The DYOJO

Helping contractors shorten
their DANG learning curve.

Content for contractors from The DYOJO

The DYOJO Podcast
The Be Intentional series of books
The DYOJO blog
The DYOJO library of contractor resources
Events for contractors
The DYOJO annual SOCK-raising competition
Property Restoration History

The DYOJO stands for The Do Your Own Job Dojo. We create content designed to help contractors shorten their DANG learning curve. Our modus operandi is to inform you whilst we also entertain you. In The DYOJO we call this INFOtainment.

Want to help us bring a one-day Contractor's Symposium to the Pacific Northwest?

We are working on a big hairy audacious goal to bring a one-day symposium to Tacoma, Washington for PNW contractors. I am in the initial stages of confirming we have enough sponsors and partners to afford this event.

We could use your help - see what we have planned so far and find out more on our events webpage. Let us know if you are interested in attending, sponsoring, or exhibiting.

Ready to shorten your DANG learning curve?

Watch or Listen to The DYOJO Podcast - helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curve
Buy a Book by The Intentional Restorer
Read The DYOJO Blog
Dig Into Property Restoration History
Check out the Property Restoration Resources Library
Join The DYOJO Mailing List

If you want to learn and gain more insight on what to do and how to do it, read his books and listen to his podcast. His material has taught me so much and helped me grow and become more confident in what we do every day. I can’t thank Jon enough for the difference he has made in my life and my career. " - John Slater, Owner Celtic Mold Assessments

What does it mean to "shorten your DANG learning curve"?

As a contractor, the gap between WHERE you are and WHERE you want to be is bridged by WHAT you need to learn. Closing that gap is accelerated by inputs and outputs.

Input: Those influences from outside of yourself that increase your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Output: Those elements from within yourself such as being honest, hardworking, and willing to learn.

Becoming smarter (wisdom) comes through working hard and being willing to learn. This lifelong learning process can be accelerated by learning from the mistakes, failures, and successes of others. This is what we mean by shortening your DANG learning curve.

* This infographic and text is an excerpt from Challenge Accepted, an upcoming book from Jon Isaacson

Jon truly has amazing insight into all facets of property restoration. His delivery is straight forward and provides very valuable information. Do yourself a favor and get all of his books. You will not egret it!" - Keith Nelson, Commercial Project Consultant Paul Davis USA

What's New from The DYOJO?

Online Estimating Course

Interactive eLearning Course based on the best-selling book How To Suck Less At Estimating: Habits For Better Project Outcomes by Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer.

6 Hours of self-paced instruction, eligible for 6 continuing education credits (CECs)

Unlike any course you have ever taken before. If you like to be overstimulated while you learn and desire to improve your estimating process, THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU. Jon Isaacson delivers practical knowledge and demonstrations in his signature "INFOtainment" style.

Habits For Better Project Outcomes:
Module 1: Dumb By Design vs. Dumb Design
Module 2: A Good Sketch Is A Good Start
Module 3: Project Outcomes Reflect Estimate Inputs
Module 4: Preparing To Be Profitable
Module 5: Leveling Up As An Estimator
Module 6: Estimating Is One Piece Of The Puzzle

Included in your purchase:

Digital copy of "How to Suck Less At Estimating" by Jon Isaacson broken down by the author himself
Knowledge checks
Certificate of completion
Estimatics - An Introduction to Estimating in Property Restoration and Reconstruction
eLearning Bonus. Practical Training for Everyone: Job site Behaviors including Tape, Tape, Tape; What is PPE; Don & Doff PPE, and materials provided by educational sponsors.

“Jon Isaacson hit the nail right on the head again with this one. So many tips for both "seasoned" and new estimating professionals. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that in all his books I find myself totally relating to his scenarios. Keep it up Jon! I cannot wait to see what books are to come.”

I love the way Jon writes, fun and witty. Through his work industry leaders gives great insight that most just don't have, and his personal experiences. Guaranteed you will laugh and learn something that you did not know before. His books are awesome." - Gabriel Kellogg, Claims Specialist Just Right Cleaning & Restoration

New Resources for Contractors

This podcast goes along with a recent C&R article titled "The 4 Modes of Profitability for Contractors." It was the first in a series to attempt to help new entrepreneurs, in-progress contractors, and aspiring persons in a position of leadership to better grasp the essential nature of overhead and profit (O&P) within the skilled trades. In this episode of Restoration Today, Jon Isaacson, the author of the first article and orchestrator of the entire series, walks through how contractors can help themselves and their team members form better mindsets and habits as they think through the four modes of profitability for contractors.

"An expert is somebody who knows what he's talking about through experience, training, and education. You cannot become an expert without all three.” - Bob Blochinger

As a guest for Episode 94 of The DYOJO Podcast, Bob Blochinger shares his thoughts on the roadmap to expertise. For a professional to seek and achieve expertise, they need to be able to:

Determine whether the information is reliable
Apply a scientific approach to their journey
Demonstrate a mastery of relevant knowledge

From his own experience Bob states, “Whatever questions, or problems, or whatever exists that needs explanation or evaluation, the expert needs to know what he's saying and how to explain it so that a regular person can understand.”

Construction Articles & Restoration Publications

Articles for Property Restoration Contractors and Insurance Claims Professionals

Insurance Nerds - Insurance, Careers and Technology
Claims Pages - Insurance Adjuster Resources
Cleanfax Magazine - Cleaning and Restoration Professionals
Construction Business Owner Magazine
Today's Insurance Professionals
Project Management (PM) Times - Resources for Project Managers
Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management - The UK's leading facilities management company
Business Analyst (BA) Times
FacilitiesNet
Medium
Facility Executive
YFS Magazine - Young, Fabulous and Self Employed
The Daily Positive
This Week in Facilities Management (FM)
E Zine Articles - waaaay back
ARES Restoration Blog

Recent Construction and Insurance Articles Published by Jon Isaacson

The Mindset and Habits for Claims Estimating Success as a New Independent Adjuster (ClaimsPages)
Reflections of the 75th Annual RIA Convention (R&R Magazine)
Resolving Insurance Claims Disputes with Bill Wilson – Book Review of When Words Collide (InsNerds)
Leadership Distinctives of an Industry Giant (R&R Magazine)

Leadership development resources from The DYOJO

The DYOJO has published three books to help you achieve your personal and team development goals.

NOW AVAILABLE in Kindle and paperback

(2022) So, You Want To Be A Project Manager? by Jon Isaacson, discussing the mindset and habits for the roles and responsibilities of project management
(2021) Be Intentional: Culture by various talented authors, discussing real world efforts to elevate workplace culture
(2020) Be Intentional: Estimating by Jon Isaacson, discussing the right mindset and habits for estimating insurance claims
Check out The DYOJO BLOG for articles written to help you shorten your DANG learning curve as an Intentional Restorer.

PUBLICATIONS from The DYOJO