Chop Wood. Carry Water. Trust the Process

Everyone wants to be great. Very few are willing to do what greatness actually requires.

I just finished reading Chop Wood, Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great by Joshua Medcalf, and it’s one of those books that stays with you—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s honest.

At its core, it’s a story about a young man named John who wants to become a samurai archer. Along the way, he meets Akira, his sensei, who teaches him something far more important than how to shoot an arrow: how to fall in love with the process.

The House You’re Really Building

One of the most powerful stories in the book is about a man named Kota, a master home builder ready to retire after building hundreds of homes.

His boss asks him to build one last house.

Kota agrees—but his heart isn’t in it. He cuts corners. He rushes. His mind is already on the beach.

When the house is finished, his boss hands him the keys and says:

“As a thank-you for all your years of work… this house is yours.”

And in that moment, Kota realizes something painful:

The whole time, he was building his own house.

If he had known, he would’ve used the best materials. He would’ve obsessed over every detail. He would’ve given it his absolute best.

The lesson is simple—and uncomfortable:

👉 Everything you do, you’re building your own house.

Inches Matter More Than You Think

Another chapter asks a simple question: How much is an inch worth?

In isolation, an inch feels insignificant. But inches—stacked daily, consistently—are what separate the great from the average.

The book reminds us:

• Every small choice matters
• Your habits matter
• And your circle matters

Who you surround yourself with—and who you allow to influence you—quietly shapes who you become.

That idea hits home for me when I think about 1-800-BUY-HOUSES.

Surrounding yourself with people who:

• do business the right way
• value transparency
• and put homeowners first

Those inches may not look impressive on day one—but over time, they can take you anywhere.

Chop Wood. Carry Water.

Everyone wants to be a samurai. Very few are willing to chop wood and carry water.

In the story, chopping wood and carrying water isn’t glamorous—but it’s essential. It provides heat. It provides life. It’s what allows everything else to exist.

The problem with “small” is that it’s often boring. It isn’t sexy. It doesn’t get applause.

But greatness requires faithfulness to the basics.

I see this all the time in real estate.

Educating homeowners. Giving value. Doing the right thing—even when deals aren’t closing.

I’ve personally experienced seasons where we were helping people, advising them not to sell, pointing them toward better options… and not closing deals.

That can be frustrating.

But the principle matters.

At 1-800-BUY-HOUSES, we believe:

• Education comes first
• Transparency matters
• And shortcuts eventually cost more than they save

You may not see immediate results—but the foundation you’re building matters.

Surrender the Outcome. Control the Controllables.

One of my favorite themes in the book is this idea:

Surrender the outcome. Commit to the process.

I can’t control whether a homeowner accepts an offer. I can control how I show up.

I can control:

• how clearly I explain their options
• whether I’m honest about the pros and cons
• whether I give them everything they need to make the right decision—not just a fast one

Surrendering the outcome doesn’t mean caring less. It means trusting the process enough to do your best work—regardless of the result.

And ironically, that’s often when the best outcomes happen.

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