Heard a landscaping crew complaining about my driveway finish and I get it now

Last week I was finishing a small patio job and overheard some landscapers talking about a driveway I did 4 months ago. They said the broom finish was inconsistent and the joints were rough. At first I got defensive but then I walked over and looked at it again and honestly they were right. The problem was I rushed the final pass because it was getting dark and I didn't want to come back the next day. Now I always bring a headlamp and make sure I have enough daylight before I start the broom work. Has anyone else had to eat crow after hearing another trades person point out a flaw in your work?

3 comments

3 Comments

thea_mitchell2023d ago

Gotta love when you get humbled by strangers who have zero reason to sugarcoat it. It stings but honestly it's one of the best ways to level up, because that feedback is real and not someone just trying to be nice. Makes me think about how in everyday life people will point out stuff you missed but you gotta swallow your pride and actually listen instead of getting defensive. Like when my neighbor told me my garbage bins were always blocking the sidewalk and I was annoyed at first but then realized yeah they were right and it was just laziness on my part. Same with my kid's teacher mentioning he was zoning out in class and I wanted to blame the school but nah it was too much screen time at home. Point is those little reality checks hurt but they save you from looking dumb later if you just take the L and fix it.

stella_murray23d ago

Oh man, YES this. The best unsolicited advice is the stuff that hits a little too close to home. I had a coworker once just straight up tell me I was talking too much in meetings and not letting others get a word in. I was so mad at first like who does she think she is? But then I watched myself the next few meetings and yikes she was totally right. I was steamrolling people without even noticing. Same thing with my friend who told me I complain too much, I was defensive but then realized I was literally the person people avoid at parties. Those moments suck in the moment but they literally change your whole behavior if you let them.

abbyg1421d ago

You mentioned your neighbor said the bins were blocking the sidewalk, but in most towns that's actually a code violation and they can get fined for it, not just a courtesy thing.