The Transformative Power of Confidence in Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship is an art that transcends mere skill. It's about creating works that are not only functional but also imbued with an indelible mark of creativity and passion. While skill and technique are undoubtedly critical, there's another element that can elevate craftsmanship to new heights: confidence. In this blog post, we'll explore the positive effects that confidence can have on craftsmanship and how it can transform the way we approach our creative endeavors.

1. Fearless Creativity: Confidence empowers craftsmen to think outside the box and take risks. When you believe in your abilities, you're more likely to push the boundaries of your craft. This can lead to innovative and unique creations that set you apart from the rest.

2. Precision and Attention to Detail: Craftsmanship demands meticulous attention to detail. Confidence ensures that you trust your instincts and abilities, allowing you to focus on the minute aspects of your work without second-guessing yourself. This unwavering belief in your skills can result in flawless execution.

3. Resilience in the Face of Challenges: The path of craftsmanship is not always smooth. There are inevitable setbacks and obstacles. However, a confident craftsman is better equipped to face these challenges head-on. They see setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow rather than insurmountable obstacles.

4. Effective Communication: Confidence is not limited to the execution of your craft; it also extends to how you present your work and communicate with others. A confident craftsman can articulate their ideas, discuss their process, and engage with clients or colleagues more effectively. This can lead to better collaboration and a stronger personal brand.

5. Customer Trust: When you exude confidence in your craft, it instills trust in your customers. People are naturally drawn to individuals who exude self-assuredness. This trust can lead to stronger client relationships and more opportunities for your craftsmanship to shine.

6. Overcoming Self-Doubt: All craftsmen, no matter how experienced, occasionally grapple with self-doubt. Confidence acts as a shield against these moments of uncertainty. It allows you to silence that nagging voice of doubt and continue your work with conviction.

7. Continuous Improvement: A confident craftsman is more likely to seek out opportunities for improvement. They're not complacent and are always looking for ways to refine their skills and take their craft to new levels. This drive for improvement can lead to mastery.

Confidence is the catalyst that can propel craftsmanship to new heights. It empowers craftsmen to embrace their creativity, pay unwavering attention to detail, overcome challenges, communicate effectively, earn trust, and ultimately become lifelong learners in their chosen field. Craftsmanship isn't just about what you create; it's about how you create it. Confidence, as an integral part of the process, transforms your work into a testament of your abilities and a reflection of your passion for your craft. So, let confidence be your guiding light as you continue on your journey of craftsmanship.

The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Mental Health in the Workplace

In the fast-paced and competitive world of modern work, it's all too easy to neglect our own mental health. We push ourselves to meet deadlines, impress our superiors, and climb the corporate ladder. Yet, the cost of neglecting our mental well-being in the workplace can be significant and long-lasting. In this blog post, we'll explore the negative effects of ignoring mental health in the professional environment and why it's crucial to prioritize it.

1. Decreased Productivity: Neglecting mental health can lead to decreased productivity. Stress, anxiety, and burnout can take a toll on your ability to focus, make decisions, and complete tasks efficiently. The more you push yourself, the more your productivity suffers.

2. Physical Health Consequences: Mental and physical health are interconnected. Chronic stress and mental health neglect can lead to physical health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakened immune system, ultimately resulting in more sick days and reduced quality of life.

3. Reduced Creativity and Innovation: Mental fatigue can stifle creativity and innovation. Neglecting mental health may lead to a lack of fresh ideas and novel solutions to challenges, hindering your professional growth and that of your organization.

4. Strained Relationships: Neglecting your mental health can affect your relationships at work. Increased stress and irritability may lead to conflicts with colleagues, eroding team dynamics and collaboration.

5. Decreased Job Satisfaction: A workplace that doesn't prioritize mental health can lead to decreased job satisfaction. When you feel unsupported and overwhelmed, you're less likely to find fulfillment in your work, leading to disengagement and a higher likelihood of job turnover.

6. Burnout: Neglecting your mental health can eventually result in burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Burnout can take a long time to recover from and may force you to take an extended break from work, impacting your career trajectory.

