I’ve been working on finishing my basement – with a lot of help – room by room, for several months now. Up to just recently I hadn’t worked on sanding the mud on the drywall.
Several people kept telling me that sanding was the most difficult part of drywalling. Sanding has to be perfect otherwise the seams will show through the paint, and you will clearly see that you didn’t do a good job.
Over the course of two days, I spent several hours sanding. It is tedious and dirty work. As I sanded I realized that the work really wasn’t hard, and I actually enjoyed it.
I discovered the reason why many people are adverse to the sanding portion of drywalling. It’s not because it’s difficult, but because it’s repetitive, tedious, and quite frankly it’s boring work.
I was able to get through all the sanding by being patient and being determined. I had to get it done.
There was no use or benefit to complaining, argue with myself, or procrastinate. At some point I had to finish the job, and I was bent on getting it accomplished.
Same is true about everything worthwhile in every aspect of our lives, if we want to put forth quality work.
I learned or was reminded of several things about being patient and determined. It will keep you:
1. Focused, in the here and now. We have a lot of competing priorities, but you can only accomplish one task at a time. There is no such thing as multit-tasking. To start something else you have to stop what you are currently doing. So stay focused on the task at hand.
2. Methodical – Don’t jump all over the place. Have a method in place to keep you structured and on task on what needs to be completed. You cannot be haphazard and expect things to go well. You can’t start on step 1 and then skip down to step 4 and expect to do quality work.
3. Proficient – the more you do something the better you get at it. Repetition is the mother of learning. You can only get better at something by doing it often. You want to be a great mom, or dad, do those things which will make you a better parent, i.e spend time with your kids, talk to your kids. You want to be a great leader, do the things often that will create followers.
4. Results – in the end you will get the results you want, i.e. a better marriage, and yes even a finished basement.
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to see what the Bible says about determination.
What do you need to be patiently-determined for?
What a great illustration of the power of focused determination – even in the small things. I actually enjoy tasks like that, too. I just put on my headphones and listen to some podcasts while plugging away at it.
I like your point on being methodical. I think for much of what we do, that’s so important. Knowing what to do next and then after that and then after that helps us to work efficiently and wisely.
Loren, listening to some good music really helps. Thanks for sharing.
I really dislike manual labor, however if it saves a lot of money, I’m all about that:)
I think when persevering through something, thinking about the end results can is beneficial. It can keep a person motivated on the task at hand.
Great thoughts.
Dan, I know what you mean. I would rather not be finishing the basement myself, but it will save my lots of money. But seeing the end result is worth it after all the hardwork. Thanks for sharing.
I’m sure you will enjoy it being done and be proud whenever your down their.
Blessing bro.