7 Life Lessons I Learned from Skilled Tradesmen.

And how these lessons helped improve my life.

By trade, I am a Steamfitter/Pipefitter.

What is a steamfitter/pipe-fitter? In nutshell, steamfitters/pipe-fitters layout, assemble, fabricate, install, troubleshoot, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals, compressed air, liquids, gases or fuel used in energy production, heating, cooling, food processing, refrigeration and air conditioning, manufacturing, lubricating and other process piping systems. Mouthful right?

Working Conditions are varied such as exposure to weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and loud noises and in various job sites, including new construction, hospitals, industrial, chemical, power and wastewater treatment plants, and most other commercial or institutional buildings, as well as residential sites.

Work is performed in buildings, trenches, on roofs or inside tunnels or confined spaces. Steamfitters work indoors and outdoors at physically demanding tasks that often require climbing and heavy lifting, strenuous physical stamina, and working in cramped or high areas using appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.

I give this work description to emphasize the hard work that goes into skilled trades. There are various fields of skilled trades, each with their unique tools and processes.

Tradespeople have a unique eye for solving problems; We do the necessary tasks that need to be done and construct what needs to get built.

Over the years in my trade, I have come across some interesting people. Some acquaintances, some forgettable, that pass through jobs like the wind, and some that were memorable. Some of these people I am glad to know and call my friends.

Over the years I have learned some interesting lessons from my fellow tradesmen, not just steamfitter/pipe-fitters, but from millwrights, electricians, welders, etc., a lot of these guys were in the trades much longer than me. In fact, they are career guys, and the wealth of life experience and skill they possess is incredible.

I have learned many things both good and bad, but the ones that are memorable serve as an example to improve my life.

I am still finding valuable information all the time and am still learning, but amongst the lessons I learned I found these seven especially memorable.

Lesson #1. Health is important. Take it seriously.

Your energy and metabolism tend to slow down as you age, making it essential that you take care of your health now. Yes right now!

Working in industrial construction, you come across dirty areas, and we take the time to clean them if we are tasked to do so. Ironically when it comes to our bodies, we don’t always look at it like a well-oiled machine.

If our vehicle breaks down or is making weird sounds, we get it checked out and take care of it. But for our health, we sometimes wait until it is too late to do something about it.

I heard from many tradespeople that have told me they wish they have taken better care of their health. Some lament over starting to smoke cigarettes in the first place, others about drinking heavily or doing drugs, No judgments here — to each his own, but hearing this over the years keeps me mindful not to partake in any of the above. I may have a drink here and there, but not to blackout stage.

Exercising also plays heavy on the overall health. As an industrial athlete (no, I didn’t make that one up, it is an actual thing) I am always moving about, lifting equipment, walking, etc. I am physically active, but as for cardio, I lack in that department.

Studies show that as people age, they tend to become less physically active. Thereby the mix of harming our bodies, not eating right and not exercising can lead to higher risk for health issues like Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity.

Therefore, getting your heart rate up through Cardiovascular activity (running, swimming, pretty much anything that causes you to sweat) is essential. Eating more greens, drinking plenty of clean water and exercising at least four times a week is necessary.

As plaque builds up in the arteries of a person with heart disease, the inside of the arteries begins to narrow, which lessens or blocks the flow of blood. Plaques can also rupture (break open) and when they do a blood clot can form on the plaque, blocking the flow of blood.

(source CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm)

Not to sound like a killjoy, but we all are potentially one doctor visit away from diagnoses that could severely limit our way of life. So take heed of taking your health very seriously. You and I are only human, we have different dreams and goals, but I guarantee you that all of us want to live to see them. So why not give yourself another day to enjoy the beautiful experience we call life.

Lesson #2. Never neglect your family.

One of my favorite quotes is:

“A happy family is an earlier heaven.”

How many times in the pursuit of our careers have we put our families second and our livelihood first?

Let’s be real you have to do what you gotta do. No one is going to help you if you don’t help yourself. However, there are those times when we are so caught up in our respective fields that we neglect the ones who love us the most.

I remember when I was an apprentice and one of my fellow journeymen said to me “Teronie, you know what’s more important than your job?” I replied, “No, What?” He replied back “Your family, especially your wife and kids. Take it from me, I’ve been divorced 3 times, and my kids hate me.” We both laughed, but I don’t think he was joking.

I took his words as a reminder to always be mindful of my family. My wife and I have a great relationship, and my kids love me, but I also put in the work with my family just like I do during work, even more so with my family. My time is spent, invested and enjoyed with my family.

When my kids call, I make sure to listen to them. I am mindful of my time with my kids by asking myself four different questions if I feel I am not doing my best. We also have plenty of quality time and experiences when we are together. As for my wife, I truly value her. I do believe that if you are married and you don’t appreciate your woman, then you will be divorced.

It goes both ways. Why be in a relationship, and there is no value there? My wife and I still love each other deeply and continue to go out with each other, and more importantly communicate often. Also, I also reach out to other family members often, mother, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc.

