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Home Improvement Projects---MAKING UP YOUR MIND TO BEGIN YOUR PROJECT American Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Getting up the nerve to begin your home improvement project can be exasperating to say the least. One moment you're gung-ho and ready to tackle the job...and the next minute you're almost suffering from anxiety attacks. But you shouldn't allow these roller coaster feelings to continue to prevent you from doing what you really want to do. And besides, after a quarter of a century as a home improvement contractor, I sometimes still get these same feelings. It remind me of the butterflies I would get just before kick-off when I was playing football back in the day. So, if you are having uneasy feelings and doubting yourself, just put your foot down and make a commitment to start the job immediately and do it. Don't get caught up worrying about making mistakes because mistakes are really nothing more than growing pains. That's right. We all are human and we all make mistakes but you can profit from your mistakes and turn those bloopers into building blocks. Truth is most contractors,if not all, either started out working for another contractor, or maybe like myself they stepped in and took a head first plunge. And when you talk about stepping in head first you know you're talking about growing pains. I started out as an exterior painting contractor and I had very little experience. I didn't even know the difference between oli-base paint and water base paint (latex). But I didn't let that stop me from earning my first pay check as a contractor. Sure, I made a multitude of mistakes and I still cringe when I think about them even today...twenty-five years later. But it was through these growing pains that I learned my craft, and over the years I have been able to expand my list of crafts to include plaster repairs and restoration, drywall installation; drywall finishing; drywall repairs; interior painting; light finish carpentry; retro fitting (rough carpentry); ceramic tile; porcelain and engineered flooring installation as well as popcorn removal; ceiling repairs; deck and fence restoration: historic home restoration and repairs and good old pressure washing. Growth is good. Today, my company (family owned and operated) is a full service home improvement contracting firm that offers many services. I said that to say this; although you might be experiencing doubts about whether you can do it or not, don't allow these thoughts and feelings to paralyzed you; instead, make a commitment to see the job through. First, get all the information you can about the particular task(s) you are contemplating then study it thoroughly. There might even be some videos that are available on line (internet) for you to view; if so, by all means view the videos as many times as it takes for you to get a clear understanding of what you will be doing and how to best go about doing it. If possible, practice before you start the project in earnest. I'm here to tell you that practice can help you become a better craftsman. I view each and every one of my jobs as a practice, in hopes of bettering my performance each and every project. My objective is to continue to strive to be a better craftsman...and that's after twenty-five years of doing some of the same tasks over and over again. I never want to become complacent and feel satisfied with my work performance. And by the same token I never want to reach a stage where I feel I know enough; instead, I want to learn as much as I can and stay abreast of all the new and innovative changes that are taking place in this industry every day. To be sure, the work that I do is not rocket science and you really don't have to have a high intellectual capacity to succeed in this business, but one thing you do need to have and that is the willingness to be the best craftsman that you can possibly be, all the while staying abreast with the industry's latest changes; if not, you will not be able to provide your clients/customers with the best service possible...and that's not fair to them or to yourself. Starting out by doing your own home improvement projects could just very well be a door opener for bigger and better things for you in the future, but if not just being able to say that you did your own home improvement project yourself will certainly boost your self esteem as well as save you money; if you have the time and energy why not? We all had to start at some point-- why not let this be yours. Remember, even if the outcome is less than perfect you still are to be commended for overcoming your fears and going forward with your project and you are the better for it too. Let this be a spring board for future references; no matter the outcome you really have succeeded and deserves to be congratulated for it. One note of caution in closing, always use common sense and do not jeopardize your safety and the safety of others by attempting to do a dangerous job that should only be done by qualified and experience professionals. And always call a reputable contractor if in doubt about anything at all. Be sure to check with your local officials concerning codes, regulations and licensing permits. Thank you and good luck. If you are currently residing in the Shreveport/Bossier City/Minden metroplex feel free to call us at American Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Thanks, Don.
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