role model

[mrs. westcoast]

Who is/was your role model now or when you were growing up?

Who do you look up too?

Who did you wanted to be like?

Why is/are they your role model?

Do you think you changed in some period in your life and become your role model?

[Drain Medic]

Who is/was your role model now or when you were growing up?

Who do you look up too?

Who did you wanted to be like?

Why is/are they your role model?

Do you think you changed in some period in your life and become your role model?


I never had a "Role Model" growing. Sure i wanted to be like my dad, in some ways. When i was young, I never saw my dad. He was a car detailer. He would work from 6am to 8pm Mon thru Sat. Then he would take our cars on Sunday and spend all day washing our own cars. When he got home, he would go to sleep. Not seeing him at all, of course i wanted to work with my dad when i got older.

As i got older i realized how hard my dad had worked in his life. It was the only thing i knew really from him. So naturally my 1st job was working with him at age 16 at the car lot. Working with him never worked out, for personal reasons. I never knew anyone who worked as hard as he did, or put in the hours he did. I was 16 and just got my license. I didnt want to be him then.

Anyway when i met my wife, I had just got out of school. She had a daughter already, and i was young with no responsibility. She was the girl for me though. We got married 8 months later. With being married, and having a daughter , which i adopted, life hit me right away. I went from being a party animal, to a husband and father. My wife is a Nurse at a Hospital. She is very dedicated at what she does. It made me jealous that she was so dedicated at her job.

When i got into drain cleaning, i went to work for acouple brothers who owned a sewer cleaning business. The oldest brother meant business, the 2nd oldest i didnt really know to much, and the youngest brother was more my age, so you pal'd around with him. He was more of a friend or coworker then a boss. The oldest brother knew his stuff, very disciplined. He worked on jets in the Air Force. He ran a very tight ship at the office. You never got personal with him, he wouldnt let you...Anyway i know this long, but after watching him for the 6yrs that i was with this company, i thought..This is exactly how i would want to run my business. His company went from 4 vans 4 employees and working out of a shack the 1st yr i was there, to 8 Super Sewer Trucks (Box Trucks) 1 plumbing box truck, 2 excavation crews, 10 guys on the road, and a huge office.

Moral of the story... My role models in life

My dad, for his hard work ethics
My Wife, for her love of her job, and they way she treated others
My exboss, for his business methods, the way he handled employees, to his vision in business, and his dedication to his company.

I love my wife, and my dad, but my exboss i will never forget. I take all his ethics, knowledge that he has given to me and use it at my business, i will never forget him.

[mrs. westcoast]

Wow Greg,

First of all thank you for being a man and post first:):):)

It is a very emotional story..good writing..

I will see if i can get some more manly plumbers to post theirs:)

[Drain Medic]

Wow Greg,

First of all thank you for being a man and post first:):):)

It is a very emotional story..good writing..

I will see if i can get some more manly plumbers to post theirs:)


Im not a wimp LOL, just in a typing mood;)

[gear junkie]

I'd have to say Rick-----just kidding, I'm sorry Rick, I couldn't resist. Seriously, I've always looked at people and their qualities and tried to emulate the qualities and not the person.

I did have 4 people who influenced me the most:
-My dad who is the opposite of me; He's tactful, levelheaded and thinks with his head. He always put himself second to the family and sacrificed himself to make ends meet. He never broke a promise and did the best he could for us kids. He was mostly self taught in everything he did.

-Robbie Kendrick was my mechanic when I started doing AC. He had the best work ethic I've ever seen and always got the job done right. He taught me alot about working in horrid conditions. He always stood up for what was right and never allowed his judgement to be swayed.

-Jimmy Pierce was a Navy Chief who was interesting because he got the job done his way and not by being an a$$hole which is leadership style of the Navy. He never led from the rear. He would be right there up front helping you out. If he told you to do something, he would be right along side you. He also helped me out in the desert. That's another story.

-David Garcia was my LPO in Guam who always wanted others around him to succeed and he gave them the tools to do so. You always felt bad after he chewed you out because you felt like you dissapointed him. He had this natural talent for bringing out the best in people. He was the posterchild of what a Seabee should be.

