No need to get muddy if you outsource

I pushed it.  Took it right to the edge and of course had to deal with the consequences.  Ten days of rain on top of the significant snow melt left a few large massive puddles in the low lying areas of my acreage.

With less than half of the lawn mowed, my 16 HP Simplicity lawn tractor was stuck, right up to its’ axles.  Under the water: slippery grass/mud combination.  No amount of rocking or material wedged under the tires would give me the traction I needed to manoeuvre out of the muck and onto solid ground.  The transmission disengages easily however I lacked the physical strength to push it out by hand.  Nothing big enough in the vicinity to use a winch (although I didn’t have one to use).  I was stuck, covered in mud and on the verge of frustration.

Time for a break.  Time to sit down and figure this out.  Get my brain in gear.  There had to be a solution.  This was simply a challenge waiting to be figured out.

I hauled out an old lawn chair and sat, looking at the situation and the area, allowing my brain to kick in as the adrenaline rush subsided.  Idly I remembered something my local mechanic had told me many years ago.

I had my favourite garage rotate my tires and specifically asked them not to use the impact wrench as they tightened the lug nuts.  Weeks later, stepped out into the garage only to note I had a flat tire.  No problem, I can change that in a jiffy and wouldn’t you know it I couldn’t budge the nuts.  I was mad.  They had ignored my request and tightened them to the point no woman would ever be able to take them off by herself.  Long story short, the guys came down, changed my tire and I went to give them not only payment but a piece of my mind as well.

This old gentleman, my favourite mechanic, listened to my rant (and accepted my cheque) but stopped me when I reached the point I was complaining my dad hadn’t taught me how to change oil in a vehicle never mind how to carry an extra length of pipe which would increase the leverage so I could change my own tire, blah, blah blah.  

He said and I’ve never forgotten it:  “Joyce, you go and do what you do best and pay someone to change your oil and your tires.  That’s what we do best.  We can’t do what you are doing but we can look after your car.”  

Twenty-five or so years ago, his message is the same as we are hearing now.  Outsource.  Focus on what you need to do and pay someone to do the things you are not good at or you don’t really have time for.  

His advice was applicable not only at home but within our network marketing businesses.  Don’t have time to write or hate writing?  Pay someone to write a blog for you.  Don’t have enough time for the kids?  Pay someone to mow your lawn, or paint the house, or wash your car.  All these things can be hired out so you have time to a.) build your business or b.) spend time with family and friends.  Outsourcing will keep your life – work, home, family, relaxation, personal development in balance.  

Back to my tractor.  I chose to follow that gentleman’s advice.  After I had rejected the notion of just waiting for it to dry up so I could just drive it out !  I chose to get the tractor and myself out of that particular dilemma but doing the next best thing.  I used the biggest tool in my toolbox.  I called ………

A male friend !  A strong one!!  Targeting the outsourcing to fit my specific need.  How brilliant was that?  LOL

Onwards and upwards to success,
Joyce Penner

p.s.  Please rate this article on a scale of 1 – 10.  What would have made it a 10 in your opinion?