Working on a daily basis as logistic support personnel, I see a lot of tools of the trade which are frequently used and abused.

-Chisels which get shattered because a stubborn screw won’t pop out an aileron.

-Ratchets which get dulled from tight screw without the aid of WD40.

and screwdrivers which pop Nacelles of engines into and out of place which break and worn down to the handle.

I am often confronted with these tools of the trade being brought in by jacks of all trade. Salesmen, mechanic, avionics and hangar chief. When looking closely, they all have similarities.

1. A mechanic without his tools is as rudderless as a sailboat with a jammed rudder.

2. A Hangar chief without quality tools, he will spend more on replacing tools than on actual tools themselves.

3 A Avionic specialist needs specialized tools, such as the pitot static test set, to measure atmospheric pressure of the tested aircraft and making sure there are no leaks. A fuselage with no correct reading of pressure will risk knocking the crew and passengers out cold and leaving a runaway plane until the craft burns all its fuel and crashes.

4. And the salesman making a living in providing expensive and inexpensive tools which are readily available when you don’t need it and 8 weeks lead time when you desperately need it.

All come down to one simple fact. Given tools are only as good as the user. How you want to use the tools, its completely up to the user.

Discipline is essential. Using, storing and cleaning the tools to maximize the life and use of the tools which are available.

Improvising is often necessary when something doesn’t work as expected.

Investing in the right tools which will break often. Often, buying the least expensive tools will only compound the price of time lost and new purchases of tools. Rather invest in something which will cost a little more but great to use with a lifetime warranty.

Necessity will always get tools which are specific for a job in particular.

All notions I have mentioned above are equally applicable in life.

Use wisely your tools and they will come always useful.

Languages, skills and some luck all fall into this.

If there is something you need to set a part of your life in place, nail it. When that doesn’t work, ratchet up the pressure. If not, screw it and get advice from a specialists.