Don't use the big hammer

Shortly after Christmas, just as the cold snap was about to hit, the glass in my trusty wood burner stove decided it would be a good time to crack. I am not renowned for my DIY skills but, determined to rectify the problem, I took on the task of sorting it out.

Ordering the glass was simple enough. All that was required was an online purchase and a little faith in Yodal not to damage it in transit. But replacing it, well, that was a little more challenging.

The stove is old, the screws and clips holding the glass in were eroded, and my extensive toolbox containing 3 hammers, a couple of Philips screwdrivers and a tape measure just did not work. I should have known this would end badly when I resorted to a big hammer to "fix" the problem. It would have also been fair to say I didn't have a clue what I was doing.

I damaged the screw holes, bent some clips and generally made a bit of a pig's ear of the job. I simply did not have the right tools or capabilities.

So what has my knackered stove glass got to do with you?

Well, when it comes to fixing problems in our lives, we can often resort to our version of a big hammer and some positive thinking to "sort it" despite having limited capabilities. And just like my stove, this usually results in a less-than-satisfactory outcome.

Our big hammers can mess up anything from a stove to a relationship, our health to our career, all because we thought we could "sort it" with the tools and capabilities we have.

Most people never get where they want to be, not because they don't have the desire, it's because they don't have the capability and the tools.

No amount of positive thinking, motivational BS or quotes by Confucius would help me fix my glass, which required a trip to B&Q for a special screwdriver and 10 minutes of watching a YouTube video showing me how to use it.

Once I had the right tools and capabilities, the glass was replaced, and my wood burner is now back to heating our living room and making the place feel cosy.

So, the moral of this story is that it can be tempting to get our big hammer out and give something a go, but as noble as that attitude is, it can make things a lot worse. The smart move is to step back, recognise what tools and capabilities are needed, and, if you don't have them, get them.

Take Care

GB