Top 6 Traits of Highly Successful Trades Contractors

This advice isn't just for the trades. It's for life. This is good wisdom.

Dear Mr Wadsworth, my name is Alex and I wanted to say thank you for your encouraging and inspiring words and videos. I am 43 years old and I have two jobs. I do carpentry and light construction and I am a firefighter. I find myself taking words from your videos and using them to be better, in both of my professions. Just a few day ago I had an interview for a promotion and I used a few of your inspiring words to answer a few of the questions I was asked in said interview I'm proud to tell you after 13 years of being a firefighter and 9 years of grinding and staying hungry and taking promotional exams I am the newest Lieutenant on the fire department that I work for. Thank you again Mr Wadsworth for your inspiring videos "and keep up the good work"

"If you're not 10 minutes early you're late". That was drilled into me as a kid and has stuck with me now into my late 30's. That and "if you don't know, ask someone", " whether you're the prime minister or a bus boy in a diner, take pride in your work and put in an honest day" are the main things I learned from my parents that have served me well through my career in the trades.

Excellent advice. I'm a retired laborer, then Carpenter then Supt then PM. Communication is key. Poor communicators are always held back. Always. Or they don't last long. Problem solving ability should have been mentioned. Its an attitude where you never throw up your hands but move forward dealing with things as they are and to put the train back on the track or even improve where things are going ok. Keeping emotional control is another one you should add. I had a few significant failures there that I wince about still. A calm mind and controlled emotions are key. Thanks for the post. Old school is still the best school.

It’s remarkable how far you can get in construction simply by showing up

I am 41 and back during covid I was terminated from a job and corporate career that I had worked in for more than 15 years. Over 15 years I began to resent my decision to get a cush office job. I decided to turn the termination into an opportunity to go into the trades. 4 years later I'm a successful roofing contractor who is very gratified in my work. I appreciate the old school man of integrity way you conduct yourself and teach others to be. If I can reflect you when I am your age, I will be very pleased.

It amazes me how learned you are with quotes from the past and how you always have one for every situation. I respect that

I don't remember where I heard this, but I think it is good advice. "It is better to be thought of as a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Really respect your wisdom. I watch with my 14 year old son. Not only is it important to learn a trade, but also how to be a decent young man in a profane world. Thank you.

Thank you. I’m 61 and need to hear this again and again. Helps keep us balanced. But today’s young generation needs to hear it, starting in junior high.!

That comment on waiting to be your own boss came at such the perfect moment in my career. Thanks! I could go on... But let's just say you're a treasure of a man. I owe you about a thousand more of these.

Happy Birthday, Scott. My 67 is coming up soon. Nothing earth shattering here, just good, solid, sage advice. Some of this my dad tried to teach me. But I was too smart to listen. Some of this I learned too late to have much impact on my working life, but any improvement at any time is a positive step. Knowledge and wisdom are the most important things to pass to the next generation and doesn't cost a penny to do so. Your presentation here was clear, well said, and on point. Thank you.

I could tell a hundred stories from my past that solidify these points. Now I'm watching my own son, running his own business, learning how these things play out in real life. Thanks for sharing. I hope the younger folks listen!

It's so refreshing to hear a master craftsman speak to attitudes. Your advice applies across the spectrum of job skills. Great message to ALL who want a career, not just a job.

These insights can give a guy such an improvement in their work and character. Thank you

I felt for you digging in the mud. To save on rent money, I dug a very long ditch about 3 ft deep connecting 2 houses, about 90ft. Ditch kept filling with water everytime it rained but I was commited and was short on rent. No whining, just did what it took. That's what we all need to do, whatever it takes.

Not in The Trades, and retired from Nursing a few years ago (but Nursing is a soft trade if there is such a category). Regardless, your wise words resonated with me - I even took notes - thank you for sharing these. 👍💕

Happy belated birthday Scott. 66 here as well, and started out as a Bricklayer in 1979. 40+ years and now a CM for the last 20 years. Planned on retiring in May but they talked me into staying another year to finish the 6 projects currently started. CEO said he was worried about "replacing the knowledge". Made me proud and the result of the years we have put in to learn our trades. Fitting with your wisdom for the young. Keep up the good work.

I really appreciated this video, very good points, especially on word choice. We indeed are living in a profane world. Profanity can hide ones intelligence and value by turning off those around them. Its very saddening to see the potential in what the individual is trying to express but then is muddied by their words. If only they chose better words. Thank you for the video. Good points to keep at the forefront of our minds. It's a good daily exercise.

"Great followers become great leaders." That incredible