In 1974, when I was in the eighth grade, Mr. Allwood (I still can’t use his first name), told us always to do our best. He further commanded us to follow this rule our entire lives. If we were mowing the yard, feeding the dog, cleaning our room, and even in the future job we were going to have, he said to always do our best. If we mowed the yard, we should do it well enough to feel good about putting our name in the grass. We will not always achieve perfection, but we should always strive to do so.

I am sure I have not always lived up to that challenge from Mr. Allwood, but many of the things taught to us as children just never leave your mind. Case in point: My Dad was one of the hardest workers I have ever known. Back when he was farming, he always greased every fitting on whatever he was using. His words still ring in my head, “If you want your equipment to last, you gotta keep it greased. I find myself doing the same. Not that I have the same feelings as he did, but because somehow, he would be disappointed if I didn’t.

To always do our best is good advice for kids and adults alike. Last month I started my 18th year in real estate. I have made several mistakes, second-guessed many of my decisions, and spoken when I should have listened. Even when wrong, I gave it my all. Our contract package has gone from 4 pages to close to 30 pages. I have seen all the new ones come, one or two at a time, and have become very familiar with them all. The clients, not so much. I feel it is my obligation to them to not let any part of it become mundane as I explain the small mountain of papers they must sign. I do it all the time, they do not.

A few days ago I was watching a YouTube video of Elvis Presley. He was in Las Vegas getting ready to perform. He paced back and forth and was obviously nervous and reminding each of his staff what their job entailed. This was shocking to me. Why would the King ever have a reason to be nervous? He was asked what was wrong with him. His response was so powerful to me. He told them, “We have done this same show many times, but the crowd out here is seeing it for the first time. We must get it right.” Great lesson from the King of Rock and Roll.

In the last month or so a few of my grandkids were involved in basketball tournaments. They played in Greenfield, Washington Court House, and ended at Miami Trace. I didn’t go to them all, but did hit most of them. It was a blast to watch the kids all play. They were all well attended and ran close to perfection. I am not sure about the rest of them, but our kids have never played in front of crowds like that. There weren’t thousands in attendance, but it was in the hundreds. That’s a big deal for anyone’s first time.

At the tournament in Washington Court House, I was talking with my 9-year-old grandson, Grayson, before his game. Grayson taught me one of those lessons. It was step number 2 to Mr. Allwood’s always do your best rule. It started with a simple question from me. I asked him if he was nervous. His answer was so profound but so simple. It really wasn’t even a word. He simply shook his head no and said, “Nah,” then walked off. He wasn’t showing arrogance or even being cocky. It was just that he knew he would do well, and he did.

At any age, I think there’s a life lesson in just about everything we do, good or bad.

How awesome it was that he was that sure that not only would he do his very best, but that the outcome would be nothing less than what was needed. I was so proud of him that day for his confidence and his accomplishment of his team winning the tournament.

Great lesson from a 9-year-old.

Randy Butler is a lifelong resident of Highland County and a licensed real estate agent for Classic Real Estate in Hillsboro.