7. Impact on Decision-Making: Stress and poor mental health can cloud your judgment and hinder your ability to make informed decisions. This can lead to costly mistakes and poor choices in the workplace.

8. Undermined Career Advancement: A continued disregard for your mental health may undermine your chances of career advancement. Over time, the consequences of neglecting your well-being can hold you back from reaching your full potential.

9. Impact on Company Culture: Neglecting mental health doesn't just affect individuals; it can also harm company culture. A workplace that ignores mental well-being may have higher turnover rates, lower morale, and a negative reputation, making it challenging to attract and retain top talent.

10. Long-Term Mental Health Consequences: The most serious negative effect of neglecting mental health is the potential for long-term mental health issues. Ignoring stress, anxiety, or depression in the workplace can lead to severe mental health conditions that may require intensive treatment and support.

The workplace is where we spend a significant portion of our lives, and neglecting our mental health in this context can have profound negative consequences. Prioritizing mental well-being is not a sign of weakness but a vital step toward achieving success and happiness in your professional life. Employers and employees alike must recognize the importance of a healthy work environment that promotes mental health, fosters well-being, and encourages open communication about these issues. Remember, taking care of your mental health is not just a personal responsibility; it's an investment in your professional growth and overall quality of life.

Crafting Success: The Crucial Role of Soft Skills in the Blue Collar Trades

In the world of blue-collar trades, technical know-how and hands-on skills are essential, but there’s another vital aspect often overlooked: soft skills. These interpersonal and personal qualities are the unsung heroes that make a significant difference in the success of individuals working in trades such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, and more. In this blog post, we’ll explore the profound importance of soft skills in the blue collar trades.

1. Effective Communication: Communication skills are at the core of many trade jobs. The ability to listen, convey instructions, and understand the needs of clients, colleagues, and supervisors is invaluable. Clear and efficient communication ensures tasks are completed accurately and on time.

2. Problem-Solving Abilities: Blue-collar workers frequently encounter unexpected challenges on the job. Soft skills such as critical thinking and adaptability allow tradespeople to assess problems, devise solutions, and carry out necessary repairs or adjustments efficiently.

3. Customer Relations: Building positive relationships with clients is vital in blue collar trades. Soft skills like empathy, patience, and courtesy can turn a one-time customer into a loyal, repeat client. A great customer experience often depends on more than just technical proficiency.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration: Many blue-collar projects are team efforts. Working effectively with coworkers, subcontractors, or other trades requires collaboration and teamwork. Soft skills like cooperation, conflict resolution, and leadership can make or break a project.

5. Time Management: Blue collar trades are often governed by strict timelines. Soft skills related to time management help workers prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and keep projects on track.

6. Attention to Detail: Precision is crucial in blue-collar work, whether it’s welding, carpentry, or electrical installations. Soft skills that foster a keen eye for detail and craftsmanship lead to high-quality results that clients appreciate.

7. Safety Awareness: Safety is paramount in the blue collar trades. Soft skills such as responsibility, caution, and situational awareness help prevent accidents and ensure a safe work environment for all.

8. Adaptability to Technology: In an increasingly technology-driven world, blue-collar workers must adapt to new tools and equipment. Being open to learning and embracing technological advancements is a soft skill that can set tradespeople apart.

9. Client Education: Explaining complex technical matters to clients in a way they can understand is a vital skill. Soft skills such as teaching and educating clients about the work being done build trust and confidence.

10. Professionalism: Soft skills like punctuality, dress code adherence, and respect for the workplace contribute to a professional image. A professional appearance and demeanor can lead to more opportunities and referrals.

While technical skills are the backbone of blue-collar trades, soft skills are the glue that holds it all together. They enhance the quality of work, build strong relationships, and contribute to the overall success and satisfaction of both workers and clients. Recognizing the importance of these often underestimated skills can lead to personal growth and career advancement in the blue collar trades. So, remember, it’s not just about the tools you use but also how you use them that makes a true craftsman in the world of blue-collar work.

