The joy of learning...

After laying 329 pieces of bathroom wall tile, representing 214 separate cuts, let me share how the process reinforces some work traits developed over the years.

• Have a plan. Tile is unforgiving and once cut, cannot be uncut. So have a plan, measure everything twice and remember people will be looking at the outcome, though not always from a porcelain thrown.

• You want to be surrounded by the smartest people in the room. Thank you, Google and YouTube, for giving me access to the experts who guided my way.

• Make progress every day. Some days I did a few rows of tile. Other days I did more. But I did something every day. It takes patience, time, precision and accuracy to do a great job. It is messy, tedious and sometimes painful to the perfectionist in me. I did learn a ton, which leads to the final point.

• Being hands on is the best way to learn. All the lectures, seminars and books in the world will never replace the simple act of doing, making mistakes, learning and improving.

In the end I give myself a B-. I strived for an A, as always, and am better equipped for the next time. Ah, the joy of learning something new.