This is the very condensed version of these people and my writing does them no justice. I've been very close to thousands of people from all walks of life and have learned one thing or another from them all to improve myself.

[mrs. westcoast]

My role model has always been my mom..taught me everything what to expect in the life..

Her role model was lady Di

[HVAC HAWK]

mine is a little different
it is my farther
and i like it that he did a lot of wrong things in his life drink to much ,divorce, hit his kids ,cheat on his wife ,pick a fight with a state trooper ,got kicked out of a union after 32 yrs ,said i would be a failure and never make it in the real world and a lot more .
so he was the role model i did not want to be .
i have a wife for 19 yrs, two teenage girls .a house with a couple yrs left to pay for,2 cars 1 truck ,a good job ,lots of good friends and my happiness that i beat his goals in life :D

[CWSmith]

My Dad was a hardworker, and I certainly looked up to him with great respect, but he was too often a short-tempered and angry man. He was certainly never abusive to any of us, but he seemed angry at the whole world at times. My mother was more sick than not, sometimes real, but also too often imagined. Life at home had too many sad times and while I admired my Dad for his strength of character and his hard work, I knew I didn't want to repeat that kind of life.

As I grew I found a lot of character traits in books, mostly history. I also looked at people that I met, friends, their families and just people in general. I can't say that I really wanted to be exactly like any of them, but I paid attention and developed respect for certain characteristics.

I also found it was easier to learn from the misfortunes and character failings of people than it was to learn from people who were successful. I guess the traits are easier to spot. Knowing someone who is successful and a great person is one thing, but you can't learn all that goes into making that person what they are, much less emulate it. I could however, easily recognize the things I disliked, and take steps to ensure that I would not be like that.

In consideration of all the people that have passed through my days, the greatest influence of all has been my wife. Certainly she is the strongest and most decent person I have ever known. We don't always agree, and she certainly is not always right, but she has always been a steadfast guide for me. I've done a lot of growing up in the forty years of our marriage. I've also learned that the best that I can be is not just for myself, but for her, and our family.

CWS

[res057]

My role models were and are my Father and my Mothers youngest brother (10yrs. older than me).
Dad taught me right from wrong and hoped some of the lessons soaked through. He taught me how to do things and how to think on my own. He taught me how to learn.
My uncle taught me how to treat other people. His motto, as far back as I can remember, was "You can repay me by helping the next guy". That stuck with me.
An entry by CWSmith is stated perfectly, so I'll borrow it;

As I grew I found a lot of character traits in books, mostly history. I also looked at people that I met, friends, their families and just people in general. I can't say that I really wanted to be exactly like any of them, but I paid attention and developed respect for certain characteristics.CWS

I hope to be a role model for my son. I want him to be able to expand upon my good traits, and learn from and avoid the bad. In summary, I want what every good parent wants- I want my childs life to be better than mine.

Jack

[plumberscrack]

Excellent thread Zeljka:)

Good to see some of the guys 'cowboy up' and post their feelings.

This is an emotional topic for me so stop me if I start to blubber.:o

Dad died when I was 12 and being the youngest of 7 kids my older bothers didn't want to spend time with 'little' Billy:( Most were boozers, womanizers and drug addicts. Those that are still alive haven't changed any. There were a few neighbors and extended family members that tried to reach out to me early on but I found it better that I make my way alone. I didn't need to follow a path that someone else had made for me. Sure I got lost a few times on the path of life in my late teens and early 20's. I'm not proud of it but mistakes make me who I am. Like CWSmith posted I learned from watching others failures and accomplishments.

That's why I come here to the Ridgid forum. To learn from everyone here. You all are my heroes.:o Wait, I need another tissue.............

Like Robert for instance, wish I had his ambition.....People say I am not motivated enough. It's not that I'm lazy, just tired:) And Rick who knows having the right tool for the job and charging a fair price for using it can earn respect and loyalty from your customer base. And of course Mark who is the eternal diplomat here. Garager who after 31 years with an addition to nicotine has the courage now to walk away from it. Never been a smoker but I have seen it take the lives of many strong willed people who couldn't kick it. Plumbdog, what can I say......he speaks his mind. Some of you might find what comes out offensive and boorish. I only know him through what he writes here but I'm sure he runs a tight ship and wouldn't hesitate to work and learn under him.

