I’m single, which means I’m in charge of all household types of activities. I have a very talented handyman, and even a handywoman, for which I am grateful. However, there are times when I should just be able to figure it out myself.

One of those times was this fall. I couldn’t get my hose to detach from my outside faucet. I tried, and tried, even used a pliers. I had no luck.

So in my wisdom, I said, it’s ok, I tried my best. It’s a older house, so I turned the water off on the pipe that ran to the outside faucet, and thought I’m good.

Then I got to thinking about it – what if there is some water in that pipe still, that I wasn’t able to drain, and it will freeze. So I tried and tried again this weekend, with my little pliers, and it didn’t budge. It was on tight.

I didn’t know what to do. I went into a panic, picturing pipe freezing, big repair, all of it. Then I remembered. I have Settergren’s. Settergren’s is a mainstay hardware store, right in the heart of South Minneapolis.

I ran up to Settergren’s, and there they were Ross and Karl. I think they knew by the look on my face I needed help. I took a picture of the pipe, showed it to them, and shared what was going on. Karl explained the best way to solve this was to get that hose off to make sure that the pipe drained. He assured me I was strong, and to give it another shot.

Then, we figured out I DIDN’T HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF PLIERS – I had the wrong tool. To get the right torque, I needed a bigger pliers. I didn’t know this. Lord help me.

I love Karl.

I got a new pliers, put my strength training into action, and “ta da”, hose detached.

This story has many lessons in it for me, and maybe reminders for you too. Lessons:

1. Faced with a problem? Do you have the right tool?
2. Faced with a problem? Are you talking to the right expert? (I even used AI to research freezing pipes and my hose situation, no mention of finding the right pliers.)
3. Faced with a problem? Are you willing to pay more to get it solved?
4. Faced with a problem? Are you willing to throw some strength into it?

In my life, I get questions from people who want to feel inspired about life, who want to live with intention, more joy, they want to get after creating what they truly desire.

In my coaching and facilitation training and personal development, I have been blessed with being trained by some of the best, Hudson Institute, Coaches Training Institute, HeartMath, Wilson Learning, Franklin Covey, Impact International, Ridge Associates. I have facilitated leadership and team development workshops for thousands of leaders and employees in Fortune 200 companies.

And, what I’ve learned, similar to working with Karl, when working with people, you need the right tool. You need the right questions, exercises, frameworks, systems to wake someone up to what they really want, so much so that they are willing to make different choices.

That’s what I love to do. I love to share the right tool, the right questions, the frameworks, the systems that will help align internal desire + external action to create a spark, a inner spark. I believe the right tools spark the head and heart into action, and I don’t think AI quite has the heart figured out.

If I’m not the right person for the job, I’ll tell you. I know my sweet spot, and have learned the hard way.

Want to learn more about what I do? Check out my Coaching or Retreat pages right here: http://www.jilldianesaunders.com and see if it sounds like you. Note: I love to create Retreats for groups, design is one of my super-powers, and working with a group is inspiring.

I never tell anyone how to change their life or give advice, I serve up the right tools for you to ignite your inner spark, even if it’s been dull for awhile. Do you need a Karl to ignite your inner spark? I’d love to help.

I’d be honored to chat with you if you are at all curious!

Here’s to you finding the right tool too,

Jill