“I lay brick”
At 16 years old, while visiting my grandparents, I convinced my grandfather to drop me off at the nearby beach. He was reluctant, but agreed.
When, a few hours later, he returned to pick me up, there was a “young man” sitting on the edge of my towel.
I remember it vividly. My Sicilian grandfather walked over, stood within a few inches of my towel, and without any introduction, said, “Young man, what do you do?”
The young man answered proudly:
“I lay brick.”
After a brief pause, my grandfather motioned his head in a way that led with his chin. The young man was quick to be on his way.
Clearly, at least from my grandfather’s perspective, laying brick wasn’t good enough. Perhaps because we think that that job is a little beneath us, isn’t making a real difference, doesn’t require skill or education… none of which is probably true.
I hadn’t thought of this story in ages.
But after a recent coaching call with one of my clients, it popped to mind.
We were discussing approaches to put structures, systems, and policies in place to help ensure that her non-profit organization, a legacy-driven leadership mission, outlives her.
I sometimes speak in metaphors on coaching calls.
On this particular call, the power of laying one brick at a time to create something built to last served as a helpful reframe on some tasks that felt daunting, perhaps unnecessary, and wished to be avoided.
Brick laying isn’t full of glory. It’s hard labor, exposed to the elements, hands in the dirt work that requires sweat equity to get the job done.
It’s worth noting too that people tend to dress up, applaud, and take photos to commemorate ribbon cutting ceremonies. But brick laying? Not so much. That’s the dirty work, often done by unsung heroes.
I think we need to celebrate the brick layers.
Those who take the time to lay one brick at a time, to build something to last, are invaluable. Not to mention the fact that if the craft of brick laying isn’t done well and with skill and attention, ultimately, the foundation will crumble and the building will fall.
I’m not just talking about physical structures. A strong foundation is needed for everything and anything you value and wish to last.
Intentionally placed bricks create a strong ready-to-be-built-on foundation.
Taking the metaphor one step further, when it comes to dreaming your life to be what you wish and imagine it could be … guess what?
YOU are the foundation that your dreams are built on.
Not unlike the foundation of a house, one key piece to the coaching I do is helping to really strengthen this foundation for and with you – and that, *is* YOU. Your feelings, your skills, your plans, your mind/body/subconscious getting fully on board to make your dreams easier to achieve.
This is so important because WITHOUT this foundation, when the “wind” blows … (say, an unexpected expense pops up, or you get a stomach bug and need to rest, or someone you love and trust tells you your dream isn’t realistic) … your dreams will still stand strong despite this.
Recognizing that YOU are the foundation your dreams are built on, can lead to some powerful new choices. When you strengthen that foundation, your world expands.
With this approach, the foundation that is YOU is ready for the next layer, building further, and the next, and the next…
Brick by brick.
There’s so much pride and momentum to be found in the nitty-gritty, as you BECOME the strong, ready foundation for the life and the dreams YOU are building.
While it may not be the work that gets all the glory, and it may not be the work that’s always fun, it is the work that sets the stage for your dreams.
Your dreams need YOU.
Your dreams need you to lay the bricks, and become the person, and do the things that will ultimately support THEM.
And, I will happily be your foreman/forewoman. 😊
I will celebrate every brick you lay.
So many people want to jump straight to the living-the-dream part. And while that’s amazing, it’s those solid bricks – stacked and secured with care and love and attention – that creates SUSTAINABLE dreams that are so much more fun to live in and build on.
The right support and coaching helps ensure that you stay with it, manage your energy, stay nourished and clear on the goal, one step and stage at a time. This is what makes it possible.
I am that coach and if this speaks to you, I want to help.
I have openings now for my FREE Top Shelf Session with Tara Assessment, a 1:1 conversation where we will…get you clarity on your dreams, and create a strategic next steps plan with specific next action steps to get joyfully on track and deepen your awareness about how to magnify what’s working – and shift what isn’t – so you can create your desired future with clarity, confidence, and ease.
Go to www.sessionwithtara.com to grab one.
Apply the power of “laying brick” to your life, relationships, business, or anything else you want and value… and there will be many ribbon cuttings to come!
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