Understanding the Joy Metric

The Joy Metric is simple to understand but profound in its implications. It measures the happiness that results from your actions and the happiness you help foster in others. This could be as simple as bringing a smile to a teammate during a stressful project or as impactful as mentoring someone who then thrives because of your guidance. When you start viewing success through the lens of joy, your priorities shift. You begin to value experiences and relationships as much as outcomes.

I first noticed this concept while coaching teams and managing projects. A team that laughed together, celebrated small wins, and supported one another consistently outperformed teams that focused solely on results. Joy creates engagement, loyalty, and resilience, and it transforms ordinary work into something meaningful.

The Role of Happiness in Leadership

Happiness is not just a personal goal; it is a leadership tool. When you lead with joy, you set a tone that encourages others to bring their best selves to the table. People respond to energy, optimism, and positivity. A leader who prioritizes the well-being of their team, celebrates accomplishments, and approaches challenges with a positive attitude creates a culture where success is more than just numbers.

I have seen firsthand how leaders who ignore the human element often struggle, even if their strategies are sound. A team that feels appreciated and supported is more willing to take risks, innovate, and collaborate. By measuring success in terms of joy, you naturally create an environment that fosters productivity and loyalty without forcing metrics that can feel cold or impersonal.

Joy as a Measure of Impact

Beyond leadership, the Joy Metric can guide how we measure the impact of our actions in the broader world. Success is often defined by external markers, but true impact comes from the difference you make in people’s lives. Did your work make someone’s day easier? Did it inspire them to achieve something new? Did it spark laughter, pride, or confidence? These are indicators that your success is meaningful and lasting.

I have found that focusing on joy as a measure of success also changes the way I approach goals. Projects and decisions are not just evaluated on efficiency or revenue. I ask myself how they contribute to the happiness and growth of the people involved. This perspective may not always maximize short-term gains, but it builds sustainable relationships and long-term fulfillment.

Lessons from Sports and Teams

Sports have taught me a lot about the connection between joy and success. Teams that enjoy the process of playing together often perform better than teams obsessed with winning at all costs. A shared sense of purpose, humor, and camaraderie can overcome talent gaps and setbacks. When players feel valued and encouraged, they bring energy and creativity that cannot be captured in stats alone.

The same applies to business and personal endeavors. Encouraging joy and fostering positive experiences strengthens collaboration, builds trust, and improves overall results. Happiness becomes not just a byproduct but a strategic advantage.

Balancing Achievement and Happiness

Of course, pursuing joy does not mean abandoning goals or reducing accountability. True success requires effort, discipline, and focus. The Joy Metric does not replace hard work; it complements it. When you combine achievement with genuine happiness, the results are more sustainable and more meaningful.

I have learned that it is possible to hold both values in tension. You can strive for excellence while also prioritizing the well-being of those around you. You can aim for growth without sacrificing relationships or personal fulfillment. Success becomes a holistic measure of what you accomplish and how it feels along the way.

Cultivating Joy in Everyday Life

One of the most valuable lessons of the Joy Metric is that happiness is often found in the small moments. Celebrating a team member’s milestone, sharing a laugh during a difficult project, or taking time to acknowledge someone’s effort can have a profound impact. These gestures create a ripple effect, improving morale, engagement, and the overall culture.

In my experience, the act of intentionally cultivating joy also increases your own resilience and motivation. When you see the positive effects of your actions, it fuels your energy and reminds you why the work matters. Joy becomes both a measure of success and a source of strength.

Redefining Success

The Joy Metric has transformed how I approach life and work. It is a reminder that the true measure of success is not what you accumulate but the positive influence you have on others. By prioritizing happiness, connection, and meaningful experiences, we create environments where people thrive, work becomes fulfilling, and achievements carry lasting value.

I encourage everyone to consider the Joy Metric in their own pursuits. Celebrate laughter, recognize contributions, and focus on the happiness you generate in your teams and communities. Success defined this way is richer, more sustainable, and ultimately more rewarding. True victory is measured not in profits or accolades but in smiles, laughter, and the difference you make in the lives of those around you.

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When I think back on my career in construction and paving, one of the things I am most grateful for is the mentors who guided me along the way. They were people who took the time to share not only the technical skills of the trade but also the values that went with it. They taught me that craftsmanship is about more than laying asphalt or building structures. It is about pride, integrity, and leaving behind something that lasts. Now, as I look at the next generation stepping into the workforce, I feel a strong responsibility to pass down the lessons I was given.

More Than a Job

For many people, construction or paving might seem like just another job. But those of us who have spent years in the industry know it is much more. When you build something, you are leaving your mark on a community. A parking lot, a road, or a walkway may not get the same attention as a skyscraper, but it still has purpose and meaning. Teaching the next generation to see the bigger picture is one of the most important lessons we can share. Craftsmanship is not about rushing to finish. It is about understanding that even the smallest details matter.

