When the Pipes Burst (Literally and Metaphorically)
What a flooded house taught me about setbacks, ownership, and moving forward.
Last week, the new house we’re building flooded.
A plumber—experienced and capable—made a simple mistake installing a pipe fitting in the boys’ upstairs bathroom. Water leaked from the second floor, into the kitchen, and then down into the basement. Total cascade.
Could it have been avoided? Yep. Was it frustrating? Absolutely. But the only way out was forward. No amount of complaining was going to dry the floors or reverse the damage. We got to work, ripped out the soaked areas, and started repairs. Back to baseline.
Here’s the thing: if you’re building anything—a family, a house, a career, a company—stuff will go sideways.
Your spouse will change or leave.
You’ll get laid off.
A product launch will flop.
A deal will fall through.
A pipe will burst.
The best builders don’t dwell. They get mad for a day, then they move. Because action, not outrage, fixes things.
In recruiting, I meet a lot of people who were laid off. Some spiral into negativity and complain to me during the interview. Others accept what happened, take ownership, and double down on growth. They learn a new skill. Rebuild their routine. Network with purpose.
They get better instead of bitter.
And let’s be honest—most people aren’t thinking about your mess anyway. They’re dealing with their own and too busy to worry about your problems. If they are judging you, they’re probably wrong.
So here’s your reminder:
Get knocked down. Get back up. Build again.
Floods happen. What you do next is what matters.
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