When I think about my years in the trades, I see a journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and obstacles that tested me in ways I never expected. At the same time, I also see the resilience those struggles built in me. Working in the trades has taught me that resilience is not about avoiding hard times. It is about facing them head-on, learning from them, and coming out stronger on the other side.

These lessons have shaped me not just as an electrician and business owner but as a person. They have helped me grow in my community work, my family life, and even in simple everyday moments.

Facing Doubt and Proving Yourself

One of the earliest challenges I faced was simply being a woman in the trades. When I walked onto job sites as a young electrician, I often felt eyes on me, questioning whether I belonged. Some people doubted me before I even picked up a tool.

At first, that doubt was discouraging. I wondered if I had made the right choice. But instead of giving up, I chose to prove myself through consistent hard work. I showed up early, I asked questions, I kept learning, and I gave my best effort every day. Eventually, respect followed.

That experience taught me something important. Resilience means not letting someone else’s opinion decide your worth. It means trusting your skills and staying steady until people see the results.

Learning From Mistakes

No one in the trades gets everything right the first time. I have made my fair share of mistakes, from misjudging measurements to wiring challenges that needed fixing. Early on, mistakes felt like failures. I worried they would define me.

Over time, I learned that mistakes are just part of the process. The real measure is how you respond. Every mistake gave me a chance to problem-solve, to ask for help, and to get better.

In life, too, mistakes happen. We forget, we stumble, we take a wrong turn. What matters most is what we do next. Resilience grows when we treat mistakes as lessons rather than as final judgments.

Working Through Physical and Mental Demands

The trades are physically demanding. Long hours on your feet, heavy lifting, and exposure to weather take a toll. I can remember days when my body ached so much that I wanted to quit. On top of that, there are mental demands too. Managing projects, running a business, and balancing family life can be overwhelming.

What kept me going was building habits that supported resilience. I learned to pace myself, to take care of my health, and to lean on others when needed. I also learned the value of hobbies like fishing and gardening, which gave me time to recharge.

That balance taught me something bigger. Resilience is not about pushing through at all costs. It is about knowing when to rest, when to ask for support, and when to come back stronger.

Perseverance in the Face of Setbacks

One of the hardest seasons of my career was when I ran into project delays and business struggles that made me question everything. Materials were late, costs were rising, and no matter how much I planned, things seemed to go wrong.

It would have been easy to walk away, but instead, I pushed through by breaking the problems down one at a time. I leaned on my training, trusted my instincts, and kept moving forward step by step.

In the end, we completed the work, and the sense of pride was even greater because of the struggle. That season taught me that resilience is built in the hardest moments, when you choose not to quit even when every part of you wants to.

Carrying Lessons Into Everyday Life

The resilience I have learned in the trades does not stay on the job site. It shows up in every part of my life.

When a family challenge comes up, I remind myself that I have faced tougher moments before and I can get through this too. When my community projects run into setbacks, I lean on the same problem-solving skills I use at work. When life feels overwhelming, I remind myself that balance and patience matter as much as hard work.

The trades have given me confidence that I can handle whatever comes. That is a gift I carry into every situation.

Encouraging Others to Build Resilience

I share these lessons not just for myself but for anyone who is walking through challenges of their own. You do not need to be an electrician or a tradesperson to learn resilience. You can build it in any setting by facing doubt, learning from mistakes, persevering through setbacks, and balancing effort with rest.

When I speak to students about the trades, I often tell them that the skills they learn go far beyond wiring, building, or operating equipment. The trades teach life lessons in resilience that prepare you for anything.

The Strength Found in Struggle

Looking back, I would not trade the struggles I faced in the trades for anything. Each one shaped me into someone stronger, more patient, and more determined. They taught me that resilience is not about avoiding hardship but about finding strength in the middle of it.

Life will always bring challenges, whether in work, family, or community. The question is not whether struggles will come but how we respond when they do. If we meet them with perseverance, patience, and courage, we will come out stronger every time.

That is the greatest lesson the trades have given me, and it is one I hope to pass on to others.