Rebuilding Rob

Thanks to Eric Fulton for this writing prompt. Eric is the geo- tracking mastermind of Eric Fulton’s blog. If you haven’t seen his blog yet, check it out!

What does “success” look like on a day when you’re exhausted?

There is a specific kind of exhaustion that feels like a trophy. I’m not afraid of a hard day’s work—don’t let the “dad bod” fool you—but I’ve realized that my definition of success has very little to do with the world outside my driveway. To me, success is the result of my handiwork: a clean garage, a manicured lawn, a car that reflects the streetlights. These aren’t just random household chores; they are the boundaries I set against chaos. They are the tangible proof that I am still the architect of my own empire, even when I’ve spent the day acting as a “soldier” in a job where we are all, ultimately, expendable.

I’ve had nights where I spent the entire day busting my butt in the garage, only to find myself waking up at 3:00 AM just to walk out and look at it again. It sounds funny, but I need that reminder. I need to see the order I created. It’s a internal sense of satisfaction that no “Teacher of the Year” plaque could ever provide. My home is my sanctuary, the one corner of the world where I am most comfortable, and maintaining that space is what makes the grind of the daily job worthwhile.

This philosophy extends to how I show up when the tank is near empty. We all have days where we aren’t at 100%, but on those days, giving my remaining 20% is giving 100%. It’s about the “Pillow Principle”—the ability to rest my head at night knowing I did absolutely everything I could to make a situation work. I felt that way at the end of my marriage, and again with X2. If I can look at the wreckage or the triumph and know I left nothing on the table, I can sleep. Success isn’t about the promotion; it’s about the peace of mind that comes from knowing you didn’t leave a single breadcrumb behind.

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like 👍, comment, and subscribe below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media and check out my recent posts!

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The article “The Midnight Inspection” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.