The Value of Hard Work

One lesson I make sure to emphasize is the value of hard work. There are no shortcuts when it comes to doing a job right. Younger workers often want to see results quickly, and I can understand that. But the truth is, quality takes time. Laying a strong foundation, preparing the site correctly, and checking your work at each step are what separate lasting craftsmanship from something that falls apart in a few years. I want them to know that the pride they feel in a job well done will always outweigh the satisfaction of finishing fast.

Learning by Doing

Another important part of teaching is letting people learn through hands-on experience. You can explain a process all day long, but nothing compares to being on site, holding the tools, and working through the challenges. I encourage younger workers to ask questions, try new things, and even make mistakes. Mistakes are where some of the best lessons are found. What matters is that they are willing to get back up, fix what went wrong, and keep improving. That persistence is the heart of craftsmanship.

Attention to Detail

One of the biggest differences between average work and true craftsmanship is attention to detail. I teach younger workers to look closer at every step. How even is the surface? How strong is the base? Are the edges clean? These details might seem small, but they determine how long the work will last and how well it will serve the people who use it. Taking pride in those details shows respect not only for the craft but also for the customer and the community.

Respect for the Trade

Passing down lessons is not just about skills. It is also about building respect for the trade itself. Construction and paving are tough jobs that require dedication and resilience. I remind the next generation that the work we do is essential. Roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are things people use every single day, often without thinking about them. When those projects are done with care, they make life safer and easier for everyone. Respecting the trade means recognizing its value and treating it with the seriousness it deserves.

Mentorship and Patience

Being a mentor takes patience. It means slowing down sometimes to explain why things are done a certain way, even when deadlines are pressing. It means remembering that someone once took the time to do the same for me. Mentorship is not about creating clones of myself. It is about helping young workers discover their own strengths while grounding them in timeless values like honesty, persistence, and pride in their work. I believe the best leaders are those who leave others better than they found them.

Building Confidence

Another part of teaching is building confidence in younger workers. In the beginning, it is easy for them to doubt themselves or fear making mistakes. I try to remind them that everyone starts somewhere, and no one is perfect on day one. Confidence grows with experience, but it also grows with encouragement. By showing them that I trust them to handle responsibility, I help them trust themselves. That confidence will carry them through not only their careers but also life’s bigger challenges.

Craftsmanship as Legacy

At the end of the day, craftsmanship is about legacy. The roads we pave and the structures we build may stand for decades. More importantly, the lessons we pass down to the next generation can shape their lives and careers far into the future. When I teach someone how to take pride in their work, pay attention to detail, and respect the trade, I am not just preparing them for their next project. I am helping them build a foundation that will support them for years to come.

Shaping the Future Through Craftsmanship

As I continue in my own journey, I see teaching and mentoring as one of my greatest responsibilities. The work itself will always matter, but the people who carry it forward matter even more. By passing down the lessons of craftsmanship, I hope to inspire the next generation to not only succeed in their careers but also to find meaning and purpose in the work they do. That, to me, is the true value of teaching the craft. It is about ensuring the future is in good hands, with people who care as much about quality and integrity as those who came before them.

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Setbacks are a part of life. No matter how carefully we plan or how hard we work, things do not always go the way we want. I learned this lesson early in my career and in my personal life. There were moments when I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. Projects fell apart, opportunities slipped away, and at times, it felt like all the effort I put in was wasted. But over time, I came to see those moments differently. They were not the end. They were steppingstones. What got me through was not luck or talent. It was faith and persistence.

The Role of Faith

Faith, for me, has always been more than belief in something bigger. It is also about trusting the process when the outcome is not clear. Faith gives me strength to face uncertainty with confidence instead of fear. When I remind myself that there is purpose behind the struggle, I find the patience to keep going. Faith has carried me through tough business decisions, personal disappointments, and times when I questioned whether I was on the right path. It does not remove the challenges, but it gives me peace in the middle of them.

Persistence in Action

While faith gives me strength, persistence is what moves me forward. Persistence is about showing up again and again, even when the odds do not look good. It is about refusing to let setbacks define you. I have seen plenty of talented people quit after one big failure. What separates those who eventually succeed is not talent. It is persistence. I made mistakes, sometimes costly ones, but I kept working, learning, and improving. Every failure became a lesson that fueled the next attempt.

Learning from Setbacks

Setbacks have a way of teaching us things we would not have learned otherwise. When everything goes smoothly, it is easy to think we have it all figured out. But when something falls apart, we are forced to reflect and adjust. Looking back, some of the most valuable lessons I learned came from mistakes and failures. They pushed me to think differently, sharpen my skills, and strengthen my character. Without persistence, I would have missed those lessons. Without faith, I would not have had the courage to keep looking for them.

