The Parable of The Master Carpenter

3 Thoughts

I.

The ultimate reward of working hard isn't what you get, but who you become in the process.

II.

The secret to meaningful work: Work on things you'd do for free. Then figure out how to get paid for it.

III.

Loneliness is the tax you pay when you commit to improving your life.

2 Quotes

I.

This hit me in my feels 🥲

As Sahil Bloom says, “Never let your quest for more distract you from the beauty of enough.”

II.

🫳🎤

1 Game-Changing Idea

There was once a master carpenter. For decades, he built homes that were the envy of the entire region. Everything he touched - door frames, joints, staircases - felt crafted, not just assembled.

Eventually, he told his boss he was ready to retire. He wanted to slow down. Be with his grandkids. The contractor nodded, shook his hand, thanked him.

But then asked for one last favor.

“One more house. Then you’re done.”

The carpenter didn’t want to. His heart wasn’t in it anymore. But he agreed.

Only this time, he cut corners.

He used cheaper wood. He ignored the tiny imperfections he once obsessed over. He skipped steps he used to teach apprentices never to miss. It looked fine on the surface - but deep down he knew it wasn’t his best work. He figured, “What does it matter? It’s just one last job.”

When he finished, the contractor handed him the keys.

“This house is yours,” he said. “It’s our gift to you for all the years you gave us.”

The carpenter froze.

He had just built his own retirement home… poorly.

Had he known, he would’ve chosen the materials differently. Slowed down. Checked every joint. Given it the care it deserved.

But now it was too late.

He built his own future with shortcuts.

So do you.

Every email you send, every meeting you walk into, every piece of work you touch - those are bricks in the house you’re building. Your reputation is made up of the corners you don’t cut. You don’t rise to your level of motivation - you fall to your standard of execution.

People think they can turn it on when it matters. But by then, it’s too late. You’ve already built the foundation you’re standing on.

The world rarely tells you when the work you're doing is for you.

That’s why it matters to treat everything like it is.

Every task is a chance to raise your standard. To build the kind of house you’d actually want to live in.

Because one day, you’ll be handed the keys.

Make sure you’re proud to walk through that door.

Until next week,
Jay “You’re Always Building Your Home” Yang

Ps. Don’t Cheat

Pps. Made a lil something for those who know you can just do things

Kind words for ‘You Can Just Do Things’

Always means so damn much when people share stories like this. 🙏

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