Always Be Ready
This weekend I was at my local music studio's jam/recital for their students. I also teach there on the weekends, and I had a few of my students performing. It was awesome and I was so proud of my students. It was truly an amazing experience watching them deal with fear and being nervous, then getting up on stage and rocking it.
When the instructors got together some weeks before to plan the event, I volunteered my making skills to print a student of the year award. I thought i could 3D Print it, but my printer decided to act up and I had to make the award out of wood and paper. The award turned out great and everyone was happy with it, so that was a win going into the weekend.
We set up Saturday, and while we were setting up the drums, we realized we didn't have the key for the frame that the drums were attatched to, I promtply grabbed my leather briefcase and pulled out the tool kit I always carry and combed through it looking for that particular socket. Unfortunately I didn't have it with me, but I had a chance to redeem myself with the leatherman that also lives in my bag. A mic stand's star nut did not want to let go, so I pulled out the pliers and was able to make it work.
Along comes Sunday, While each student was tuning and getting their instruments and music in order, the owner of the studio calls me up on stage and asks, "Do you have your toolkit with you?" I smiled as I went to grab it, found the right allen size for the locking nut on the guitar and was able to help out the student.
While maybe that wasn't the best, or most exciting act of problem solving, it never hurts to be ready with solutions to problems. Always have some tools with you, even if it is just one or two that you are good with.
When people know you are a problem solver, they will bring you problems. Is there a happier place as a maker?