Published by Craig Corti on 4/19/2023
I can't think of an old-timer activity more classic than building a model pirate ship.
Ok fine, maybe putting together jig saw puzzles or solving a crossword puzzle. I'm not talking about the crossword on your iPad, I'm talking about the one in the Sunday paper!
My grandpa Murphy liked to work on projects and model pirate ships certainly became a favorite of his during his later years.
I helped my grandpa install the masts on a ship shown here while visiting him in Florida one week in early 2022.
In just a few short days I learned a lot about his project and the sheer amount of time and dexterity it takes to complete one of these projects
Here are a 5 transferrable life lessons I learned while helping my grandpa:
1. Start: Simple yet difficult. When taking on any project, challenge, adventure, or task it is crucial to physically start! This seems very obvious, yet it is important to reflect on what may cause you to delay starting or to never start at all. No doubt the unknown can be scary, but what is more frightening is the prospect of living a life in the "what if?". Would you rather have the pain of failure or have to deal with the pain of regret?
2. Think outside the box: The instruction manual to that ship was absurd. The manual was the most minimal yet complex set of instructions you could fathom. It was a guide, but without detailed instruction. This opened the door of opportunity for us. This enabled us to think outside the box. Make do with what we had.
My grandpa told me one time that he was called "make do Murphy". By whom? No idea, but using your existing resources to the best of your ability is a skillset that promotes adaptability and that is something my grandpa appeared to embrace. Adaptability is a vehicle for growth.
3. Have patience: Things will never be perfect and if they are, they won't be for too long. The world is changing and so is your environment. It's important to recognize that the journey is often the true reward. Work hard, but be patient with the process and yourself. If you focus on the right things such as your strengths and you put in consistent work, good things will come.
4. Step away: Knowing when to step away from something is often understated. If you are stumped, take a step back. A clear mind and a more energetic approach can make a significant difference on any project. Respite is good for the mind and body. If you are an athlete, incorporate rest/recovery into your training plan.
5. Ask for help: Sure, you can do things alone and can even get things done quicker without others bogging you down, but you might be missing out on a few benefits. Not only is this mindset potentially less fun and less engaging, but it can also be counterproductive. The most successful teams have others to lean on for support. Collaboration can form impenetrable bonds. It has been a key component to survival for centuries. Every old-timer knows this.
I will always remember working on that ship with my grandpa. We may have not finished, but we started. Memories were formed through our problem solving, patience, and team work.
-Craig, Old-Timer Mindset
I can't think of an old-timer activity more classic than building a model pirate ship.
Ok fine, maybe putting together jig saw puzzles or solving a crossword puzzle. I'm not talking about the crossword on your iPad, I'm talking about the one in the Sunday paper!
My grandpa Murphy liked to work on projects and model pirate ships certainly became a favorite of his during his later years.
I helped my grandpa install the masts on a ship shown here while visiting him in Florida one week in early 2022.
In just a few short days I learned a lot about his project and the sheer amount of time and dexterity it takes to complete one of these projects
Here are a 5 transferrable life lessons I learned while helping my grandpa:
1. Start: Simple yet difficult. When taking on any project, challenge, adventure, or task it is crucial to physically start! This seems very obvious, yet it is important to reflect on what may cause you to delay starting or to never start at all. No doubt the unknown can be scary, but what is more frightening is the prospect of living a life in the "what if?". Would you rather have the pain of failure or have to deal with the pain of regret?
2. Think outside the box: The instruction manual to that ship was absurd. The manual was the most minimal yet complex set of instructions you could fathom. It was a guide, but without detailed instruction. This opened the door of opportunity for us. This enabled us to think outside the box. Make do with what we had.
My grandpa told me one time that he was called "make do Murphy". By whom? No idea, but using your existing resources to the best of your ability is a skillset that promotes adaptability and that is something my grandpa appeared to embrace. Adaptability is a vehicle for growth.
3. Have patience: Things will never be perfect and if they are, they won't be for too long. The world is changing and so is your environment. It's important to recognize that the journey is often the true reward. Work hard, but be patient with the process and yourself. If you focus on the right things such as your strengths and you put in consistent work, good things will come.
4. Step away: Knowing when to step away from something is often understated. If you are stumped, take a step back. A clear mind and a more energetic approach can make a significant difference on any project. Respite is good for the mind and body. If you are an athlete, incorporate rest/recovery into your training plan.
5. Ask for help: Sure, you can do things alone and can even get things done quicker without others bogging you down, but you might be missing out on a few benefits. Not only is this mindset potentially less fun and less engaging, but it can also be counterproductive. The most successful teams have others to lean on for support. Collaboration can form impenetrable bonds. It has been a key component to survival for centuries. Every old-timer knows this.
I will always remember working on that ship with my grandpa. We may have not finished, but we started. Memories were formed through our problem solving, patience, and team work.
-Craig, Old-Timer Mindset
