The Barrier to Success

— 3 minute read

Back in 2017, I was in a hard place. I was working 2nd shift as a janitor at my local hospital. The mornings before work I was getting up at 7am driving my wife to work coming home and taking care of the dogs and my son. Then picking up my wife, racing her back home throwing together a "LUNCH" and getting to work for my 3-11:30pm shift and getting home around midnight. Working holidays, and overtime to make sure my family had enough.

During these long days and shifts at work I had deep thoughts about if I was to do this job for the rest of my life, would I be content with myself (A scary thing to think about for to long).

I had a college degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, not a lot of jobs in my area unless I wanted to go into defense contracting. I could start my guitar effects company out of my garage (Expensive start up costs), I could do something else or the chilling option of staying a hospital janitor til the end of my career.

As grueling as this schedule was it gave me a leg up. I would listen to podcasts. Podcasts like The CodeNewbie Podcast, Shop Talk Show, and many more.

Harley Finkelstein mentions on his episode of the The Knowledge Project Podcast, that the garment district in Montreal got started because its low barrier to entry.

I made the decision to do the lowest barrier entry thing I could. I needed a laptop, decent internet and a kitchen table.

Making my career decision to have the lowest barrier to entry with the reward of life changing outcomes for my family.

Give me an laptop, decent internet and a place to sit. My current desk setup is my reminder to myself that I don't need a fancy place to do good work.

You bet I will outwork those trying to take shortcuts. Today the Laptop is the modern day sewing machine. You can create the future for your family and generations to come with a single machine. Pretty powerful stuff.

What's the lowest barrier of entry thing you can do today to make tomorrow better? Go Do That.