FITTING THOUGHT 1
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Where is your business – and your life – heading?
By
Tanya Olckers, Writer
I was talking to someone recently about‘ course correction’.
I can’ t remember how the topic came up, but we eventually landed on a discussion about massive ocean liners or cargo ships that have to make a U-turn or course change while out at sea. One of those vessels must make a wide loop in order to change direction, and that takes time. It may seem to everyone on the ship that nothing is happening, or even that the ship might be going the wrong way, but eventually, it is back on track or on a new trajectory.
It’ s the same with the things we want to change in our lives. A course correction takes time, some manoeuvring and a sprinkling of worry about whether anything is actually happening or not. Whether it’ s business or personal, changing direction is going to take patience and some elbow grease to see the results.
If you’ re not happy with where you are heading, change course. Maybe it’ s a tiny change by just a few degrees. Maybe it’ s a full 180-degree pivot. It’ s going to be scary and quite likely frustrating, but it can be done.
Lindelwa Sithole, our featured BluLever woman on site, experienced this change of course when she realised that becoming a plumber was an option for women, not just men. She went through the gruelling programme and emerged with a rewarding career.
We see more plumbers adding to their skill set through further study so that they can also provide solar and heat pump installations to client. These products are far more in demand, and our feature takes a look at everything you wanted to know about solar-thermal – but were too afraid to ask.
Coach Craig takes a look at ways to improve your moneymaking skills, which is a valuable tool to have when you are running your own business.
While we are on the topic of change, the seasonal changes are upon us as well, with a move from autumn into winter. Chris Coetzee’ s article looks at staying safe in all kinds of weather.
Perhaps some of the most meaningful course corrections we can make are the ones that help others in some way. Maybe it helps them become better plumbers or to figure out where they have made mistakes. Our Can You Fix It feature provides just that kind of opportunity, with a submission from Eric Gayiya, who not only shows us what was wrong with a geyser installation but provides insight into how it might actually be fixed.
With the many opportunities for learning provided by IOPSA and PIRB, there are so many chances to change course and head towards growth, experience and business success. If we choose to simply accept things as they are and never make a change, we will be stuck exactly where we are. Movement creates growth. Keep moving. Change course. PA
Tanya
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May 2025 Volume 31 I Number 03 www. plumbingafrica. co. za