Running Your Home Like a Well-Oiled Rig in 2025

This year, I’m taking a bold step: applying everything I’ve learned in my oilfield career to my home life. It’s time to treat my household like the critical operation it is. After all, if process safety management can prevent blowouts, surely it can stop the daily chaos of “Where’s the remote?!”

Listening: A Leadership Skill I’ve Neglected

“They say listening is important,” my wife reminded me recently, as I half-heartedly acknowledged her while skimming through my work emails on my phone. Turns out, they’re right. In 2025, I’m committing to listen to the safety signals at home, not just at work.

Step one: hear the concerns.

Step two: act on them.

Step three: avoid another domestic HSE incident.

Enter the Happiness Pyramid

At work, we rely on the Safety Pyramid to reduce risks. Address the frequent, low-cost issues at the bottom, and you can prevent disasters at the top. Home life is no different. Enter my Happiness Pyramid.

Real-World Example: The Remote Control Debacle

Its constant disappearances disrupted our family’s downtime. When my five-year-old unearthed it (stuffed in the couch cushions next to a snack graveyard), I did what any sensible oilfield worker would: mitigated the risk. I slapped on a Tile tracker with electrical tape from the junk drawer.

Prioritizing Home Maintenance: The Risk Matrix

Like any seasoned operator, I’ve developed a risk matrix for household tasks:

• Lower Left Quadrant: Low-cost, low-time. Fix the squeaky cabinet door. Clear the porch. Praise the kid who flushed.

• Upper Right Quadrant: High-cost, high-stress. Re-roof the garage? Work on the car? Those are long-term budget items.

  
  

Mantra: “I will address the low-hanging fruit for my family’s sanity.” Say it with me. Feels good, doesn’t it?

Practical Application: Field Reports from Home

1. The Cabinet Door Saga

   • “It won’t stay closed,” she said. “It keeps swinging open.”

   • “I’ve got this,” I replied with the confidence of someone who just found the right-size wrench.

   On one trip to the hardware store (and a reluctant assistant in tow), I installed RV hardware that clicks shut with satisfying finality. Click. Open. Click. Admiring my work and grinning like a kid who had just discovered bubble wrap.“Stop, please,” she sighed. Sorry! But every click is a tiny victory for me.

2. Bonus Points System

   • Bringing the kid along to the hardware store? Double points.

   • Fixing the problem without being asked twice? Triple points.

   • Tracking your own points because no one else cares? Priceless.

     
     

Measure What Matters

In the field, you can’t address what you don’t measure. So, I’m introducing metrics to my home life:

• Family Morale Index: Is mom happy? Check.

• Budget Compliance Rate: Are we staying under budget while tackling small fixes? Check.

• Household Sanity Levels: Are we yelling less about missing remotes? Big check.

  
  

With this insightful guide, learn how oilfield professionals apply measurable success strategies to their roles.

Closing Thought

So, here’s to 2025: The year I stop ignoring the small things and embrace the lower-left quadrant of life’s risk matrix. Who drives their home like this? Me. But hey, if it works in the oilfield, why not in the living room?

For insights into how listening impacts leadership, check out this episode of The Crude Cast where I discuss practical ways to improve communication and team morale.

If you enjoy exploring creative solutions, you’ll love my book Crude Communication—packed with strategies to enhance collaboration and reduce stress.

For more strategies on managing small wins, check out 7 Tops for Running a Family Business with no Drama

For more tips on tackling everyday challenges in the oilfield—or at home—read my blog post on Where Do I Fit? 5 Ways to Find Your Place in Oil and Gas.

FAQ

1. Why is public speaking important in the oil and gas industry? Public speaking is critical for effectively communicating complex ideas. Strong public speaking skills ensure your message is understood and inspires action—a vital part of leadership in this dynamic industry.

2. What are some tips for overcoming nervousness when speaking in front of a crowd? Preparation is key! Practice your speech multiple times, and focus on key points rather than memorizing word-for-word. Deep breathing before speaking can calm nerves, and visualizing a positive outcome helps build confidence. For more advice, check out my blog post on public speaking.

3. How can I improve my public speaking skills for technical presentations? Start by breaking down complex topics into simple, relatable terms. Use visuals to reinforce your points, and engage the audience with questions or interactive elements. Practicing in front of colleagues or mentors is also an effective way to refine your delivery and content.

Want to engage but don't know where to start? Add your thoughts in the comments section.

• "What’s the toughest audience you’ve faced while presenting in the oilfield?"

• "How do you prepare for technical presentations?"

• "What’s one tip that has helped you become a better public speaker?"

Did this post help you rethink your household strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Know someone who could use these tips? Share this article with them! Don’t forget to grab a copy of Crude Communication on Amazon for more insights. Want to listen instead? Check out the Audible version. Your support keeps this rig running smoothly!