From tiny house to two-story

It’s tradition around here for the post before Christmas to step back and consider broader themes of a fulfilling life.

This edition is a sequel to the story I shared in last year’s holiday edition. Do you remember the three Haitian brothers who landed in a tiny house on someone’s property in my neighborhood?

Well, it has been a big year for them – they no longer need rides to work, because Jean and Claude got their driver's licenses! And here they are in the very nice two-story home they are renting themselves just a couple blocks away.

Jean and his wife Rose also welcomed a second daughter to the world last summer!

The brothers still work four days a week at the manufacturing plant. Claude and Ludovic took on a second job – after they finish their 10-hour factory shifts, they work evenings at a fast casual restaurant, and again for two full shifts on their “days off.”

I hesitate to draw lessons from this family’s experience, knowing everyone’s circumstances are different. And I know that today’s inflated real estate prices and other rising expenses make the future intimidating for many. But I only know one way to face uncertainty: Choose the best path you can, put your head down and embrace the grind. That’s what this family did. And that’s what I see successful PR pros at every career stage doing.

Yes, some people may win because of privilege or lucky breaks. But that doesn’t need to affect you. Ignore that, focus on yourself and look for ways to work smarter and harder.

You don’t have to do it alone. Find people who can be your “ride to work” until you’re ready to drive yourself.

And someday you’ll decorate your own version of that first Christmas tree in your own “two-story home.”