What I’ve Learned From My Family - Wisler Plumbing & Air

You can’t help but pick up some things from when you’re being raised (and even once you’re older). One of the habits that I’ve picked up from my family is a good work ethic. Our family has always worked hard, and I value the saying that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. When we’re down in a slump, the only thing that I know how to do is double down on work until we can get out of it. Having self-pity and a bad attitude while just complaining definitely isn’t going to help us get out of a slump. Work ethic is highly valued in today’s society, but unfortunately, it’s not as common as most people would like to see.

I’ve also learned that family members hold each other to a higher standard than friends or other people they’ve met. That can be a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing too—family members expect more out of each other and they will sometimes offer less grace or empathy. I think that it’s part of a healthy family, though, because they are there to hold you accountable. When it comes to a family business, I’ve definitely learned that there needs to be clearly defined responsibilities between each family member. This is something that can be easily overlooked. Everyone should know where their responsibility starts and ends.

There’s always a history with family, which can go all the way back across multiple generations. The reality is, you can either complain about it or embrace it. Sometimes that history can lead to baggage, but the most important thing is to understand where it comes from. Make sure not to hold a grudge for things that happened in the past. At the end of the day, you’ve grown up together, lived together, fought together, and cried together. Hopefully those experiences will lead to positive memories.

My brother currently has five children, with the oldest one being nine years old. I’ve learned that I don’t want to have that many kids, because it’s somewhat of a circus at his house. It’s definitely not for me because there’s a lot of pressure and anxiety involved. I’m sure that one day that won’t be the case for him, but that’s the kind of choice that can add years to your life very quickly.

I’ve also come to realize that we don’t value family as much as we should sometimes. The older that I get, the more value I place on my family. It’s just so easy to take family members for granted. Just this week I learned that an uncle of mine found out that he only has months to live due to brain cancer. Things like that can happen so quickly, and when tragedy hits a family, we might start to have regrets. As I’ve watched and learned, just don’t take your family for granted. They might not be there one day, and you’ll wish you had done things differently. Just live each day at a time and make the most out of the time you have.

No matter what challenges come up, you can count on your family. There’s just something about a blood relation that can be significant, but I’ve definitely learned not to abuse that as well. Taking advantage of a family member by not contributing back to the relationship can be damaging. As much as I need my family, they need me too. I have to make sure that our relationship is a two-way street.

Family is an integral part of what it means to be a part of Wisler Plumbing. If you have any questions about what family means to us, contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.