As for me I'm not ready to be anyone's mentor. I haven't the patients or knowlege yet......but getting there:D

[mrs. westcoast]

Thank you all for sharing..

Now Rick,Adam,Mark,plumdog,duckbutter, let's go...


:):):)

[garager]

Wow, this is where you get to know people....
Thanks PC....
I didn't have a role model either, when I was growing up. I was too doped up to even think about a role model. Started real early in life, then the day my dad had to read me my rights was the day I woke up. Spent some time in jail, had a lot of thinking to do. So in my case not so much of a role model but a change in my life. Stopped taking drugs some 20 yrs ago after being on many stuff for about 12 yrs.
I think I can credit my father for my calmness and level headed these days. My brother in law taught me the working aspect of life, and I thank him for that.
My wife, who is just incredible, she has been there with me through thick and thin. Just like she is right now, with the smoking change.
I always wanted to have my own business, even though it is considered small, its all mine and it'll be 20 yrs pretty soon.
I made my own path, I would have to say but there were quite a few obstacles along the way.

[drtyhands]

Thank you all for sharing..

Now Rick,Adam,Mark,plumdog,duckbutter, let's go...


:):):)

OOOHHHH,I see how it is.A little favoritism towards ROBBIE?
Don't forget to remind POOKIE to put sunscreen on his pretty unprotected head today:eek::p:D


Forget the song and dance about the parents,all I can say is it is a phenominon How for some people they can go from All about me parent to All About me adult-child overnight.So the good lord blesses some with challenge,and as I can tell those same some(sounds like a Neil Diamond song) have turned out alot stronger and here on the forum with us.

I can only say with all my heart that I am thankfull to the people that made an immpression on me to emulate the qualities that I admired in them.

And that goes for my fellow forum members.This forum has changed my outlook on my future in the industry.It has broadend my information network which words fail me to describe.It has strengthend my desire to hold integrity.Thank-you all:)

No need for much more,the rest is babble.But this is pretty much the core for me.

[Aaron91]

Who is/was your role model now or when you were growing up?

I don't really have a role model currently, but many who I look up too greatly and admire the time I spend talking/chatting with them, even if it is only a brief period of time.

Growing up, well lol I still am, but I'd have to say have my grandfather and my dad. My grandfather was a carpenter and worked countless years in a steel mill(Pittsburgh, PA) and my dad just has a mass amount of knowledge across the board for construction, and owned his own home inspection business.

Who do you look up too?

I look up to pretty much anyone who turns a wrench for a living, and anyone that gives respect to others and has class to them. Also EMTs and Fire Fighters hands down. They have to see people in the sometimes the worst possible situations and work their hardest and hopefully turn that situation around.

Who did you wanted to be like? **want**

Um I guess you could say my first boss. He was like me, dropped out young, and really made something of himself. He pushed me, at times to work 80 hours a week, then I hated it, now I can't thank him enough for it. He pushed me to further my education in plumbing, and I took his advice and now am going for my GED(waiting on test date currently) then applying for my local plumbers union.


Why is/are they your role model?

He is/was my role model due to like I just said, he dropped out young and really made something of himself, and showed me I can do the same.

Do you think you changed in some period in your life and become your role model?

I guess you could say so. He'd give me positive talks(sometimes it's the only thing that kept me going), and now I do the same to others.

[mrs. westcoast]

[quote=Aaron91;91628]
Who did you wanted to be like? **want**




Engleski mi nije prvi jezik

English isn't my primary language

[res057]

[QUOTE=mrs. westcoast;91637
Engleski mi nije prvi jezik
English isn't my primary language[/QUOTE]

I think you're doing great. Much better than a large number of people who were born here.

[Aaron91]

O sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean it in a negative way.

[mrs. westcoast]

O sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean it in a negative way.

You didn't offended me Aaron.

I was just kidding:):)

[ToUtahNow]

Zeljka,

Had you asked me the question at 24-years old it would have been easy as my exposure to others was some what limited. However, now at 54-years old I think it is more about who has influenced my life then who was my role-model. My parents are probably a shoe-in as role models as they raised me. Brenda is the one I admire the most because of her motherly compassion and strength. Someday when we have more time I will tell you the story about her breaking up a fight she saw while driving down the street between a 50-year old man with a bat and a couple of High School kids.

