What’s In Your Toolbelt?
As someone who’s used a tool belt extensively, I have come to see just how valuable it is. In my line of work, everybody had their own hammer, tape measure, speed square, etc. These things are valuable on their own. They are crucial for different types of work. However, they are not universal to all crafts. A hammer cannot be used in place of a screwdriver. A tape measure will not be very useful as a pry bar. That’s why there are different tools for different jobs. A tool belt not only keeps those tools organized but also stores them at your fingertips so that they can be accessed at a moment’s notice. The more tools in one’s tool belt, the more work can be accomplished. The range of abilities is increased if your tool belt is kept stocked with as many different implements as possible.
While a leather belt with a lot of loops and pockets attached may not be an occurrence at most startups or businesses, the premise of the toolbelt should still be remembered. Your “tool-belt” will look different whatever your field. A photographer may fill their “belt” with tools like a DSLR, a tripod, Photoshop, and Lightroom, for starters. A customer success rep may keep tools like TextExpander, Zendesk, and Drift in their “belt”. A podcaster would possibly have tools like Audacity, Anchor, and a quality microphone as their go-to. The list could go on and on, but here’s my point.
Never stop filling your tool belt.
There’s no limit for how diverse your skillset can be. There’s no cap on how much you can be proficient in. There are only so many different objects you can hang on a literal belt (unless you’re a friend of mine who we would frequently call “Mobile Menards”; he had everything in his belt!), but that doesn’t apply for acquired skills and abilities. You’re only limited by your ability to learn, and your desire to pursue and improve. The more you know, the more valuable you are. As a foreman at a construction site, who do you think I’d rather employ: a guy who shows up with one hammer he doesn’t even know how to use, or a seasoned veteran with a belt full of tools and the ability to use those tools efficiently and effectively? I think it’s obvious. Be the person who never stops improving. Be the person who never stops learning. Be the person who has more in their tool belt than anyone else.
What’s in your toolbelt right now? What are you doing to build on that?
