Alright, folks, sit down, grab a coffee, and buckle up because I’m about to drop some life-changing wisdom—three lessons gleaned from 30 years of scrubbing glass and building a life I freaking love. These aren’t just business tips; they’re life hacks that anyone can use to get ahead, no matter what you do. You ready for this? Good. Let’s roll.
1. Love What You Freakin’ Do
Here’s the deal—if you hate what you do every day, you’re digging yourself a hole. Listen, work is hard enough; why would you choose something you don’t enjoy? The secret sauce to loving life (and fattening up your bank account) is to truly love your craft. When you wake up excited about your day, it’s not work anymore—it’s passion. Trust me, people notice.
I’m talking clients, employees, neighbors—they all feel your energy. If it’s positive, guess what comes flying back at you? More positivity. When I clean a window, it’s not just about making the glass shine. It’s about giving someone a clearer view of their world. That little moment of joy I see when they look out a streak-free window? Priceless. Plus, when you give a crap about your work, the dough usually follows.
Think about it—if you’re having fun, doing a killer job, and showing up like a boss every day, doesn’t it make sense that people will want to work with you? Heck yeah, it does. Loving what you do sets the whole thing in motion. Find your spark, fan that flame, and watch the magic happen.
2. Discipline—The Unsexy Key to Success
Look, I get it. Discipline? It doesn’t sound sexy. Heck, it’s the broccoli of personal growth. But you know what? Broccoli’s good for you, and so is discipline. It’s the muscle that lifts you out of mediocrity and plants you at the top of your game.
Here’s what I’ve seen over the years—most people quit too fast. They jump ship because they’re “bored” or because the grind feels, well, grindy. You know what else is boring? Being broke. Here’s the truth—repetition isn’t boring; it’s how you get good. It’s how you get great.
Window cleaning is repetitive, no doubt. Swipe, squeegee, repeat. But every time you do it, you’re sharpening your edge, honing your craft. And man, when you’re good—like really good—people will notice. They’ll line up for your services.
Discipline isn’t just about doing the same thing every day; it’s about channeling that consistency into mastery. Just like eating chicken and rice is boring but healthy, doing the hard stuff day in, day out sets the foundation for something incredible. Don’t give up because you’re tired or uninspired. Stick with it, and you’ll get the kind of success that makes people say, “How the heck did they do it?”
3. Always Do the Right Thing
Oh man, this one is my jam. Doing the right thing isn’t just a nice phrase to slap on a bumper sticker—it’s the beating heart of any successful business and any fulfilling life.
Here’s the trick, though—it’s not the easy thing, and sometimes it’s not the fun thing. Owning your successes is easy, but how about taking responsibility when you screw up? That’s where the real game changes. Made a mistake? Own it. It’s not your squeegee’s fault. It’s not your ad budget’s fault. It’s YOU. And trust me, once you start taking full accountability, your whole life starts shifting in the right direction.
People respect honesty. They crave it. Clients appreciate it when you say, “Hey, we missed a spot. We’ll fix it, no charge.” You know what happens next? They trust you more. That trust becomes loyalty, and before you know it, their neighbor, brother, and dog-walker are also calling you for business.
The honesty policy isn’t just for clients either—it’s for YOU. Be real with yourself about what’s working, what’s not, and what you can do better. Life rewards self-awareness like nothing else. When you live by this rule, you’ll find stronger relationships, unwavering trust from your team, and a clear path to success.
Go All-In
Here’s the gut punch—too many people cruise through life, never realizing the power of these simple truths. They don’t love what they do. They flinch at hard work. And when the chips are down, they dodge responsibility like it’s a dodgeball game in middle school.
That’s not you, though. You’re here, and I know you’ve got what it takes to win. Love your craft like it’s the best thing you’ve got going (because it is). Show up with grit, discipline, and focus, even when you feel like veering off course. And whatever you do, do the right thing.
Take it from someone who’s spent three decades in an industry that’s full of ups, downs, and yes—views through squeaky-clean windows. This formula works. It worked for me, and it’ll work for you.
Here’s to killer success, personal freedom, and some dang shiny windows. Go get it!
Keep Shining!
-Gabe Salinas
