Behaviour is a Choice

I was introduced to a business consultant in 2020 by my accountant. The purpose behind the introduction was to help rebuild my plumbing business back into the dream I once had. We made some great progress, and it began to gather steam, but my heart just wasn't in it. A new relationship, an upcoming wedding, and renovating a home to blend our families together took priority over the business, and all progress was lost. With my focus on other things, I lost touch with the consultant and his support.

When the opportunity to convert an empty space into a spa presented itself to me, I took the leap. I knew I could do one project like this, and wanted to try. At the end of the project, I was happy - really happy. I was fulfilled with the work we completed. I was eager to get up each morning and face the challenges of the day. In my soul, I knew this was what I wanted, but this time I needed help from the beginning.

One of the biggest challenges I faced as I considered transitioning my career path from being a plumbing contractor to a general contractor was the fear of failing again. As the plumbing company was winding down, I wasn't sure I had the emotional strength to try building a successful construction business. All I could see were my shortcomings, and all the things I had done wrong. I was looking at my past with negativity, not with courage and an open heart.

I reached out to my former consultant and asked to set up a meeting. When we met, I asked if he would be willing to take a look at my plan and come back on board with me to help me build my new construction company. He agreed on one condition: that this was what I was focused on. That my behavior was my choice. We have worked together now for close to two years, and this message keeps coming up.

Each time something happens, I hear his voice telling me, "Your behavior is your choice." For me, this means doing what the business needs from me—even if I don't want to. Staying late to finish a quote for a potential client. Getting to the office early to respond to emails that get missed during the day. On a bigger level, it means taking the negative thoughts I have about myself and reframing them as a positive. My perceived failures are not what define me—they were lessons given to me to grow from. They are becoming my strength, and as situations arise, I get to choose how to deal with them.

An analogy he often uses to help me understand what he's trying to teach me is a building's construction. A good business, much like a building, starts with a good foundation. When a building has a strong, well-designed foundation, the sky is the limit. Much like my construction business. As I am trying to grow my construction company and say yes to all the jobs, hire more people, he reels me back in: "Back to basics, Keith." You first need to work on the fundamentals of business. The "foundation" we are working on is providing clarity with systems and processes—the kind of business planning that turns dreams into reality. Because as he says, "A business without a plan is just a dream."

A mentor that has been with me through both businesses has been my greatest asset. Having a friend that has been with me through the last few phases of my life has been invaluable. He gives an outside perspective of the growth I often forget I've experienced. He challenges me to continue on the path of becoming a construction entrepreneur because, after all, I'm just a tradesperson learning how to run a business.

Looking back, I wish I'd had access to solid construction business advice when I was struggling with my plumbing company. If you're a contractor facing similar challenges or thinking about how to grow your construction company, know that you're not alone. These contractor business tips I've learned through experience might help you too. Whether you're here in Southern Alberta or anywhere else, the fundamentals of building systems and choosing your behavior remain the same.