I have attempted to trace back when I started to use my
concept of the ToolBox and I think it was around 6 or 7 years old. My best
guess, is someone was talking about life tools and my 6-year-old imagination
pictured actual tools that would naturally be stored in a ToolBox.
So let’s expand on the analogy further.
A good tool collector is always looking for new tools. Take
a little time to evaluate recent event’s in your life and identify tools you can
add to your ToolBox. Failure to do so could result in a lot of hardship. Everyone
knows the right tools make the job easier.
For example, when I was 12-years-old I recall a conversation
my dad had with a fellow teammate from his softball team that gave me an
invaluable tool. They were having some adult drinks, vodka an orange juice to
be precise, and I was playing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nintendo video
game in the same room. I have always had a thirst for knowledge and I’m always
looking for new lessons and tools. My
dad’s friend mentioned very casually that it would be great if a person could
learn from someone else’s experiences and mistakes. I took that to heart. I have carried that lesson every day of my
life. I internalized it and forged it into a tool. A tool that made me a person
that was better connected to the people I came in contact with. A tool that
made me a better listener and more compassionate being. And since then, I have
attempted to learn from other’s experiences with a great degree of success.
Start of Random Thought
Vodka and orange juice is commonly known as a screwdriver,
which is ironic since we are talking about tools. During my recent travels I went to the Van
Gogh museum and the audio tour was pretty awesome. I have been craving sushi lately, maybe I’m
pregnant. I should eat sushi soon but I don’t think pregnant people are
supposed to eat raw fish. I will make a
mental note to buy several pregnancy tests on the way home. This is a good time
of the year for sport fans, rugby world cup just happened, baseball season
ended and basketball season started. Soccer all the time and I’m still
adjusting to FIFA 2016.
End of Random Thought
Back to the analogy:
Don’t settle for a basic tool set and a good multi-tool.
That is simply not enough. Seek to develop an ample toolbox capable of handling
many different tasks. Tools that are purpose built.
As humans we are naturally drawn to people who have
different tools than we do and also individuals who have a lot more tools than
we do.
Seek to borrow someone else’s tools when you don’t have the
right one. Conversely, share your tools with everyone. Share them with the new
generation and give them a head start. People helping people, it’s a beautiful
thing.
If your ToolBox is not growing, neither are you. Marinate on
that.
