“Why is there so much water on our bathroom floor?” I remember screaming as I stood in the gallons of water sloshing over my feet at 5:30 that morning.
A loose valve had sent the water gushing throughout our bathroom, bedroom, and surrounding closet. This forced splash, so to speak, into home renovation also coincided with the introductory stages of remodeling at the library where I work.
We are anticipating our major renovation to our community branch in August when we receive an updated computer lab, new conference room, and more modern and compact seating for customers. 
Our branch’s renovation is already underway. We have received beautiful new office furniture to allow for a more compact space to organize our paperwork and supplies, and this is just the start to our improvements.
While exciting, the period of renovation can also be an extremely daunting and exhausting one, particularly if you are thrust into it so unexpectedly. Renovation is often referred to as a physical change, involving demolition and new construction, but there is also the renovation associated with the introduction of a major change to a program or service.
How can I best embrace renovations on the home front while our major renovation project at work is well underway? I’m trying to hold fast to these three principles I have learned as we work through this process.
1. Remember the end result! Sure, the present time might be chaotic and messy, but this is only the here and now. We are working toward a goal and a much better end result, or we would have chosen not to renovate at all in the first place! I must remember that the work required through this process will only help us develop the outcome we need. All the hard work is well worth it!
2. Perfection is impossible, but an exceptional product is well within reach. There may be financial, technological, and time restrictions that prevent us from seeing all our first choices through to fruition. Numerous elements of these upgrades, however, are noteworthy in and of themselves. When we realize that a perfect program, service, or home remodel is not within reach, but an exceptional end result is an attainable goal, we will succeed in upgrading the overall outcome of all our efforts . . . and that, by itself, is nothing to minimize.
3. Embrace the chaos, as much as you can. No matter how well organized I was during our office remodel when we received our new staff furniture — and that period only lasted 4 working days — I was missing supplies I needed to complete my daily work. My tried and true items were stored away in boxes even though I had organized those boxes with the most important supplies on top! No matter how much you plan, flexibility is the key. I am working to roll with the punches during this busy and exciting period at work — and at home.
These points hit the nail on the head when dealing with a building makeover, but they can also be applied when introducing or embracing any professional or personal change.
What renovations or changes are you experiencing at work, and how have you successfully dealt with this change? Please share in the comments below!
Phoenix Remodeling
You are right, remodels can be messy, stressful, and chaotic. But they don’t have to be. Usually when you start the remodel, although you are excited, there is a stress created from the budget, lack of knowledge about the process, and not knowing your contractor.
But if you build a trust, and are forthright with expectations. Remodels can go very smoothly.
I do like your analogy of the personal/professional renovation, that is clever.
Insulation @Calgary
Renovation are always messy. But you have sorted out the whole thing in this single post. The tips shared by you are useful in changing our point of view on renovation. Thank you.