team get through those tough jobs.
Take a glance at the profile and see how you can adapt what Torres and High 5 Plumbing are doing with your own company.
GET DRIVEN
Is there something near and dear to your heart that could push you past that brick wall? In the Industry Insider column in this issue Randy Lorge talks about the IWSH program he is heavily involved in where they find ways to get water services and septic systems to areas — even in the U.S. — that don’t have them.
Your eyes will be opened when you read about what Randy has experienced and be motivated to do something like this yourself. Maybe reach out to him and see if there is a way you or your team can help.
This is Randy’s last column with Plumber as he’s focusing more on IWSH and his duties with IAPMO. I would like to thank him for his time over these last several years sharing his expertise, wisdom and stories with us. I’ll miss seeing his stories come across every few months, but I have to applaud what he is doing and what he has done. Good luck in the future, Randy!
PUSH YOURSELF
What do you do to keep yourself going and making sure you aren’t getting stopped by that wall? Let me know by emailing me at editor@plumbermag.com.
Enjoy this issue!