Business Lessons

In business, setbacks are inevitable. I started my first company young, and like any entrepreneur, I faced more than a few bumps along the way. Deals that seemed certain would fall through. Projects I thought were solid would hit unexpected problems. Early on, I let those setbacks weigh me down. I took them as signs that maybe I was not cut out for this path. But with time, I realized that setbacks are not signs to quit. They are reminders to adjust, improve, and keep going. Persistence meant I kept putting in the work, and faith reminded me that my efforts had a larger purpose.

Personal Growth

Overcoming setbacks is not just about moving forward in business. It is also about personal growth. Faith helps me see beyond the surface of a problem, while persistence helps me take practical steps to deal with it. Together, they shape the way I grow as a person. Every challenge I have faced has made me stronger, more resilient, and more grounded in my values. The setbacks I once thought were barriers turned out to be the very things that prepared me for bigger opportunities.

Encouragement for Others

I share this not just to reflect on my own journey but also to encourage anyone who feels stuck in a difficult place. It is easy to lose hope when things go wrong. It is tempting to walk away and tell yourself it was not meant to be. But if you hold on to faith and refuse to quit, you will find a way forward. Persistence does not mean ignoring pain or frustration. It means choosing to keep going in spite of them. Faith does not guarantee instant results. It gives you the patience to wait for them.

The Balance of Both

Faith and persistence work best together. Faith without persistence can leave you waiting for things to change without putting in the effort. Persistence without faith can leave you drained and frustrated. But when you combine the two, you get both the strength and the endurance to face anything. Faith gives direction, and persistence provides the action. That balance has carried me through every stage of my journey.

A Lasting Perspective

Today, when I face setbacks, I see them differently than I once did. I no longer view them as failures. I view them as part of the larger story. Faith tells me the story is still being written, and persistence makes sure I keep turning the pages. The road is not always easy, but it is always worth walking when you know what you are working toward.

Moving Forward with Purpose

Setbacks will continue to come, both in business and in life. I cannot control that. What I can control is how I respond. I choose faith to give me hope and persistence to keep me moving forward. Those two qualities, working hand in hand, are the real keys to overcoming challenges and building a life of meaning. Every step, even the hard ones, brings me closer to where I am meant to be. And that, to me, is what lasting success truly looks like.

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Giving back isn’t just something I believe in. It’s part of how I was raised. And it’s part of how I measure success, not just by the projects we complete, but by the communities we help strengthen along the way.

The Roots of the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund

The Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund wasn’t born out of a boardroom or a branding strategy. It was born out of real conversations with my wife, about my mother,  about how we could use what we’ve built to support the people and places that matter to us.

We named the fund after My mother’s maiden name and married name to honor her with the love to help others and heart to give more than she had. These are names tied to hard work, resilience, and doing what’s right without needing credit. Our families didn’t have much growing up, but they always found ways to help others. It was their time more than money they gave because they didn’t have it to give. It was taking not only their kids to beaches and parks but others as well. My mother( Laura) helped save lots of lives through our church. She passed at the young age of 53 from cancer and asked me to always give more than you get.  

That kind of quiet generosity made a lasting impression on me. It shaped the way I see philanthropy today. It’s not just about writing a check. It’s about being present. Being part of the fabric of your community. Looking out for the people around you.

Why Community Investment Matters

There’s a difference between charity and community investment. Charity can be a one-time gesture. Community investment is about long-term commitment. It’s about believing that when your community does well, everyone benefits, including your business.

Through the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund, we’ve been able to support local schools, youth church programs, and community beautification projects. Sometimes it’s funding supplies. Sometimes it’s lending equipment or labor. Sometimes it’s just showing up and doing the work ourselves.

These aren’t headline-grabbing initiatives. But they matter. They build pride. They give kids opportunities. They improve everyday life for people who might otherwise be overlooked. And to me, that’s what giving back is really about, making a meaningful difference, one relationship at a time.

Philanthropy Without a Spotlight

People often ask why we don’t talk more publicly about our giving. The truth is, we’re not doing it for attention. We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do.

There’s a certain integrity in giving quietly. It keeps you focused on the mission, not the recognition. It forces you to think carefully about who you’re helping and why. And it reminds you that not everything needs to be performative. Some of the most important work happens behind the scenes, without applause.

That said, I do believe it’s important to talk about philanthropy when it can encourage others to do the same. If sharing our story motivates another business owner to start a local scholarship or sponsor a youth program, then that’s worth it. Not because we want the credit, but because we want to be part of a culture that values giving.

Connecting Business to Purpose

At Paving Arts, we build a lot more than hardscapes. We build relationships. We build trust. And we try to build stronger communities with every job we take on. That means hiring locally when we can. It means paying people fairly and treating them with respect. And it means reinvesting our success into the places where we live and work.

I think sometimes people view business and philanthropy as separate things. To me, they’re deeply connected. A good business shouldn’t just extract value from a community, it should give value back. It should create opportunity, support education, and elevate the next generation.

