The Plight of the DIY Weekend Warrior

Musings along the continuum from blaming HGTV to the value of project managers

Behold, the three day weekend! Many revel in the promise of boats, beaches, ballgames and barbecues. Then there are the more masochistic among us who mutter “Aha!” and contrive all manner of yard and household projects. We are the ones who fail to heed “do not try this at home” caveats and dive headlong into activities better left to professionals. Problem this year is, pros are scarce.

Project Constants for DIY kings and queens:

• You will make comprehensive lists of tools and supplies needed, head to Lowes or Home Depot and own the aisles. (BTW - thanks for the military discount and recognizing the significance Memorial Day, guys)
• You will return determined and tackle the toughest plans you’ve made
• At some point, you will look down and realize you are bleeding profusely from somewhere and never be able to reverse engineer the cause.  You will break any self-imposed profanity filters and then realize that you only have Dora the Explorer Band-Aids in the cabinet, opting instead for electrical tape.
• You will become adept at finding new hiding places to avoid the dreaded "honey, are you sure?"
• Finally, you will grab your mobile with grubby hands and surrender to the omniscience of YouTube ‘how-to” videos.   
• Disappointed in realizing your list was not really so comprehensive, you will make at least 2 more trips to home improvement stores, holding the interior of your vehicle in contempt as you climb in all grungy and treat it like a contractor’s Econoline van.
• This time you will engage everyone with whom you come in contact as an expert witness, asking total strangers clearly not wearing store vests “do you think this will work?”
• Despite an active exercise routine, you will be way more stiff and sore at day’s end than you ever get at the gym.  
• However, you will wear the pain like a badge of honor, self-satisfied in having made measurable progress on something tangible.
• Rinse and repeat. Recognizing the therapeutic benefit of pulling away from keyboard, proposals, presentations and contracts – you will become a glutton for punishment and the Prince(ss) of Pride in ownership

So, what’s your point, dude? The moral here? 

Professional project management. Applying the lessons learned through too much trial-and-error has led me to more methodically approach landscaping and minor remodeling as if I were consulting a PMP. 

Whether building bridges and tunnels, developing software, manufacturing durable goods, farming or synthesizing pharmaceuticals - overlaying expert planners, task masters and trackers is the surefire way minimize disappointment, frustration and failure while ensure on-time, on-budget delivery. 

Plus - you just might bleed less.