Now getting into who has influenced me I would have to say everyone I have ever met (including you guys). I am just as thankful for those who I saw as positive influences as I am those I saw as a negative influence (sorry Rick)…..(just kidding). I believe we take a little piece of everyone we meet with us and that’s what makes us who we are. I also believe we should leave a little of who we are with everyone we meet.

Sometimes we have things happen which we may let go by if we are not paying attention. As some may know I ended up in a wheel chair for six months after a bad ladder accident. I had a broken leg and shoulder so even maneuvering the wheel chair was tough. One weekend I attended a rally for my motorcycle club which was held at the Airport Radisson in Santa Maria which just happened to be hosting a “War Birds” air show the same weekend. The place was full of excitement and a mix of leather clad bikers and WWII Veterans in their original uniforms.

When I left the party that night I needed to take the elevator upstairs to get to my room. Brenda was still visiting with our friends and their new baby so I braved it on my own. I sat there wondering how I was going to make it to my room while I waited for the elevator. When the doors to the elevators opened I was staring eye-to-eye with two of the original Tuskegee Airman. They exited the elevator and pushed me in then made sure I made it to my room. I was truly humbled at that fact that these men who suffered through such adversity to accomplish such greatness would take the time to help someone they did not know. I did not know these men but I knew enough about their story to know nothing I could ever have happen to me would match what they had to endure yet they achieved greatness to a magnitude most of us will never understand.

Mark

[PLUMBER RICK]

I'd have to say Rick-----just kidding, I'm sorry Rick, I couldn't resist. Seriously, I've always looked at people and their qualities and tried to emulate the qualities and not the person.
And of course Mark who is the eternal diplomat here. Garager who after 31

And Rick who knows having the right tool for the job and charging a fair price for using it can earn respect and loyalty from your customer base.


And that goes for my fellow forum members.This forum has changed my outlook on my future in the industry.It has broadend my information network which words fail me to describe.It has strengthend my desire to hold integrity.Thank-you all:)



Now getting into who has influenced me I would have to say everyone I have ever met (including you guys). I am just as thankful for those who I saw as positive influences as I am those I saw as a negative influence (sorry Rick)…..(just kidding).
Mark

i guess it's a love, hate relationship here:confused:

they say all publicity is good publicity:D

now that i see what is going on here and from last nights chat, i will have to rethink my response.

well there's still freddy and tieger to break the tie:eek:

josh, help me;)


rick.

[DuckButter]

Chris Gardner

Do a websearch if you don't know who he is.
I admit he is a recent role model to me, but knowing his story puts my worst day to shame.
(Plumberscrack...there)

[plumberscrack]

Chris Gardner

Do a websearch if you don't know who he is.
I admit he is a recent role model to me, but knowing his story puts my worst day to shame.
(Plumberscrack...there)

I had never heard of him before the Will Smith and Thandie Newton :love2: movie....good choice :)

[MrsSeatDown]

I went to a conference where he spoke. He is an amazing speaker, very personable.

[Frankiarmz]

My role models have been a combination of men I wanted to be like and men I wanted to be nothing like. I took things like being a faithful husband and caring father from my Dad and after watching some of my cousins ruin their lives over drugs avoided that element in my life. As I got to be around more grown men through my work I took the good stuff like being alert in what I did, watching out for the safety of others and always offering to help even if I was finished with my specific task. I avoided the pitfalls of drinking and hurting myself or anybody else. I wouldn't call actors role models but they do say some useful stuff. When CLint Eastwood as Dirty Harry said " A Man's Got To Know His Limitations", I understood that while I could admire the bravery of certain men such as Firefighters and Policemen, sometimes just being the best person you can be is enough to those around you. Like it or not we are all role models to someone, people observe our behavior and they either take a part of it for themselves or hope to avoid some part of it. I think it's easier nowadays to be a good person. We have plenty of tv shows, personalities, books and movies telling us how to be good parents, husbands, co-workers. We can't play stupid and say we didn't know any better, so I'm doing my best to catch myself when ever I can and be a good role model.:)