An Important Lesson

Not too long ago, my father and I went on an estimate. This estimate was a little unique as it turned out- a person needed help cleaning their basement, and their basement only. It's not something we typically do, so I was curious as to why we were doing it. I kept asking my dad why we had chosen to do this estimate, and he kept repeating, "this person asked for help with their basement." The way he chose to phrase his response hung with me for some reason.

As we were driving out there, my father and I spoke about fun things, food, business, movies, television, the usual. It was nice, I must say. One of my favorite things to do at work, actually, is to go on first time cleanings and estimates with my father. He has a lot to teach, and simply by watching him work, one can learn a lot. We also do carpet cleanings together.

After a long time, we finally came to the house, and the owner was out to greet us. She was very kind, warm, and welcoming as she led us down to the basement. She also told her story as to why she needed us in the first place. Apparently, they had flooded (it had been drained when we were there), and a lot of old keepsakes were destroyed or damaged. She wanted to make sure that the basement was squeaky clean for fear of mold, mildew, and other unsavory basement surprises. But she was unable to clean it herself.

It was then I learned that we went to do this estimate to simply help someone. Would we turn a profit? No. But that's not what mattered. It turns out, she also wanted to the floor painted, which is something we don't do. But! We know a handyman (a damn good one to boot) that is the husband of a Budget employee, and referred him immediately.

My Dad and I walked out of the house when we were through, and then when we got back in the car, he explained why we came all the way out there- money wasn't the goal (what a concept, right?). We went out there to help someone in need, and in this instance, point them in the right direction. So what if we didn't make a buck?

That simple experience is one I will never forget because my father was able to summarize Budget's entire mission with a single act of kindness. We are here to help people. Yes, we are also in business to make money, but money comes and goes so quickly nowadays. We're so focused on it. And if we had been focused on money and nothing else, this person could still be struggling without us. And even the probability of that happening doesn't fly with me.

I'm not writing this as a commercial, or as a way to brag about how amazing Budget is. This entry is to remind us all that money is just an object. The real reason we should ALL be in business is to help others.

Money is fickle. Why follow its lead?

Responsibility

As I become more and more comfortable with my original position here at Budget, I found myself getting bored. Almost as if he knew, my father cued in and told me I need to broaden my scope and start looking at the business from more of an owner's perspective rather than just a manager. I must say I've been re-challenged, re-motivated, and happy to start working on a new aspect of myself.

Getting older has taught me something. Motivations change. Dramatically. What used to get me going ten years ago seems...trivial. I know it sounds stupid. Like, "well duh you blogging moron", but when it hasn't happened to you yet, it's really a shocking moment. Talk about an epiphany.

Not too long ago, I shuddered to think of owning my own business. All the responsibility, problems, bills, taxes, forms, and a whole crappy cornucopia of other terrible things. But after being in the working world for awhile and seen what a good boss and a bad boss is, I can't picture myself working any other way.

I am going to take this business to place it's never been. Here's hopin' that it's a good one.

Frustration and Futility in the Workplace

Work is stressful. No matter how much you love your job, it will stress you out eventually. Even simple things, like losing a pen, or losing an important file. Having to reload the printer when its out of paper. We also come in contact with toxic people. Customers, co-workers, superiors. But work is work, right?

Wrong.

Work may be hard, it may be stressful, hell. Sometimes it may suck. But that doesn't mean that your feelings and thoughts don't matter. We all have difficult lives. One way or another, there is a struggle out there for everyone, but does that mean we should treat our very lives as a struggle?

Do you have to love your job? No. But should you try and find one that you do love? Of course. Why even live if you can't even try?

Hard Work Breaks Office Chains

Over the past weekend, Budget got a large account. So large in fact, that we didn't have enough people to do it, so I and my father worked alongside four other employees to get the job done. After my father left for a wedding, it was just me, and the crew. The manager in me spoke up, making sure that I watched everything that was going on, and made sure that everything got done right. But there was another part of my job and position that I had forgotten about, and that's the physical, back breaking labor.

When I was a teenager, I would work over the summer with my 'rents cleaning homes. I would dust, wash floors, and clean bathrooms. It was hard work. In fact, the only other time I've encountered something more difficult on a job site was working at a farm slingin' hay bales. Anyway, I had become restless at Budget as of late. Bored. Unproductive. In fact, I was dreading the past weekend, and wanted someone else to take my place. But there was no-one else.

There was no-one else, and I am glad that there wasn't. I had forgotten about the physical end of the job, and how rewarding it is to work alongside with other people going towards the same goal you are- cleaning. I was sore, covered in sweat, mentally and physically exhausted,  but I went home that day knowing that we, not I, we did a good job, and out customer will be happy. And guess what? They were happy.

If you are stuck in an office for the majority of the day like I am, try and get out in the field somewhere to do some real, honest to goodness physical labor if you can, or are able. It shakes off the dust of being a sedentary creature sitting at a computer all day. I know this because I am recharged and re motivated to do good in the company again, and it was all because I reminded myself of how hard all our employees work, and how much time they put into they're jobs. I feel like a new man. I truly do.

