by -buck.

Created on: January 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Little Things Really Can Mean a Lot

It's nearly uncanny the way a small incident, situation, or saying can impact my views, changing the way I approach challenges, large and small,And I suppose life in general.
One such little tidbit, I picked up in the prime of my "know it all" years. I think I was eighteen. At this young age, I was able to finagle a job as a boilermaker, and to further boost my ego, I was working as a high rigger. It even sounded cool.

On this particular day, we were bringing up, by way of crane, steel "pads"; one foot square by three inches thick, with a two and one half inch hole in the middle. If I haven't painted a mental picture for you yet, they were "big ol' chunks o' metal", very heavy. I should also add that "up" means way up. Along with our crew, I was a little over three hundred feet above the boiler room floor. It was a mental struggle to keep my legs from wobbling the first time they set foot on the four and six inch wide beams we used for walkways, but by now I'd grown accustomed to being that far up.
I wanted to do well at this job, so I was paying close attention to the task at hand. I could see that my pad was on its way up, and upon its arrival, would need to be positioned at the far end of the bay. The others were aligning the one prior and welding it in place. I successfully unhooked my piece and with no small effort, I heaved it up and started carrying it toward its final destination.
I was about to hear a few words I'll likely remember always. About a quarter ways down the bay, I was met by one of the more experienced fellows, Ron. He said "Put that down, boy." I did as told. "Now, stand it on edge" I once again obeyed. Then he put his fingers through the hole, and with what I can only describe as graceful ease, began to s-l-i-d-e it along on our "sidewalk". He sure made it look easy, and I could see by using his method, it was. After his second pull, he stood up and looked squarely at me. I recognized my turn when I saw it. He leaned in and said (to my relief, rather quietly) to me, "Ya just gotta' be smarter 'n 'at piece of steel, son." Well, slap me and call me stupid! Man, I felt dumb! I probably looked it, too.
I think I grew no, matured is a better word, some that day.
Few words were spoken, volumes were relayed. I've since realized I don't have to be smarter by much either, usually just a couple percentage points will do.
I heard my mind say "Easy does it". I realized how important it is to slow down, imagine different possibilities, and apply logic to my world. Archimedes said that given a lever and a place to stand, he could move the world. I believe it's true.
I also gained some "people skills": That correcting, especially subordinates, and by doing so with respect and not ridicule, allows room for dignity to remain.
And though I was reluctant to admit it (to my ego) at first, I realized I should look to those around me for answers; not be too proud to ask for help.
Over time I also found rise, I believe, to other great sayings like "Work smarter not harder." and "Use your brain not your back."
I not only learned how to move that piece of metal, I came to realize that I can out-smart life. So now when I find myself struggling or agonizing over a problem, I try to slow down, analyze, and maybe, even ask for some advice. Then I remember "Ya' just gotta' be smarter n at piece o' steel, son." And now I add, "-and only by two percent."

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