The Power Of Perseverance (Thoughts On Passing the Maryland Master Electricians Exam)

This past Friday, I took my Electrical Masters Exam for the State of Maryland and I passed! Such a simple statement to cap off a journey that was anything but simple. My journey into the electrical trade began nearly eight years ago when I decided that the path I was on wasn’t the direction I wanted to be heading in. I was 35-years-old and working from home for a small digital content company. I was making great money and my life had a ton of flexibility. Sounds terrible, right? Unfortunately, while the job had its perks, I just didn’t see myself in that role for the long haul. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I had a real thirst to develop skills that I could turn into something long-lasting. This was when my wife and I decided that I was going to finally pursue something I had considered doing for years… I was going to become an electrician!

But how does someone just start working as an electrician? Do I have to go to school to become an electrician? What will my work environment be like? There were a lot of questions that I needed to answer and there was only one way to do it. I began having conversations with everyone I knew in my hometown of Frederick, Md. I knew a lot of people in town who worked with their hands and I figured someone could point me in the right direction. After a short period of time, I was referred to a local electrician who owns a small company in town. So, I began the process of working 3 days a week as an apprentice electrician and the other 3 days as a project manager for the media company so I could still pay my bills. It was a lot of work but I really wanted to make the career switch. 

I immediately loved the work! It was creative, fun and challenging in a variety of ways. Every day consisted of a different project or new task that all required a different set of skills. I specifically enjoyed the physical aspect of the trade. I loved climbing through attics and crawl spaces and using my hands on a daily basis. I also really loved the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a task and the knowledge that sticks with you after the job is done. I loved being an electrician! 

While developing skills had become my new passion in life, I could also begin to see how learning skills could enable a person to be more autonomous. I could see the potential for business-ownership inherent in learning a skill. When you have a set of skills that the majority of people truly need, you’ll always be able to make a living for yourself. This understanding really changed my perspective on the trades. I was raised by tradespeople and I always saw them as folks who loved being craftspeople but hated their jobs and sometimes, their lives. It put a bad taste in my mouth for the trades for a long time. I think a lot of people have that image of trades people in this country. We can be seen as “rough around the edges” or “grumbly” by folks who aren’t in the blue collar world on the day to day. But now I was beginning to see, for the first time, that the people who raised me were some of the wisest people I knew because they all understood the freedom that comes with developing skills. When you possess in-demand skills, you can call your own shots in life. 

This realization gave me a focus for tradework that really helped me stay on-track and motivated as I continued to learn and grow along my journey. When I had 4 years under my belt, I applied to sit for the Maryland Journeyperson Electricians License. I purchased textbooks, created an account on www.tests.com and made my own flashcards. I also reached out to friend, fellow electrician (and now my business partner) Josh Wright to ask for his help. Josh helped me understand what the Joureyperson’s Exam was all about and how to navigate the National Electrical Code book. I passed that exam on my first try and was on top of the world!

Almost immediately after becoming a Journeyperson, I began to imagine what sort of business I would start once I passed my Masters Exam. But since I needed 14,000 logged-hours to qualify as a candidate to take the exam (at the time, I had somewhere around 9000-10000 field-hours logged), starting a business would have to wait for at least a couple more years… or would it? It just so happened that at that time, my aforementioned friend Josh was also considering going out on his own. The company he had been working for over the past few years was growing in a way that he wasn’t comfortable with and he was looking for his opportunity to jump. It didn’t take long for us to come up with a plan and we launched Lumen Brothers Electric Company on January 1st of 2020. Josh would be the company’s Master Electrician and his license would be our company’s license. 

Just 2 years after starting the company, I became eligible for the Maryland Master Electrician Exam. Because we own the business, passing the exam wouldn’t change anything in regards to our company’s structure or my income level or anything like that… I wanted to pass the test for other reasons. Largely because I did not attend trade school while learning this craft and I wanted to make sure that I understood everything required of an electrician. I wanted to become comfortable with the code book, which is our bible for understanding the rules regarding every possible electrical scenario we may encounter. I wanted to honor the trade by holding myself accountable to its rules and most-importantly, I wanted to prove to myself that I could pass the test. In short, I wanted to be a master electrician.