Green Cleaning Goods --- Part 2

Hello again! If you read my previous blog, this is part two of my Odyssey through the green cleaning product world, the third part is me delivering results on the methods I have tried. Just in case you have NO clue what I'm talking about, I'm trying out some green cleaning tips from this website. I ended with number five last time, so we'll start at, you guessed it, number six. The tips says to...

Add baking soda to water for a good cleaner safe for counter tops.

Miracle Soda

I have used this, and I enjoy it. A lot.

Pros: It's cheap, the solution is easy to make, and with a little elbow grease and determination, it works quite well. And, you can use it in certain baked goods. And, AND! It's non-toxic. How can you beat that?

Cons: It doesn't disinfect. If you use a simple solution of baking soda and water, you can clean with it, but you can't disinfect with it. If you want that, you gotta add a disinfection agent. A prime example? Vinegar. Just be careful when you mix it with baking soda.

Alright, onto tip number seven. Go green by getting green. Houseplants. Certain houseplants have the power to freshen the air in your home simply by existing. I have houseplants, and let me tell you...




English Ivy


Pros:...they work. The only time I really noticed it was being in my home without them, and then getting the plants. It was a subtle difference, but quite palatable once you recognize it. It was like an...a ha! moment.

Cons: Maintenance, cost, and space to put the plants. The plant won't do it's lovely job if you kill it through neglect. It's a living thing that needs to be fed, watered, and paid attention to. Some houseplants can get a little costly, too.

Alright, onto the next tip, and that would be tip eight. Vinegar (really?) with water. Wow. SOOOOO hard to make. Use it to make your windows gleam with the light of a thousand sons. Okay, yeah I'm exaggerating, but I can so I am. Anyway, the site tells you how to make a simple solution to clean your windows, and wipe them clean with newsprint. I have used the solution, but I gotta try the newsprint. I'll still do a pros and cons, though. Obligatory picture:

Hopefully you don't have these windows...

Pros: Vinegar and water is SO easy to make, it it works like a charm. However, the newsprint trick I cannot confirm first hand, but I have heard that it works quite well on glass surfaces, but not all surfaces. You gotta test it out.

Cons: Uh, the smell of vinegar? Only one I can spot so far. I'll try the newsprint thing and see what "clears up"! Hey, I'm laughing and that's all that counts!

Comin' to the finish line. Tip number nine. Preventing mold and mildew with a special solution that includes tea tree oil. Never even tried this, and I think I would like to. I can't list any pros and cons with this because I've never used it. However, I can say that prevention is the key to eliminate mold and mildew while staying green. I have never used a green cleaning product that kills mold or mildew. If you know of one, PLEASE contact me. Here's a pretty picture anyway.

You and I have a date, little plant.



Last, but not least, tip number ten. Disinfect and scrub your kingdom's throne with baking soda and vinegar. I have never done this, believe it or not. I've been looking for a mild abrasive and disinfectant for my bowl for quite some time now, and honestly? I have No idea why this didn't cross my mind. This is something I will try, you can count on it. For your pleasure, I've included a picture of a toilet.

Well. That's terrifying.

Okay, that about does it for this blog.  I have a lot of things to try, and I am not ashamed to say that I am looking forward to it. Yes, I am looking forward to cleaning. I'll hit you guys up later with my results. If I don't talk to you before then, have a fantastic Holiday season. Thanks for reading!

Baking soda picture found here.

English Ivy picture found here.

Windows picture found here.

Tea Tree picture found here.

Toilet picture found here.

Disturbing Environmental News

     Earth is a point of supreme controversy. I post articles about it on my Twitter account all the time. Think about it, it really is. Some believe in climate change, some are bound by facts to believe in climate change, some deny it, some look at the facts as propaganda, you name it. Humans will disagree about anything just to prove each other right or wrong. There is no real winner here. Treating the planet better should be the main objective, not proving anything anymore. People that arent' interested in helping the environment won't. Period. Facts won't convince them. Screaming won't convince them, threats, you name it. Instead of focusing on who's right and who's wrong, why not just help the environment if you believe in helping it? Don't waste your time trying to prove others right, others wrong, no. Just...do. When an oil spill can do this:

     Why are we debating over who's at fault? Just clean the damn bird, worry about the politics later. The more action we take, the more answers we get, and eventually those responsible will be brought to justice. When climate change can do this:

     Why are we debating if it's true or not? Rally the people that do care, and get something done. One voice is pointless in a big crowd, but when you spread the word, and entire crowd and all start saying the same thing. When logging companies do this:

     Why are we wasting time blaming and crying outrage? PLANT and stop them. Complaining does nothing, doing does...well everything. I help the planet every day. Everyday. I recycle a lot more than I ever have, I am more mindful of the plastics that I use, I conserve fuel and I have a hybrid car, I use phosphate free soaps and green seal cleaning products, I shut off lights, I pick up litter, blah blah BLAH. Every one of you can do something. Simple, stupid little things that don't mean much if only one person is doing it, but imagine the power of 1,000 people following suit. 10,000. 1,000,000. 1,000,000,000? Doing the right thing can be scary, or even difficult, but once someone starts it becomes contagious. Why don't you try spreading the bug? Think about it.

Bird in Oil spill picture obtained from here.

Polar Bear picture obtained from here.

Deforestation picture obtained from here.