That’s why giving through the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund isn’t something we do “on the side.” It’s part of the whole picture. It’s part of what defines our company values, and frankly, it’s part of what makes the hard work worth it.

Teaching the Next Generation

One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’re involving our kids in the giving process. We talk to them about the causes we support. We bring them to community events. We ask for their ideas.

I want them to grow up understanding that success means more than personal achievement. It means lifting others up. It means recognizing your responsibility to people beyond yourself.

Giving back isn’t something you do after you’ve “made it.” It’s something you build into your life, your business, and your family culture from the start. The earlier they understand that, the better.

Quiet Impact, Lasting Legacy

At the end of the day, my hope is that the work we do through the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund lives longer than any one job or project. I hope it helps kids believe in their potential. I hope it makes a tough season a little easier for a family in need. I hope it reminds people that they’re not alone.

You don’t need a spotlight to make an impact. You just need intention. And you need to care deeply enough to keep showing up, even when no one’s watching.

Philanthropy, to me, isn’t a task to check off. It’s a lifelong mission. A quiet one, maybe. But one that speaks volumes through action.

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When you strip everything else away, the projects, the clients, the schedules—it comes down to this question: Are you holding yourself to a higher standard than anyone else ever could?

Quiet Work, Loud Results

In our line of work, we’re often up before the sun. The streets are empty. The job site is quiet. There’s no audience. No praise. No recognition. Just you, your team, and the task at hand. This is where personal standards matter most.

Because at that hour, when no one’s clapping or grading your performance, your motivation can’t come from the outside. It has to come from within. That’s when the quality of your work shows your character. Not because someone’s watching, but because you are.

I’ve seen guys sweep the site at the end of the day like their own mother was coming to inspect it. I’ve seen a foreman reset five pavers because they were half a centimeter off. Did the client notice? Probably not. But he noticed. And that’s the point.

Self-Critique Is a Craft in Itself

People sometimes mistake self-critique for negativity. But real self-critique isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about being honest. It’s about reviewing your own work with the same critical eye you’d apply to someone else. You ask: Could I have done that better? Was that the cleanest cut? Did I rush through the last hour?

I critique my own work constantly. Not because I doubt myself, but because I respect the craft. I’ve torn up a finished edge more than once because it didn’t sit right with me. That voice in your head, the one that says, “It’s fine, but it’s not great”, you have to learn to listen to it. That’s where growth happens.

We don’t improve by getting a pat on the back. We improve by being willing to admit there’s still more to learn, more to refine, more to master.

The Standard You Walk Past

One of my mentors once told me, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” That stuck with me. If you let something slide today, even something small, that becomes your new baseline. The next day, it’s easier to let something else slide. Before you know it, you’ve lowered your own bar, and you didn’t even notice it happened.

That’s why personal standards matter so much more than external ones. Clients may say, “Looks great!” but if you know it could be better, then it isn’t great. If your name is going on that job, make sure it’s something you’re proud to stand next to.

At Paving Arts, that’s the mindset we try to build into every job. We don’t rely on someone else to hold us accountable. We hold ourselves accountable.

When No One’s Looking

There’s a saying I like: character is who you are when no one’s watching. I believe that applies to work, too. Real professionalism is doing excellent work whether or not anyone sees it. That extra care you take to seal an edge properly, to clean up at the end of the day, to measure twice even when you’re running behind, that’s the stuff that builds your reputation over time.

Most of the jobs I’m proudest of weren’t the biggest or flashiest ones. They were the ones where everything just clicked. Where every line was clean, every stone sat right, and we finished knowing we gave it our all. That satisfaction doesn’t come from applause. It comes from knowing you honored the work.

Compete With Yesterday’s Version

If you want to grow—whether in construction or any other craft, you’ve got to stop looking sideways and start looking backward. Compare yourself to who you were six months ago, not to someone else on Instagram or another guy on the job.

Ask yourself:

• Do I notice details today that I would have missed last year?
  
• Can I do this task faster and better than I used to?
  
• Have I raised my floor, not just my ceiling?
  

That’s what it means to compete with yourself. It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better. Better than you were before. More precise. More efficient. More consistent.

And the crazy thing is, when you focus on that—on raising your own standards—the rest follows. The reputation. The trust. The respect. It all comes, not because you asked for it, but because you earned it.

Keep Pushing

There’s no finish line in craftsmanship. You don’t “arrive” one day and stop learning. There’s always another detail to master, another mistake to learn from, another job that challenges your skills.

So keep pushing. Not because someone’s watching, but because you care. Because the pride in doing it right is worth more than a trophy. Because you know the difference between “good enough” and “the best I could possibly do.”

Compete with yourself. Every day. That’s how excellence is built—stone by stone, choice by choice, moment by moment.

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