For every father (and mother) out there, DIY is one of the most polarizing subjects to come up. At least in terms of men, we are expected to know how to fix things, but that doesn’t come easily. It takes an awful lot of practice to master the art of DIY, and believe me; I’ve had more than enough setbacks in my time. In my experience, though, there are just three things that every household handyman needs to master his craft. Here they are.
Tools
I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying – a workman is only as good as his tools. Truer words were never spoken. A well-equipped toolbox is essential to make sure you’re never caught short when a job needs doing. If you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in a job, only to discover you’re missing the right tool, you’ll understand. Whether you’re renovating the kitchen or just putting up a shelf, you’ll need tools for every occasion.
Picking them all up in one fell swoop can be a pretty costly procedure. I’ve found it to be much more sensible (and viable) to pick things up as you need them. Before I start any job now, I ask myself if I have everything I need to see it through. I don’t want to get halfway done and find I have to drive to the DIY store to finish the job. Your toolbox should always be filled with at least the basics. Screwdriver heads. Wrench. Hammer. Drill. You can probably find a decent inexpensive starter kit online. Then it’s just a case of adding what you need as you go. Before you know it, your garage is brimming with gadgets, so everything you’ll ever need is just a short walk away.
Self-Awareness
Sometimes, you think there is no job too big for you to handle. Let me assure you, that is almost definitely not the case. I learned pretty early on in my DIY career that you’ve got to know when to admit defeat. If you bite off more than you can chew, you risk botching the job. This could just mean you’ve wasted time and money, but there can be more sinister consequences. I have a rule when it comes to doing work at home. Plumbing, boiler, and electrical repairs require the professionals. Sure, it’d be nice to save money, but it’s not worth the hassle if it goes wrong. Unless you’re qualified in these areas, leave it to the experts.
Patience
What I’ve found you need most – above all – is patience. No job worth doing ever comes easy. If you don’t have a steady hand and the patience of a saint, DIY is probably not for you. There will be times you feel like tearing your hair out. In these instances, keeping a cool head is vital. Allowing yourself to get flustered is only going to affect your judgment and potentially ruin the job. The reason I love DIY is that it is almost therapeutic. The minute it stopped being fun is the minute I’d walk away. That said, sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. Some jobs take longer than anticipated. Some are more difficult than you’d imagine. The combination of pride and relief once you finish, though, makes it all worthwhile.
