I have struggled with time a lot over the years. I will be impatient, want instant gratification, try to force things, etc. Well over the last few years on and off, I have had bouts of patients, lately, I have been thinking about time a lot. We hear folks like Hormozi talk about widening our horizon to a decade, a century, a thousand years, etc. Listening to people like him and Andy Frisella, made me realize the importance of dedicating your life to one thing, over jumping around.
It is hard to compete with someone who is on year 30, when you are on year 2. So, I have been thinking a lot more about taking the slow road. Being patient, really learning our craft, growing slowly, building the processes, so when the time comes, we can expand fast but maintain our standards and values. So, I am now thinking of the construction business in terms of 20-30 year timeframe, instead of 3-5 year. Putting it in that perspective, makes me realize the importance of building a brand and standing behind your work.
If you plan to be in business in 30 years, you have to build a solid brand, with a ton of connections. You have to be liked in your community and show you are not out to make a quick buck. Over the next year, we will be building out the values our company wants to live by. This will make sure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal of improving the community, one house at a time.
What stemmed this blog for me today, was a comment one of our customers and friends said to Kyle today. We are currently finishing her basement. She has been really happy with the quality of work and the ease of working with us. She told Kyle in 6 years they will have their house paid off, at which point, they would like to update their main level. She said, if you guys are still in business in 7 years, we would love to have you back to do our main level. That really got me thinking.
If we provide quality work, with great communication, and we stay in business, we could have repeat customers for life. So, maybe it will not be for 7 years but that is work down the line, we will not have to market for. If we are able to do that with a few hundred customers over the years, in theory, we would not have to market, we would have repeat customers filling our schedule for us.
Moral of the topic, think long-term. Is what you are building today, something you can see yourself still doing in 30+ years? If so, make sure to build a brand you would be proud of and don’t think you need to rush it. Build your foundation first, so when you grow, you do not lose your standards and values.
Your life Tutor
-Shaun Tutor
Tutors of Life 