Vacuuming Cars, Building Character

Vacuuming Cars, Building Character

This morning, as I walked in the crisp, cool air, I was reminded of one of my very first jobs back in high school: working at the local car wash. My role was simple—vacuuming out cars as they pulled up. At first, I was excited and grateful just to have the job.

But I also remember how my friends, who started in the same spot, eventually moved on to what felt like the “better” role. They got to drive the cars out of the wash cycle, grab the towels, and dry them off. On top of that, they had the opportunity to receive tips from customers. Meanwhile, I stayed bent over with a vacuum hose in hand, battling the ache in my lower back and quietly wishing I was in their place.

At the time, I didn’t love it. But looking back now, I actually do love that place. It taught me lessons that went way beyond cleaning cars.

The car wash revealed something to me about attitude. When you’re in a role that feels uncomfortable or unglamorous, your mind naturally wants to wander toward something else—something that seems easier, more visible, or more rewarding. But the truth is, the way you do the job you have right now sets the tone for how you’ll do everything else later.

I can remember the anticipation of those first paychecks. The thrill of earning something for my effort was real. But over time, when the discomfort set in, I started to notice my attitude slip. Instead of gratitude, I leaned toward bitterness, comparing my job to others and wishing for something different. That’s where the real test began.

When you learn to approach every role with gratitude, you unlock a deeper level of mental toughness. Whether you’re vacuuming cars, drying them with towels, pitching on a baseball mound, sitting at the end of the batting lineup, or even riding the bench, you still have the opportunity to pursue excellence. Excellence doesn’t depend on the job—it depends on your attitude.

Coach Nick Saban once said, “It’s more important who you are than what you do.” That truth sticks with me. It reminds me that the value of work is not measured by the task itself but by the person you become while doing it.

Today, I carry that lesson into everything I face. Every role, every responsibility, every setback is an opportunity to grow stronger, more grateful, and more excellent—not because of what I’m doing, but because of who I am becoming.