retaining what has been taught

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JJWalecka

JJWalecka

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Location
New England
The company I work for hired an old timer a few months ago. I was raised to respect my elders. When I was "green" I was taught by a few old timers who took me under thier wings to teach me craftsmanship and pride in my work. He likes to "bust my Ball$." He is trying to defer me from writing thing's down. I like to write about the various projects that I have to complete for future reference. I find with all the stress of family life, and working twelve hours a day five plus days a week I some times have trouble remembering things. I feel that I'm a reasonably intelligent person that did well in school and I retain things well. I respect this man's opinion. He has been in the trade longer than I have been alive. I have a great deal to learn from him.
One of the best Electricians I ever worked with wrote everything down. He called his notebook his "Brain" if he lost it he would be momentarily screwed. :D
Are there other electricians out there that write down details about the projects? :confused:
This isn't the usual topic to be posted but I would appreciate any positive or negative feedback. Thank you for your time and effort.

Justin W.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Justin, if writing notes or what have you makes you a more efficient person or tradesman, do it with out hesitation or apology to anyone.

Roger
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Yes, you ought to see the cab of my truck. About 20 notebooks filled with all sorts of notes and such.

If I had to guess, I might guess that the old timer thinks you might be writing down some of his instructions. If he had any unsurity about the instruction at all (you'll never know), he might be afraid that you'll use it against him if crap ever hits the fan. I've had at least one person whip out a notebook and say "on tuesday, the 11th about 11:00, Marc told me to do XYZ" when push came to shove. That might be his fear.

Just a thought.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

I'm a big proponent of "journaling" daily work. Early in my career, I would write down everything I did in a day and then would go home and look it up in the code book to see why. I tell my apprentice students today to do the same.

Once I became a contractor, keeping a daily log of all the jobs performed during the day assisted me in remembering exactly what I did and gave me another tool for performing estimates and proposals for furture work. I was able to go into more detail in a log book then I would normally on a work order.

Today, we have the wonderful technology of digital cameras. Not only do I "log" daily inspections, I also keep a photo record of various installations. Not only do they aid in my presnetations as an instructor, but they also allow me to receive peer review of my inspection decisions. Bringing in pictures to IAEI meetings or to the weekly building department meetings adds depth to a discussion.

I say, learn what you can, when you can, from whomever you can, anyway you can. If your technique is writing things down, this just may be the "thing" that differentiates you from the rest of the pack and provides you success. Keep up the good works!
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Roger and mdshunk thank you for your positive feedback. Bphgravity thank you agian for your wisdom. You have helped me before and as always I appreciate it.

Justin W.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

I completely agree with Roger, mds and in particular Bryan gave you very good advice and perspective.

Every good electrician, foreman and superintendent that I've known kept their own personal daily log. Some called it a log, some a journal, and most called it a diary.

They could tell you what they were working on 8 months ago, who they were working with, what hours they worked, anything important that happened or that they were told, etc, etc. These guys are some of the best in the industry. It is the only way they could remember what really happened. No one can just remember what they were doing 6 months ago or what happened that was important.

They kept their diaries for years, along with pictures, drawings and other important records.

[ July 31, 2005, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: tx2step ]
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

I might suggest that it is a good idea from the perspective of protecting your own interests. Some years down the road, if someone tries to blame you for a problem, you will have some evidence of what work you did. You may be able to prove that you did not work on the particular part of the house that had the problem.

The photo record is an even better idea. For example, if someone tries to blame you for installing an over-sized breaker (i.e., that caused a wire to burn up), and you can show a photo of the panel that you took at the end of your job, and if that photo shows that the breaker in question was a spare slot when you left the job, then you are protected from an unwarranted lawsuit.

Keep in mind that the legal eagles are most likely to pay attention to your journal and your photos IF AND ONLY IF you are consistent in using them. If you record some jobs and not other jobs, then they will probably not allow you to use your journal as evidence on your own behalf.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Originally posted by justinjwalecka:
I some times have trouble remembering things.
Click to expand...
I keep a filing cabinet in my office with files for any topic that I want to keep info on that just doesnt seem to stay with me. Some of the files are Alum. wiring, ballasts and bulbs, neutral & neutral sizing, well you get the idea. Then you just fill the folder with copies of code sections, code forum threads, magazine articles, whatever you need. Then if you have a job to bid or need info on something you haven't done in a while then you can quickly go to your filing cabinet. Before this system I would always forget where an article or good thread was that I read, and kick myself for not remembering. Not any more.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Thanks tx2step, my latest folder is labelled "Hot Tubs", I asked a question about spas on here a couple weeks ago and got loads of good info that now sits in my folder.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

GG thank you for your feedback. I can't not change people but I will try to be the best Electrician that I can be.

Justin W.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

To: justinjwalecka, Son, you are my kind of electrician. I worked in Industry for 45 years and now I am teaching at a Technical Community College.
I would hire you in a heartbeat. As you have already learned that you will meet all kinds of men in your trade. Some are easy to get along with and some can be difficult. Dealing with that issue without creating a problem can be difficult.
I have had some electricians that would do exactly what you are doing in taking Notes. I can remember that some would say to the electrician
taking Notes, "When you retire, I want your little Black Book". Keep up with that great attitude that you have, and God Bless.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Friebel,

Thank you very much for your support. I write everything down on scrap paper and transfer it to a notebook after work. I find that I retain more by writing it down twice. I have mysteriously "Lost" other notebooks that I have had on the job and I find this the best way. Thank you again and God Bless you and your family.

Justin W.
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

write it down in a book with numbered pages that cannot be removed there are some good construction log books out there that comply.

as you get older you will contact a disease called CRS (cannot remember stuff) or RCRS (really cannot remember stuff) which is alittle worse, writing it down helps.

remember last week when you replaced the lamp in the light fixture at the local bar what circuit was that on anyway? they are still having problems with light at the other end of the bar

if you wrote it down Hey I never even looked at that light Mr x told me it was the other one and that is the one I fixed he never told me about the one with the intermittent problem that works sometimes and not others.

also hey I remember 4 months ago I had a similar problem took me 8 hours to find the solution where was it that I finally found out what was wrong

It is also a good way to CYA ( cover your a)

Write it down
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Just trying to grasp this great concept. When your electrician tells you to run x conduit from here to there do you write this down? What are the most important things to write down while you are on the job? I have tried to get in the habit of writing everything I did that day when I get to my truck at the end of the day. How long it took and any tricks I may have learned. Thanks J for posting this thought invoking topic
 
Re: retaining what has been taught

Marinessgt0411 thank you for the feedback. My Brother in-law is in Iraq. God Bless everyone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Southernboys At the end of the day I write down what I did and how long it took me. If it took an hour and a half to assemble stock and bond the 2 inch Water main I would note it. I also make comments like I cleaned the copper with a emery cloth and taped the 3/0 green. Foreman said not to use DE OX and no physical protection is required. So if he states I told you to use Greenfield to protect the conductor I am covered. I also note if there are any issues, for instance the Sprinkler guys were coring a 12 inch hole in the exterior block wall. Water was spraying all over. I have a better feel on how long a task should take when delegating the work.


Justin W.
 
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