As a master electrician I've learned over the years that there is always someone out there who is better than me. There will always be an older guy that's been doing this longer and that has a different way of thinking. Every person has a different perspective and has had different experiences.

When I was a young apprentice electrician I was very quick to cut people off in the middle of their explanations to me. I wanted them to know that I already knew what they were telling me and I wanted to prove to them how "good" I was. It was a very egotistical thing to do but I needed validation that I was good because I really thought I was better than I was.

It wasn't until being in this for a few years, and being humbly knowledge-beaten down by some guys and girls that have known far more than me, that finally forced me to stop talking about how much I know and how good I am...and just be good and let the work show for itself how good I was.

I see a lot of younger people these days that do this. They want so badly to be instantaneously good at something, and they don't see that it takes YEARS of everyday dedication to a craft to become good. They lack patience, and they try to make up for the fact that they really kinda suck at something...but telling people how amazing they are.

I put it like this. You can watch Stevie Ray Vaughan or Derek Trucks play guitar. You can watch Danny Carey drum. None of these guys have to say a word. Their artisan-ship with their craft stands alone without words needing to be exchanged. They don't sit on stage and profess how awesome they are. You just know they're awesome when they play that first note.

Nowadays I try to go about life as a student. Even as a Master Electrician working under another Master, I defer to the roll of a student. I have nothing to prove to anyone anymore. I want the knowledge. I want to be that hobbly old 70 year old badass electrician that can solve problems before getting out of his work truck. I want to be that electrician that has so much experience that people know my skill level because it bleeds out of me when I strap my tools on. I've learned to shut up and listen.