We are in a new home, that is, a home that is new to us. In actuality the home is dated, worn in areas, and not new at all. We bought this house with the intention of renovating it and transforming it to a house that is OURS, that we embrace and love and that fits us. A place where we can be ourselves.
It occurred to me that that is what many of us long for in our lives, to embrace and love ourselves, to be in a place (not necessarily physical) that fits us, and to always be able to be ourselves.
The process we are using to transform our home is to hire a contractor who will provide a variety of services and manage the change, so we are making a contract to renovate. I wonder if, when we want to change our lives, we could also make a contract with ourselves to renovate or transform our own lives. We in effect would be our own contractors.
The job of a contractor consists of many tasks. He must:
Be clear on the vision
He must crystallize what needs to be accomplished, what the final kitchen will look like, what space will be opened up and what will be filled in, what basic bones (cabinets) will there be, and what finishing touches (moldings, accessories).
What bare bones and finishing touches do you want in your life?
Make a plan
He must create drawings, capture details, and define a timeline.
How will you draw your plan, what details will it include, and what timeline do you foresee?
Estimate costs
He defines what materials will be used and what labor is required.
What trade offs will you identify in terms of costs and value, what do you already have, and what do you need?
Gather experts
Building a new kitchen requires that plumbers, electricians, sheetrockers, floor refinishers, and carpenters use their expertise. The contractor defines the work to be done and monitors the results.
What team will you assemble? Professional contacts? Consultants? Coaches?
Manage or do the work
Some work he will do himself (typically carpentry) and some work will be outsourced. He must communicate, oversee, and make sure the work is done with quality and on time.
What work do you need to do? Network? Get training? Self reflection?
Keep to the plan
Holding everyone accountable for their work (including himself) is essential to a quality, cost effective, and timely job.
How will you hold yourself and others accountable?
Resolve conflicts and fix mistakes
Inevitably things will go wrong and deviate from the plan, He must identify the problems, negotiate solutions, and readjust the plan while understanding and communicating the implications of a change.
You’re a good problem solver, how will you keep perspective during the bumps in the process to keep going?
Present the final product and celebrate
Just like on the home makeover shows, the unveiling of the project is an important acknowledgment of the hard work done!
How will your unveiling look? How will you acknowledge your efforts and celebrate the changes you’ve made?
Get paid!
Receiving the funds is the completion of the project and validation that value has been created.
How will you pay yourself and acknowledge the value that you are getting?
A home renovation can be an exciting, overwhelming at times, and satisfying major growth experience. Changing your life can be too!
How well are you being your own general contractor in your life?
Today’s author: Lisa DiSciullo, CPCC, is a Certified Life Coach in Summit, NJ with her own practice working with her clients as they are developing clarity, growth, and fulfillment in their lives. She is a founding member of the Wholistic Woman Retreats group and a Parent Educator with the Parent Encouragement Program. She can be reached at [email protected].