Hunting and Marathons

I know marathon training season is in full swing when not only are my legs sore and I eat everything in sight, but my thought process starts to change. I begin focusing mental energy on longer term thinking in both my personal life and my business. I start setting my sights on the 300 meter targets instead of the 25's and 50's. What a wonderful reward for marathon training. Outside of the physical benefits of aerobic/anaerobic/resistance training, the carryover effect into your psyche and hopefully into performance is pretty neat.

Another added bonus of completing a marathon in Ohio is that deer season immediately follows. (At least if you're a bow hunter. If you're not a bow hunter I would advise going to www.huntersfriend.com and purchasing a bow package. Archery season is 4 months long and gun season is 1 week and an additional weekend). Sitting in a tree stand all day deer hunting is harder than it sounds. Being quiet in a tree all day by yourself can be quite challenging. Running all of those training miles with no music, strictly listening to my thoughts, is great training for deer season.

Being out in the woods during deer season in Ohio is an amazing experience. Being able to very consciously go through the cycle of a day along with nature is something special that I hope everyone can experience at least once in life. Deer season provides a whole different life outlook for me. I get reflective and introspective in an extremely positive way. I think the beauty of the Hocking Hills brings me into a positive space where I become thankful for all of the twists and turns that brought me to where I am. A realization that the little things in life turn out to be the big things.

Continuing Education Part II

In June I completed the 4 day National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Intermediate Installation course in St. Louis. To say the course was beneficial would be a vast understatement. Having attended hundreds of classes/courses in my collegiate and Army careers, this course was extraordinary from all angles. The instructors subject matter expertise was astounding, which I assumed was going to be the case. What I was not expecting was how much I learned from the other guys attending the course. There were guys from throughout the US and Canada, each with unique ways of accomplishing the same task. It was great to collaborate and walk away with a whole new set of techniques for my kit bag.

While at the course I completed the hands-on portion of the Installer Certification test and completed the written portion of the test when I got back home. I’m proud to say that I passed both tests and achieved the Installation Certification. I’m now the only Certified Installer in the state of Ohio. The NWFA has a website to locate certified professionals in your area. (http://woodfloors.org/certified-professional-search.aspx) In order to maintain my certification I’m required to complete yearly continuing education. I think this is the best part of being a Certified Installer. First, it validates an installer’s willingness to “stick with it” (dedication) and second, it ensures installers are learning new things each year. As I've previously stated, learning new things is one of my favorite aspects of life. 

Continuing Education

My goal is to get better every day. Become a better husband, a better father, a better neighbor, and a better craftsman.

How do you get better? I recently read the book No Hero by former Navy Seal Mark Owen who writes, “The only easy day was yesterday.” For some reason that saying resonates with me. Perhaps it’s because I can relate having been through Ranger School, or maybe it’s just in my DNA. To me, constantly challenging yourself and growing is what life’s all about. If you aren’t going to be ‘all in’ all the time, what’s the point? Mediocrity is easy. Mediocrity is boring. Mediocrity doesn’t get you the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) Wood Floor of the Year. In the hardwood flooring world, that’s the pinnacle. That’s my goal.

The NWFA is a wonderful association that believes in the power of education. An educated installer/sand & finisher is a vital asset to the overall strength of the industry, to retailers, to themselves, and most importantly to the customer. The NWFA has a Certified Professionals program that validates an installer/sand & finisher’s industry knowledge and expertise by completing a certification process which culminates in both a written and hands-on test. I will be attending a 4 day intermediate level installation course this summer, which is the first step in the certification process.

Certification is only one piece of the education pie. On the job learning is crucial. No two jobs are exactly the same. Overcoming unforeseen obstacles on the job is invaluable education. Keeping up to date with industry news through Hardwood Floors Magazine and seeking out hardwood flooring books, shines a light on different perspectives. Learning and sharpening carpentry skills through furniture building increases flooring precision.

So many people reach a certain point in their career (life) where they shift into cruise. No more challenges, no more education, just set the heading to retirement (death) and ride it out. That’s not me. That’s not Patrick Flooring.