The first step in tackling a goal is to actually set the goal. So as soon as I was eligible, I began the application process to sit for my Masters Exam. The application process, alone, is grueling. First, you need to have every Master Electrician you’ve ever worked for provide documentation of your time spent working under their supervision. Gathering that information was no small feat, but I got it done and applied to take the exam. Under the supervision of Josh, I signed up to take a Master’s Exam Calculations Prep Course taught by the one and only Marty Schumacher. Marty is a bit of a legend in the Maryland Electrical Education world. He’s a wonderful teacher and helps people pass these tests every day, so I knew I was in good hands. I attended his course and learned so many things about the Code book that I was completely unaware of! I honestly would not have been able to pass the exam if it were not for Marty’s course. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude!

Before too long, the day of the test was upon me and I was a nervous wreck! I spent the previous weekend realizing that I wasn’t as ready for the exam as I was hoping to be and ended up feeling unprepared heading into the exam. But I pushed through and 4 grueling hours later, I had failed. Failed! I was stunned. I had never worked so hard to fail at something in my life! While part of me wanted to crawl in a hole and pretend that I never even signed up for the test in the first place, a bigger part of me knew what I needed to do. I took to social media to let everyone in our online electrical community, along with my friends and family know what had happened. I wanted to hold myself accountable to everyone who was in my corner and cheering me on. I wanted to show the people watching that sometimes you don’t win. Sometimes you put your effort into something and you lose. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you fall short. I wanted to share that message with everyone. I wanted them to see me as an example of someone who wasn’t perfect and I also wanted them to be paying attention when I retake the exam in just 30 days. 

In the State of Maryland, it’s necessary to wait 30 days once you fail the exam before you can take it again. So as soon as I was eligible, I spent another $65 and resubmitted my exam application. Only this time, I knew what to expect. I had already taken the exam and I knew what to expect, what my weaknesses were and how to prepare. I dove, head-first back into my studies. For the next month, I was feverish in my studying. I studied a couple hours every other day until I was sick and tired of looking at my code book. I memorized my flashcards, knew all of the important Code Tables by number and could find almost any Code article. I was ready and in no time flat, it was once-again time to take the exam. 

This time, I felt more comfortable, more relaxed and much more prepared. I arrived at the testing facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, roughly 35 minutes from my home, with a little time to spare. I walked in, signed up and began taking my exam for the second time. This time, I moved more fluidly. I felt like this was something I could do and as the test went on, I began to feel as though I was going to pass this exam. By the time I was about ⅔ of the way done with the exam, I felt pretty confident in the fact that I just might pass but I still wanted to prepare myself in the event that I came up short. If I failed, I would have yet another month to study in order to prepare myself. This would mean another month of busy evenings and another month my family would have to sacrifice along with me. My fingers were crossed as I hit the “End Test” button. 

After a brief survey, my results were shown on the screen and I was relieved to see that I had passed! All of my hard work had paid off and the anxiety that I had been carrying around was pulsating through me to the point where I was visibly trembling. I took a few deep breaths and a smile made its way across my face. “I did it,” I said to myself, still in a state of bewilderment. After 8 years in the field, 3 different companies (one being my own) and a lot of sacrifice, I was officially a Master Electrician. I was elated and couldn’t wait to call everyone I knew to tell them the news. First on the list was my partner Josh and then my wife. After those 2 calls, it was time to once-again take to social media to spread the news that “it’s ok to fail, as long as you don’t quit!” Because honesty, quitting something is the only way to truly fail. If you just keep going, if you never ever stop in the pursuit of your goals, you can’t fail. You will get there and it will be magical!

There’s a statistic regarding Master Electricians that I have a hard time believing. It’s been stated that only 5% of electricians are Master Electricians. That number seems low to me but I’m not surprised that it’s a small number. It’s a really hard test and not everyone is good at taking tests. I think there’s a lot of myth surrounding the exam, as well, that may deter people from taking it. In a lot of cases, people end up working as electricians for 20, 30 or more years and never take the exam. In my case, I wanted to take it. I wanted to jump through the ring of fire that Master Electricians before me have thrown themselves through. I wanted to prove to myself that I could pass that test and finally become a Master Electrician. Thanks to everyone who helped. Thanks to everyone who supported and encouraged me along the way. Your support truly helped me overcome my failure and turn it into one of the greatest achievements of my life.