Hey Friends,
Every day, you’re building your own house.
There’s an old story I love:
An old carpenter told his boss that he planned to retire. The boss was sad to lose the carpenter, but understood.
He asked if he’d stick around for one last job—to build one final house.
The carpenter reluctantly agreed, figuring he could get it done quickly. He cut corners, used cheap materials, and rushed through the work.
When the house was done, his boss arrived for the final inspection. But instead of walking the house, he reached into his pocket, and handed the carpenter the keys.
“This is your house,” his boss smiled, “My retirement gift to you.”
The carpenter was stunned. If he’d known he was building his own house, he would have done it differently. Now he’d have to live in a house he had built none too well.
The lesson: You’re always building your own house.
Every single day, the way you choose to show up in the world determines the quality of that house.
If you choose to cut corners, use cheap materials, and rush the work, you’ll live with it.
If you choose to nail the details, invest in quality materials, and take pride in the work, you’ll live with it.
What Does This Mean in Real Life?
1. Work Ethic and Career
Example:
Imagine two employees at a company.
One consistently does the bare minimum, thinking no one notices.
The other takes pride in their work, even on small tasks.
When a promotion opportunity arises, the second employee’s reputation for quality and reliability stands out.
The first is overlooked—not because of one big mistake, but because of a pattern of small shortcuts.
Lesson:
Every project, email, and meeting is a “brick” in your professional house.
Build with care, and your career will have a strong foundation.
2. Relationships
Example:
Consider friendships or family ties.
If you only reach out when you need something, or if you’re half-present during conversations, those relationships weaken over time.
On the other hand, investing time, listening deeply, and showing up for others—even in small ways—builds trust and connection.
Lesson:
The quality of your relationships is the house you live in.
Invest in them daily.
3. Health and Well-Being
Example:
Skipping workouts, eating poorly, and neglecting sleep might not seem like a big deal in the moment.
But over months and years, these choices add up.
Conversely, small, consistent actions—like a daily walk, drinking water, or meditating—build a strong, healthy foundation.
Lesson:
Your body and mind are the house you inhabit.
Build them with intention.
4. Personal Integrity
Example:
Suppose you’re tempted to cut corners on a commitment—maybe you promise to help a friend move but cancel last minute, or you fudge a detail on your taxes.
Each time you compromise your integrity, you weaken the structure of your “house.” Over time, this can lead to regret and a lack of self-respect.
Lesson:
Integrity is the framework of your house.
Protect it with every decision.
How to Build Well—Every Day
Be Present: Treat every task, no matter how small, as important.
Invest in Quality: Don’t settle for “good enough” if you can do better.
Be Consistent: Small, positive actions repeated over time create lasting results.
Reflect Regularly: Ask yourself, “Am I building the kind of house I want to live in?”
The Owner’s Mentality
I think about this quote from Steve Jobs all the time:
“When you’re a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you’re not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it. You’ll know it’s there, so you’re going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back. For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through.”
This is about living life with an Owner’s Mentality:
If you knew you had to live with the results of this action forever, would you still do it this way?
What small daily actions are you overlooking that are actually laying the foundation of your future?
What cracks are you creating today that could become major problems tomorrow?
An owner always takes pride in the small, because they know that how you do one thing is how you do everything.
You are the architect and builder of your life.
Every day, you lay bricks—through your actions, words, and choices.
Build with pride, patience, and integrity.
Because in the end, you’ll live in the house you’ve built.