Our construction project is winding down (yay!), but there are still a few smaller jobs that we’re doing ourselves. Some of these are things I have some experience with, such as painting. But when we decided to put down all of the flooring ourselves, I wondered if we were in over our heads. Could we do it? Should we even try?

Yesterday we finished putting a vinyl floor into the new bathroom. We’d never put in a sub-floor, created a template, or cut vinyl before. But with all the right tools, some advice from friends and a few books, we did it. I know it seems silly to be excited about a floor. But when you try something, even if you don’t succeed you gain skills and confidence that make things easier the next time.

Try and fail, but don’t fail to try. ~Stephen Kaggwa

I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying. ~Tom Hopkins

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ~Vincent van Gogh

What new things are you planning to try? What’s been stopping you? Please share your thoughts!