The other day, my dishwasher stopped working.

So I grabbed the toolbox, unloaded the crusty plates & bowls, rolled up my sleeves, lowered myself onto my hands & knees and got to work.

When Lauren saw what was going on, she plopped herself on a chair and settled in with a box of popcorn. General maintenance and DIY at Casa Grundy is, at the most, an annual event – so worth pulling up a pew while she had the chance.

And I’m glad she did.

Because as I peered into the dark recesses of the draining unit and struggled to see the screws, Lauren made a suggestion:

I could use my iPhone as a torch, place it on the top shelf of the dishwasher and illuminate everything inside.

It was a brilliant idea. The light from the iPhone was just right. 

In some ways, the iPhone was the perfect tool for the job.

Better than a torch, as the iPhone fit snugly on the top shelf with the light shining down into the dishwasher.

Much better than the light in the kitchen which didn’t reach the back of the dishwasher.

And categorically better than a screwdriver or a hammer which don’t even light up!

Goes to show:

Not all tools are relevant for all jobs.

And yet, when it comes to our thoughts, sometimes we forget this.

See, our thoughts are tools too.

They’re ways for us to create, to reflect and to solve problems.

But most of the time, our thoughts simply aren’t relevant.  They’re not the right tool, in the right moment, for the right job.

It’s taken me a long time to see this. 

I never saw thoughts as tools to be used when needed.

I didn’t even see them as tools.  I saw them as objects I had no choice but do something about.

Kind of like grabbing a hammer from my toolbox, then looking round for things to start hammering.

Or taking a screwdriver, wondering why it wasn’t illuminating, then spending months analysing the screwdriver to find out what was wrong with it.

Or even gripping hold of a pair of pliers and wondering what they meant about me.  Then taking another tool – like a chisel – and using the chisel to help me examine the pliers!

Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

But this was precisely how I used my thoughts.

Nowadays, more & more, I use a thought just like I use a hammer or a screwdriver. 

I pick it up if it’s the right tool for the job.  If it’s not, I try to let it pass.  I know that the “thought toolbox” is infinite, and the right thought for the job will be along soon.

All of which prompts the question:

How do you know if a thought is the right thought for the job?

Well, that’s a bit like asking how do you know if a screwdriver is the right screwdriver for the job.

Sometimes you just know. It’s obvious.

Other times you can try it and see if it works. 

It really doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

Moving swiftly on:

Another tool you might want to consider for your toolbox?

Coaching.

In the right moment and for the right job, coaching can be the perfect tool.

If you want to read more about the sorts of projects, pursuits, challenges & endeavours where working with a coach can help you thrive:

https://waitinglist.followingfulfilment.com

That’s all for today.

 - Tom

p.s. does anyone know a good plumber?