This week was incredibly long and tested my mental and physical limits. Each day, I woke up earlier than usual, inspired by my dad’s advice to set a better example and get to work on time. Picking up my brother on the way, I arrived early at work, only to be greeted by 300 heavy pallets, each weighing around 70 pounds. It was physically straining work, flipping and lifting them multiple times.
But these long days were just a part of a grueling week. Earlier, we had to fix our backyard fence because the old, unstable one could be pushed over easily. Concerned for my dog’s safety, I decided to take action. I created a materials list from Home Depot and approached our landlord, who graciously deducted $500 from our rent for the expenses.
After a month of waiting for my dad to return from Mexico, we finally started the fence project. I had learned the value of teamwork while helping my dad fix his own fence. My brother and one of my dad’s workers came to help, and it was a lifesaver. We dug three-foot holes, mixed cement, and installed the new fence with some materials from Home Depot and sturdier ones from my dad’s supply.
Despite not initially planning to charge for labor, my landlord offered to pay for it, recognizing the hard work and dedication I put into maintaining the property. I was nervous about quoting a price but settled on $677, valuing my effort and the quality of the work done. In the end, she generously gave me $800.
Throughout this process, I learned invaluable lessons about leadership and teamwork. Being a leader means knowing when to listen and value the expertise of others. This experience reinforced that teamwork indeed makes the dream work, and the pride in seeing the finished fence was immense.
Now, with the weekend ahead, I can reflect on the importance of valuing my work and effort. This week was tough, but it taught me the significance of collaboration and the satisfaction of a job well done.