Survival of the Ready

The second type of long day is the one that catches you by surprise. We’ve all had those moments when you look at the clock and wonder why you still have so much to do. It doesn’t matter if the cause was poor planning, over-optimism or just plain bad luck – you still have to finish the job because you’ve got another one scheduled for the next day.
If you’re like me, covering a lot of territory and working in big homes, you’re going to have both kinds of long days. Twice I’ve had work and travel days that went over the 20-hour mark, and I’ve pushed that envelope more times than I care to remember.
Neither type of long day is going to be easy, but you can make both much more manageable by planning ahead and conserving your energy for the long haul.
First things first. The only machine that has to work through the entire install is your own body, so you owe it to yourself to treat it well. A good installer is going to bring along enough food and water to keep the energy level up and thirst satisfied.
If you’re like me, working through a long day hungry or thirsty is just a drag. I’ve done it enough times to know it puts me in a rotten mood, and makes even the simple tasks seem difficult. Neither one of these is conducive to creating perfect countertops.
Working hungry or thirsty can also be a real detriment to the bottom line. My mind doesn’t feel as sharp when my stomach is grumbling or mouth is dry. When you’re trying to measure and cut outlets in expensive, full-height backsplash, the last thing you want is your mind wandering off thinking about a burger and a cold Coke®.
Taking care of your bodily needs allows you to fully concentrate on the task at hand. I’m certain that working on an empty stomach caused some of my errors in the past.
Much of the detail work in a job tends to come toward the end. I’m grumpy and not very detail-oriented when tired and hungry. The last thing I want is to do a sloppy job and then to snap at a client when they call me on it. When I’m fed and watered, I’m on the ball.
Plan to bring food enough in your cooler for at least two meals with you to every install. That way, even if your day goes unexpectedly long, you’ve got plenty of food to get you through. It also allows you to help out a fellow installer who hasn’t planned ahead.
I’m no nutritionist, but from my experience I know the importance of bringing the right type of food along as well as eating it in appropriate amounts at regular intervals. Maybe you’re one of those guys who can sit down to a huge carb-filled lunch, then pop right back up and get to work without feeling groggy and slow. I’m not. Too much food in my stomach means too little brainpower in my head.
I prefer to eat light and often. While I do bring along a sandwich as my main lunch course, I don’t stack it up layer-upon-layer. Some meat and a few veggies on whole-grain bread works out great. Another alternative is to replace the meat with hummus. With only half the protein of meat, it’s got plenty of flavor (especially with garlic) and is better for you.
I also find that snacking on cut vegetables or fruit during the course of the day is a great way to get rid of peaks and valleys in your energy level. Most grocery stores now carry cut and washed vegetables/fruit that fit nicely into a cooler. These are also going to help keep you hydrated as you eat them; bring along some vanilla yogurt to dip the fruit in for a nice snack.
It’s also handy to keep a supply of food in the install truck to dip into if you’ve come unprepared. Dried fruit, nuts and some energy bars keep for a long time in any weather conditions. We inevitably eat them on long rides homes, so I’ve never tested their exact expiration date.
Having plenty to drink is just as important as bringing along enough to eat. I prefer water in the summer and coffee or hot tea in the winter. My fellow installer, Will, and myself also have a huge weak spot for Orangina.
While drinking soda or sport drinks can keep you hydrated, you’re also risking energy peaks and valleys once again. Too much caffeine can have the same effect, so be conscious of your coffee intake.
Large water dispensers are cheap and pretty easy to keep filled from the faucet. Tap water is also turning out to be more eco-friendly than bottled water, and I won’t be surprised the first time I see a sign at a jobsite that says No Cigarettes or Bottled Water. By adding a decent amount of ice at the beginning, you can also keep the water refreshing for most, if not all, of a hot day.
For hot drinks, I highly recommend the classic green Stanley® vacuum bottle. With a stainless-steel liner and metal casing, the thing is virtually indestructible. And, it will easily keep your coffee hot for 12-plus hours. I’ve only had two in my 14 years in the stone industry, and would still just have the one had I not lost the top.
All that being said, there’s nothing like a Snickers® or some other chocolate bar to get you past a lull. Dark chocolate has much more caffeine in it than milk chocolate, so buy the dark stuff for true energy enhancement.
A headache or upset stomach is another issue that can make a long day seem unbearable. In addition to your first-aid kit, it’s wise to carry along a full contingent of pain and gastrointestinal meds. If one of your guys has allergies, you may want to carry some over-the-counter solutions as well. If it can help them or you get through the day, it was a wise investment.
When the food and water needs of your body are taken care of, you can next turn your attention to another issue that can make or break a long day: attitude. The best way to keep a good attitude during a long day is to be prepared for it.
If there’s an install that you know is going to be a long one, let your installers know as far in advance as possible. That way they can plan ahead for child-care needs and other time-sensitive concerns. You may also have to remind them that it’s coming up as the day approaches.
For the surprisingly long day, you may have to be apologetic but, at the same time, firm. It’s no fun that the hours are stacking up, and you can be gracious about that. But at the same time, a long day is part of the deal. The less they whine about it, the quicker the job will get done.
If you’ve decided the job is going to get done that day, present that as the only option, even if you’re able to return the next day. At the first hint your installers get that they may be able to make it into a two-day install, their attitude will go straight downhill.
Whatever you do, don’t give in to a bad attitude about a long day. I’m not much of a “suck it up” kind of guy, but when it comes to a long day I don’t want to hear about it. I’m there working too, and you don’t hear me complaining.
After the job is completed, you still may be facing a long ride home. Take care to alternate drivers and keep each other awake. Stop and walk around whenever you need to in order to wake back up. Better to take a longer time to get home than to not get home at all.
Finally, make sure you and your installers call home to let families know you’ll be late. Apologize to your spouse or partner for not being home to enjoy that lovely meal. Then, turn off your phone. The last thing you need on a long day is that distraction.
Jason Nottestad, a 13-year stone-industry veteran, is co-owner of Wisconsin-based Midwest Template Services.