What do life and a construction site have in common? A lot, actually. They both have a beginning and an end. Both require a blueprint. Both depend on multiple people to make them great. And both come with expectations mixed with unexpected events and problems.
When we first enter the world, our parents are there to guide us and teach us the ways of life as they know it. They even have expectations for us before we are born.
As we grow up, we develop our own expectations based on our interests and character, which don’t always align with those of our parents. The same is true of a construction site. In the beginning, the building site might be a field or forest. Whatever it may be, there is a vision of what the end result will look like. Once construction begins, the core of the vision stays intact, but expectations might shift depending on what is discovered. Sometimes difficult decisions arise—like when an unexpected boulder is found beneath the earth.
Life is no different. As we enter adulthood, complex problems become ever more present, and we find ourselves at a crossroads. We don’t always know what to do, and time spent ruminating can make life feel like it’s standing still. These problems might include decisions about career changes, family, or living arrangements. Obstacles are everywhere and appear at every stage of life. We can choose to ignore them, or we can tackle them head-on and grow from the experience.
A construction site faces similar challenges, where tough decisions are made every day by its leaders. However, the key difference between life and a construction site is the speed at which decisions are made. It might seem like the people in charge make decisions easily—and perhaps they do—but that’s thanks to one thing: experience.
There’s no pre-written life manual. Your book of life writes itself through experiences and experience comes from trying new things, which requires vulnerability and a willingness to learn. A construction site won’t hesitate if there’s a hill in the middle of the plan. Instead, they’ll use it to their advantage and incorporate it into the design. Sure, it would be easier if everything were flat, but that’s rarely the case. They work with what’s there.
The same goes for life: you can either face your challenges and climb the hill or turn back. As Marcus Aurelius said, “The obstacle is the way.” It’s going to be difficult, but the end result will be worth the struggle. The experience you gain will make future challenges easier—and you’ll be better for it in the long run.
Be the superintendent of your own construction site. What’s the plan? Anticipate obstacles and be ready to take them on. No life is simple, but every life can be an adventure—so experience it!
Take care.