Garage envy

A couple weeks ago I went out to my garage and looked around with intent. The idea was to get a feel for it, understand it and determine if I needed to make a few changes. You see, it's been the same for a long while and after seeing a similar garage at a mate's house (that he's just revamped) I wasn't all that happy with my own. "Garage envy," I think it's called...he has put together a really cool space for his vehicles and other things and mine felt...well, it felt rather fucken shit in comparison.

So, I sat there getting a feel for it, absorbing the mood and tone of it and looking around me trying to determine where I could improve. That's something I do about myself, (self reflect and seek improvement) so why not my garage.

There's not a lot I can do with the vehicles, I mean they sort of dictate how the bulk of the space is used, but on looking around them at shelving, cupboards, workbenches, where the power outlets are and how I've used the available wall-space I began to formulate some ideas about what might need changing, how the change might benefit me and how much time and money the changes would cost. It all comes down to how much value the cost would generate I guess; I'm not one to waste time or money without a solid return.

I drew some plans on paper, called that mate I mentioned and asked a few questions and I think I've got a decent plan that will work which is exciting because I can see some real benefit and having a better scenario will eliminate the slight envy I felt when I saw my mate's garage recently.

I think it's interesting that we move through life generally accepting how things are and how some of those things almost disappear from our radar because that's how they've always been...like a garage situation that isn't really the best it could be. I think a lot of people do the same with themselves: Their development and growth, health, relationships, profession, time spent, future planning and many other things. They "just are" and don't always get our focus when, realistically, those things should be looked at, evaluated and researched with the view to making them better - the continual improvement ethos.

Have you ever come across something in, or about, your life that all of a sudden didn't feel right or you concluded that you could improve? What brought you to the realisation; proactive thought or happenstance? How do you go about understanding and changing it, and what benefits did you gain? Or maybe you're set in your ways and find evaluation and change difficult. Feel free to comment below if you'd like to; I'm quite interested to hear your story.