DIYFYI
Posted: Monday, April 18, 2011
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
In a recent article, I wrote that I am not a good handyperson. But that doesn't mean that I am not good at some aspects. So, in my inimitably charming way I got to wondering what defines a good handyperson.
Abilities regarding the business of Doing It Yourself run the gamut from numerous to nearly non-existent. I have a friend who can just about manage to change the light bulbs when she needs to. Okay … it isn't quite that bad, but she admits she has no knack for home or car repair. However, put an infected tooth in front of her and she knows exactly what to do. She is a great dentist. On the other hand, I know someone who probably knows more about maintaining a home than I will ever need to know (but don't ask him anything about car repair) and he's just a regular guy who was smart enough in high school to start saving his money to buy rental properties. He doesn't work other than maintaining those properties (that's where he learned a lot of what he knows) and the occasional handyperson job.
But that is just all doing. First comes the believing. You can't do anything that you don't believe you can do. Believe me. I'm lazy from time to time and don't want to walk to the trash can to put something into it. So I will toss the item. If I have any doubt about my ability to toss the item into the trash can I will miss. When I believe that I will make it, I do … every time. So, the only thing stopping you doing something is you. And the only way to find out what you can do is to do it. Don't and you'll never know.
Maybe the best definition of a good handyperson is: A person who believes that she can do whatever she needs to do; a person who goes into each new endeavor with the spirit of learning something new and overcoming obstacles; a person who perseveres; a person who accomplishes things; a person who knows his limits but believes that he can succeed.
When you think about it, all of life is an exercise in DIY. A good handyperson encompasses more than just doing; it also includes being. I've decided that I am, after all is said and done, a good handyperson despite what I wrote previously. I've always taken the path that is labeled, "Let's give this a try" instead of "I can't go there." Not only do you have to believe that you can succeed, you must be willing to succeed. And so, FYI that's the key to DIY.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hello Dianne! You totally hit the point with the definition! I believe that the thing with believing in oneself gives us most importantly the confidence and confidence is the key to "try" which gives to fruit of either success or failure. When it comes to this topic, i also am not a good handyperson, its my first time using this word xd, anyways as you said in the article or as i realized, today we have google and everything and we can't blame ourselves of not being able to do it :).Hi Kim,
Please tell me, is that the correct way to address you? I know in many "Asian" cultures that the "first" name comes last.
I once had a piano teacher who would admonish me from time to time when I would say "I can't do that" with "Don't say can't, because can't never tried." I think that has probably stuck with me more than I realized. My dad also would tell me quite often that I could do anything I put my mind to. Two very powerful messages.
It's hard, I think, to believe you can do something that you have never done before, however. I go at it from the standpoint that I will give it the best darn try I'm capable of. I'll have a go at just about anything ... as long as it doesn't entail carrying more than about 50 pounds (half my weight) for too long. :)
And I am very grateful for all of the information that can be found on the Internet too! It's a sometimes crazy but also wonderful age that we live in.
Thanks so much for reading and for the comment.
Hugs,
Dianne
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