Am I a builder or a Wrecker?

I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.
With a ho-heave-ho and lusty yell,
They swung a beam, and a sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
The men you’d hire if you had to build?”

He gave me a laugh and said, “No indeed!
Just common labor is all I need.
I can easily wreck in a day or two
What builders have taken a year to do.”

And I thought to myself as I went my way,
Which of these two roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds by a well-made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?

by Charles Franklin Benvegar

Are you a builder of your life and career, or do you sabotage yourself and tear yourself down? Unfortunately, we have not only been dealing with a pandemic, but society has had an epidemic of too many people feeling like they cannot make any mistakes. I have seen people sabotage themselves by preventing their growth. I have witnessed sabotage at all levels, personally, professionally, and community. Sabotage occurs when anyone hinders or stops development, or progression and clings to the past.

Our attitudes affect our goal setting, risk-taking, relationships, communication, and time management.

Attitude of WreckerThe attitude of a builder

·         Opposed to all that is good
·         Cling to the old
·         Criticizes others
·         Backstab
·         Gossip
·         Undermine the team
·         Take all the praise for themselves.
·        Create drama and chaos.
 ·         Encouraging
·         Edify
·         Educate
·         Energize others
·         Collaborate with others
·         Supportive
·         Generous with their time
·         Active listeners
·         Positive

Ways to improve your attitude:

  • Take Action
    • Act with a purpose. We can be moving but not have a purpose. What is your “why”? Walt Disney’s why was to “make people happy”.
  • Spend time with others who have a positive attitude
  • Forgive easily
  • Use your Manners and be grateful
    • Says please and thank you. When kindness is given, kindness is received.
    • We live in an entitled society. Have you ever spoken with a refugee? It is humbling to learn their story and see their gratitude for what we take for granted every day. Here in the United States, in Idaho, we are blessed, and we have so much more than other countries and cultures.
  • Do not compare yourself to others.
    • This is hard to do. Recently on social media, there has been the #10yearchallenge. People were posting photos of themselves 10 years ago. It is fun to look back and see how far you have come, but when you see others’, progress do not compare yourself to them.
  • Personal growth
    • Great leaders are always seeking self-improvement.

Are you a builder or a wrecker? When you actively take action to improve yourself, it reflects in aspects of your life.

By, Cheryl Viola, Executive Director/CEO, MBA