It all ties together…
But how Does it All Tie together? So how did all this tie into being an introvert and responsibility for me? Well for me it was always about overachieving in work and on the field. Be the best, be the fastest, and get things done under impossible deadlines and sometimes hard conditions. I believe it shaped me into who I am today. Had it been a different upbringing, I believe I would have been a different person.
Unlike other kids, we went home to work. My brother sold video games at a flea market, we helped deliver furniture and worked when we had free time. We felt guilty if Mom and Dad were working and we were not. This work ethic and not so much lack of socialization but lack of understanding from others was the difference. We couldn’t explain to other kids what we were doing. They didn’t understand this.
What Was Next?
Know how to do it all! Yup, in our little world, we could cut, sew, make, and stuff cushions. Install bed mechanisms, cut foam, glue foam, prep and upholster a sofa.
By this time, we were older but how many 13-16 years old kids can do this? Not many and less today, I am sure.
This grew into a passion for design, productivity, and lean manufacturing before it was even a thing. We had to make things better, faster, and cheaper. Always finding innovative solutions for the problems we face. We had to be accountable, for sales, marketing, and manufacturing all in one while being the workers. This sort of shut me off from many other people, they simply wouldn’t understand. What’s it like telling an older adult how to do things when I have had a decade of experience at the age of 20? It’s not taken well I assure you.
How Did We Cope?
Very well I think, but I also feel that this has taken its toll on us. We missed out on some childhood fun in favor of success early on in life. Our understanding of the world was far greater and very few friends could relate. This attitude I feel has worked against me early on in life. Plus, I assume some of this was within me. However, this work ethic followed me through life to today. I must say that the last 5 years of my life have been the most interesting despite dealing with decades and decades in the furniture business. Yes, having a wife, then an ex-wife, kids, and family changed all that. Having to be a single dad with two kids also changed me. However, the last five years have helped me be me and, in many ways, shed some responsibility and helped me become an extrovert after many years of being an introvert. I feel my surroundings, my environment and social media have helped me morph into a better and more all-around person. I feel more comfortable in my skin than I have ever felt before. Part of that to me is, less responsibility and doing more of what I want to do and more of what I am capable of doing. But, I am sure my past and my childhood shaped me and therefore I am as I am and happier because of it.
