At Your Best as an Electrician

1. Embrace the Skilled Trades as a Path to the American Dream

The American Dream is still very much alive and going strong. However, I also believe that most people may not know how to put together a plan and then execute it to get themselves on the path to fulfilling their own American Dream.

The skills gap presents opportunity. With over 6.5 million unfilled positions in the Skilled Trades, there is a significant opportunity for those willing to develop the necessary skills and attitude. This gap is expected to widen, creating even more demand for skilled workers.

Skilled Trades offer stability and growth. Careers in the Skilled Trades provide:

• Well-paying, fulfilling positions
• Job security due to constant demand
• Opportunity for career advancement
• Potential for entrepreneurship and business ownership

By pursuing a career in the Skilled Trades, individuals can build a secure, comfortable, middle-class income and future-proof their lives and those of their families.

2. Develop a Craftsman Mindset with the 3P+A Framework

Only you can control your effort and your attitude—no matter what comes.

The 3P+A framework is essential. To excel in the Skilled Trades, focus on:

• People: Build strong relationships and communicate effectively
• Performance: Deliver high-quality work consistently
• Professionalism: Maintain integrity and meet commitments
• Attitude: Maintain a positive, proactive, can-do attitude

Embrace continuous improvement. Adopt a Craftsman mindset by:

• Taking pride in your competence
• Seeking out opportunities to learn and grow
• Delivering the highest quality work product possible
• Differentiating yourself through superior performance and attitude

By consistently applying the 3P+A framework, you'll become a highly valued employee and set yourself apart from the competition.

3. Navigate the Stages of an Electrician's Career

Success in the Skilled Trades demands that you build a strong foundation with a solid education.

Understand the career progression. An electrician's career typically follows these stages:

1. Electrician's Helper/Trainee/Pre-Apprentice
2. Vocational Education/Electrician Apprentice
3. Journeyman
4. "Master Electrician"

Build a solid foundation. To succeed as an electrician:

• Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent
• Develop strong math and reading comprehension skills
• Consider vocational education or community college programs
• Complete an apprenticeship program (typically 3-4 years)
• Pursue necessary licenses and certifications

By understanding and preparing for each stage, you can strategically plan your career advancement and maximize your earning potential.

4. Leverage Resources to Find Work and Build Your Skills

Your full-time job is to find a full-time job.

Utilize available resources. To find work and enhance your skills:

• Use www.CareerOneStop.org for job listings, salary information, and training resources
• Visit local American Job Centers for personalized assistance
• Explore apprenticeship opportunities through unions and trade associations
• Take advantage of the GI Bill for education benefits (if applicable)
• Use online platforms like YouTube for supplementary learning

Network effectively. Identify and leverage "force multipliers":

• Former employers and mentors
• Hardware and equipment vendors
• Top realtors and architecture firms in your community
• Leaders in local trade associations

By actively seeking out opportunities and building a strong network, you can accelerate your career growth and open doors to new possibilities.

5. Excel as an Employee by Mastering the 3P+A in Action

Activity for activity's sake is not doing your job well. Experience the phenomenal feeling of completing a job well done. Make it a habit.

People skills are crucial. To excel:

• Be a team player
• Understand your boss's expectations
• Respect everyone you encounter

Deliver exceptional performance. Stand out by:

• Being proactive and taking initiative
• Solving problems effectively
• Being reliable and dependable
• Taking pride in your competence

Maintain professionalism. Focus on:

• Creating value in all that you do
• Taking responsibility without excuses
• Avoiding drama and special treatment

Cultivate a positive attitude. Always:

• Be a can-do person
• Execute as if it's your dream job
• Leave your ego behind and remain humble

By consistently applying these principles, you'll become an indispensable employee and set the stage for future success.

6. Launch Your Own Business: You, Inc.

It all starts and ends with You, Inc.'s customers.

Prepare thoroughly. Before launching:

• Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
• Develop a Go-to-Market Plan covering core business strategy, timing & action plan, and projected financials
• Establish your market positioning
• Identify quick wins to build momentum

Focus on financials. Remember:

• Cash is life for You, Inc.
• Create realistic sales forecasts and expense budgets
• Understand your startup financial needs
• Consider financing options (self-financing, debt, or equity)

Set up proper infrastructure. Establish:

• Necessary licenses and permits
• Business bank accounts
• Appropriate legal structure (e.g., LLC)
• Basic back-office systems

By thoroughly planning and setting a solid foundation, you'll increase your chances of long-term success as a small business owner.

7. Implement Effective Business Strategies for Growth and Success

Nothing will differentiate You, Inc. more clearly from all your competition than if You, Inc. consistently delivers excellent customer service.

Prioritize customer service. Follow the three "secret rules" from Raving Fans:

1. Decide on what you want (your vision of excellent service)
2. Discover what the customer wants
3. Deliver the vision plus 1 percent

Embrace sales and marketing. As the CEO and VP of Sales:

• Develop and practice your elevator pitch
• Actively seek new business opportunities
• Encourage customer reviews on platforms like Angie's List and Home Advisor

Utilize technology. Leverage tools for:

• Finance and accounting (e.g., QuickBooks, FreshBooks)
• Time tracking and billing
• Job estimating
• Managing payments
• Personal organization

By focusing on customer service, actively pursuing sales, and leveraging technology, you can differentiate You, Inc. and drive growth.

8. Lead and Manage Your Small Business Team

Among the most important decisions you will ever make on behalf of You, Inc. will be those associates you hire to join the You, Inc. team.

Hire strategically. When building your team:

• Take time to find the best candidates
• Look for both technical skills and soft skills (3P+A)
• Don't settle for mediocrity

Lead effectively. Apply principles from Extreme Ownership:

• Take responsibility for team performance
• Believe in and communicate your vision
• Check your ego and remain humble
• Promote teamwork over individual performance
• Communicate clearly and simply
• Prioritize and address problems systematically
• Lead decisively, even in uncertain situations
• Balance various leadership qualities (e.g., aggressive but not overbearing, confident but humble)

By hiring the right people and leading effectively, you can build a high-performing team that drives You, Inc.'s success.

9. Continuously Improve through Regular Review and Adaptation

"Halftime" for You, Inc. is any time you can spend considering which aspects of the business need attention and improvement.

Conduct regular reviews. Assess:

• Customer satisfaction and referral sources
• Financial position and projections
• Marketing effectiveness
• Relationships with force multipliers
• Team performance and needs
• Your leadership effectiveness

Use the SWOT analysis tool. Regularly evaluate:

• Strengths: What advantages does You, Inc. have?
• Weaknesses: What areas need improvement?
• Opportunities: What external factors can You, Inc. capitalize on?
• Threats: What external challenges does You, Inc. face?

Manage time effectively. Use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix to prioritize tasks:

1. Important and Urgent: Do immediately
2. Important but Not Urgent: Schedule time for these
3. Not Important but Urgent: Delegate if possible
4. Not Important and Not Urgent: Eliminate or minimize

By consistently reviewing your business, adapting to challenges, and managing your time effectively, you can ensure You, Inc.'s continued growth and success in the ever-changing Skilled Trades landscape.

Last updated: July 30, 2024