Would You Live in This House
He had been a skilled carpenter for many years. As retirement approached, he informed his employer that he was ready to step away from the work he had faithfully done for so long.
His employer was disappointed to lose such a talented craftsman and asked one final favor.
"Would you build just one more special house for me?"
Reluctantly, he agreed.
But his heart wasn't in it.
He hurried through the job. He cut corners. He used materials that weren't up to his usual standards. The attention to detail that had defined his career was missing. He just wanted to be finished.,
When the house was completed, the employer arrived, thanked him for his years of loyalty and excellent artistry, and handed him the keys.
"This house is my gift to you," he said. "Thank you for everything you've done."
The skilled carpenter was stunned.
If only he had known he was building his own home, he would have approached the project very differently.
He would have chosen better materials. He would have paid closer attention to every detail. He would have built it to the high standards that had earned him such respect throughout his career. Instead, he had to live in the house that he built.
There is a lesson here that extends far beyond carpentry.
Whatever you do, do it to your own quality standards. Whether you're building a house, raising a family, running a business, or helping clients buy and sell real estate, your name and reputation are attached to the work you leave behind.
One of the questions I often ask flippers and rehabbers is this: Would you live in this house yourself?
Even more importantly: Would you want your children, your parents, or someone you love to live here?
If the answer is yes, you've probably done it right. If the answer is no, perhaps it's time to reconsider the shortcuts.
The house may eventually belong to someone else, but the workmanship will always belong to the person who created it.
Build accordingly.
Comments(17)