Painting a House, The Karate Kid and Running a Business
Monday, September 22, 2008 at 12:42PM Liza Bouchard As I reflect on painting my house, I am reminded of a quote by Mr. Miyagi in the movie The Karate Kid... "Wax on, wax off". The most mundane activities like polishing a car, or painting a house, are actually great opportunities to think about basic business principles; being truly effective, feeling satisfied with the work, and removing barriers. Here are some reflections:
1. Hire Someone and Delegate
Okay sure...sometimes this isn't an option, so grab a brush and get to work.
2. 80/20 Principle Applied to Scraping
If you scrape every clapboard bare you will get a perfect finish sure, but will anyone really see the difference? Probably not. And the amount of energy needed to scrape 100% just isn't worth it. So scrape the bad stuff and be okay with the rest. Imperfection in other cultures is called "character", like the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-sabi.
3. Only Do One Side
Do the entire front of the house first -- wash, scrape, prime, paint -- so you can see results quickly and it will inspire you to keep going. Then move to another side. The task will be more manageable and rewarding. What can you do in an afternoon and still see results?
4. Buy Paint in 1 Gallon Containers
Sure it seems financially smarter to buy paint in 5 gallon drums, you might save $10. But have you ever tried to stir, let alone lift 5 gallons of paint? Its a huge barrier. Instead, buy 1 gallon buckets and go back to the paint store as needed. Remove barriers so you can get to work.
5. Get the Right Ladder
You have to believe in the foundation that supports you. And you have to be able to move the ladder. Don't buy tools that are bigger than you. Trust and maneuverability are everything.
6. Leaning Too Far
You know the feeling when you are near the top of the ladder and stretch to something just beyond your reach? You feel uneasy. You know you probably should just go one step higher or readjust the ladder? Yeah, that feeling applies to business too.
7. Finishing is the Hardest Part
There is one small corner on my house that is still the old red paint color. I spend a significant amount of energy worrying about when I will finish it. But at this point I am so bored with the project I have moved on to the next exciting thing, like tearing down walls in the house. So this brings me to the last insight: Bribery. Yes, you can bribe yourself when all other strategies have been exhausted. Start planning the next project and let that energy help you finish the first project.
Apply these principles and you will be surprised by your accomplishments. In the meantime..."Wax on!"
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