I’m a general contractor, and I think a lot of my customers assume I know everything about construction work - that whenever I’m doing something, it’s something I’ve done dozens of times before. But quite often, that’s not the case. Sometimes, all I know about the task at hand comes from a YouTube video I watched the night before, or I’m just following the manufacturer’s instructions step by step.
People don’t realize how often I’m just winging it and hoping it turns out fine. The fact that someone hires me usually means they know even less about the job than I do, which creates the illusion of much greater expertise. But in reality, the main difference between me and them often just boils down to the fact that I’m not afraid to try.
Well, not quite. I don’t (obviously) charge my customers for learning on the job. If it’s something that takes longer for me to do due to lack of experience then I charge less.
I’m a general contractor, and I think a lot of my customers assume I know everything about construction work - that whenever I’m doing something, it’s something I’ve done dozens of times before. But quite often, that’s not the case. Sometimes, all I know about the task at hand comes from a YouTube video I watched the night before, or I’m just following the manufacturer’s instructions step by step.
People don’t realize how often I’m just winging it and hoping it turns out fine. The fact that someone hires me usually means they know even less about the job than I do, which creates the illusion of much greater expertise. But in reality, the main difference between me and them often just boils down to the fact that I’m not afraid to try.
And that you have the experience of trying
In many cases, yes - but my work also involves a lot of things that I’m doing for the very first time.
And that you have the time to figure out how to do it right. (Because they pay you for that time).
Well, not quite. I don’t (obviously) charge my customers for learning on the job. If it’s something that takes longer for me to do due to lack of experience then I charge less.