My fellow tradesman words/joke did not fall on deaf ears, Trust me.

Lesson #3. Keep increasing your skills.

The more skills you learn, the more indispensable you become.

It’s almost like you’re a superhero, the more skills you add, the more people you can save.

I once worked with a guy who was a jack of all trades. There was nothing he didn’t know how to fix. Every time there was an issue they would call him, and him specifically. I asked him one day “How did you learn all your skills” and he said “I took every training that was available, and jumped at the problem jobs no one wanted. The more problems I came across, the more I started reading about them and figuring how to solve them, then the better equipped I became at dealing with them, then I started putting together what I knew.” I was amazed.

I never forgot this lesson because it’s truth in action. I have met plenty of guys that were assholes, who had no issues finding work because they were incredibly talented in what they do.

That applies in any industry. If you keep increasing your skill, you can write can your own ticket anywhere.

In the words, famous American educator, author, and orator, Booker T Washington;

“The individual who can do something that the world wants done, will in the end, make his way regardless of his race.”

Lesson #4. Take it Easy on Yourself.

This lesson plays a bit off lesson number three. With all the skills you develop and learn, keep in mind that you can’t learn it all and won’t ever know it all. There is so much to learn that one lifetime is not enough.

That’s why collaboration is so beneficial. Working with others increases your knowledge capacity. More so than if you were learning solo. That is one benefit of schools. They, in fact, become schools of thought.

So learn to relax, take it day by day, and be easy on yourself. Throughout my apprenticeship of steamfitting, I was tough on myself until one of my Journeyman said to me “you will never know it all, I only know 20% of the trade and I have been doing it for 30 years.”

Lesson #5. Save and Invest your money wisely.

A good barometer is saving a minimum of 10–20% of your money, Consider this an additional 10- 20% a tax to the government, but instead, you are paying yourself.

I remember a fellow tradesman was retiring. We all came together in the workshop area to celebrate him and eat cake. He told us to gather around, and when he had all of our attention, he said “I am happy to make it to 71. I am glad to retire finally. It has been a long career, but guys, if you take anything from me today, make sure you do right by your money, or you will retire at 71 just like me”. We all roared with laughter. But his words rang true.

No matter the field, industry, career or business. Our best earning years are normally when we are younger, and if we don’t do right by that income, then we will have to always work for it, instead of it working for us.

It reminds me of a biblical story called “The Parable of Talents.” In the story,

A master puts his servants in charge of his goods while he is away on a trip. Upon his return, the master assesses the stewardship of his servants. He evaluates them according to how faithful each was in making wise investments of his goods to obtain a profit. It is clear that the master sought some profit from the servants’ oversight. A gain indicated faithfulness on the part of the servants. The master rewards his servants according to how each has handled his stewardship. He judges two servants as having been “faithful” and gives them a positive reward. To the single unfaithful servant, who “played it safe,” a negative compensation is given.

This parable applies to you, me and anyone. If we don’t utilize our “talents”(money) to the best ability, then our reward will be negative (no money). If you don’t save consistently, and invest, how can you gain growth?

Lesson #6. Stop Listening to miserable, lazy, and ineffective people.

In any work environment, negativity is infectious just like someone coming in with a bad flu.

Unless you want to be miserable, lazy and Ineffective, stop hanging out with people that harbor those qualities, because they rub off on you.

Misery loves company, and it is easy to partake in it. Especially, if that negativity is coming from your friends or family.

Learning to not indulge in that negativity is key to having peace of mind. Simply put, if those around you don’t have the results you aim for and are a source of angst, then you gotta keep it moving.

Lesson #7. Know when it’s time to go

“You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ‘em, Know when to walk away and know when to run.”

Kenny Rogers — from the song The Gambler

In a play from lesson number 6, if you became the miserable, lazy or ineffective person, then it looks like you gave into listening to other people’s misery too long, now you are tainted.

Before it gets to that point, sometimes you have to sever your ties. Life is way too damn short to continually spend it doing things you hate.

If you hate that job, then fuck it. Quit. Remember if you kept increasing your skills and you are healthy then you have nothing to worry over. Especially if you saved and invested correctly, then you will be quite alright.

If you hate where you live, change it.

Hate what you make, change it,(seek other opportunities).

Hate the way you feel, change your disposition.

It is primarily your decision to stay or go in a bad situation.

Bonus Lesson — Stay Safe.

Better safe than sorry

I do my best not to get complacent in my safety. It is easy to bullshit, but there are real dangers out there for anyone, and my goal is to make it home to be back with my family. After all all safety rules are written in blood.

In conclusion

I hope these lessons are as useful for you as they are for me. I am fortunate to be in the situation I am in. I am grateful to the hard-working tradesmen that do what they have to do to earn their living and make life great.

Thank you for reading and please share these lessons if you found them useful.

Take care

Also, check out my Kindle ebook 100 Success and Opportunity Quotes For The Skilled Tradesman