Catching Up

Last night, I had dinner and a few beers with some long time contractor buddies of mine. We met years ago when we both were frequent competing bidders for a local architect's work. Neither of us has done anything for that architect in a long time, but our friendship endures. And so, every six months or so, one of us will call the other, asking: "Isn't it time for us to have some steak and a few drinks?" It's always a fun evening.

What I like about getting together with them and others whose profession I share, is that we understand each other's pain...the pain of the recent down market, the pain of working with cheapskates or fools, the pain of watching employees destroy tools that you've lovingly kept running for years. We also can truly appreciate each other's triumphs, though...getting that project you really needed, actually winning a point against an arrogant permit reviewer. Hell, lately, not having to lay someone off has been a triumph to trump all others!

The point is, we encourage each other. Nothing is ever so black and terrible when you're sitting across the table from someone who has walked the same path you're on.

That encouragement is also why I'm actively involved in NARI, and why I try to make at least a few of their dinner meetings every year, volunteer at their home show booth, write for the magazine, etc. That coming together of like minds and experiences helps all of us not only to feel better about what we do, but, by sharing experiences and accumulated wisdom, actually improve our companies, our attitudes, ourselves.

Contracting is never an easy business, but the last few years have been bruising. Curling up and hiding in a hole is an impulse that hovers, I'm sure, just in front of many of us, as we weather on. Having a few beers though, with someone who gets it, is an important step in the process of staying on your feet and continuing to walk forward every day.

So, call your buddies already. You know you need them!