The choices we make in life have a fundamental
impact on the description of the person we want to be. But here is the good news,
we have autonomy to make those decisions, choices and moments in our life count
for something if we are committed to reaching and sustaining our peak potential.  Vices can have a grip on this process.  In particular alcoholism can place a firm
stranglehold on inching forward in life. According to Statistics Canada, nearly
6 million Canadians aged 12 and over report heavy drinking at least once a
month. One in 5 Canadians aged 15+ met the criteria for “alcohol abuse or
dependence” over their lifetime.

Sean
Robinson is an Author, Speaker and Motivator who focuses on self-improvement,
mindset shifting and habit forming. He works in the construction industry, is a
volunteer firefighter. and lives with his wife & three children in Ontario,
Canada. Going Dry: My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking is his first book.

He’s an
Electrician, have worked in the construction sector for almost my whole life. I
started on a volunteer fire department in '03. Male dominance and toxic
masculinity have been everywhere around me and expected of me constantly.

What if I
don't want to participate, what if I decide to be different? Other than having
the job sites best (and worst) artists plastering your caricature and sexual
preferences (correct or not) on every lunch table and porta potty, its just
easier to play the game or not say anything. Unfortunately, you may not have
any friends and you get laid off because nobody likes you. On to the next job I
guess.

It is time
for the sector to be better. Anyone in the industry will tell you that there
are some very prehistoric rules, both written and unwritten and that "it's
always been this way."

Recently I
decided to take a break from drinking alcohol. When everyone around me stopped
laughing, asked me what my problem was, accused me of judging them for still
drinking and then added my picture to the previously mentioned porta potty
wall, I only had to get out of my own head.

This is
much harder than we think.

Out of
sight from my peers and far enough from the lunch trailer, I decided to open my
mind up to the world of self-help and betterment. So many things that were not
for the man I was and the man I was expected to me because of my social
circles. I could never admit to trying journaling, listening to self-help books
or podcasts. Reading, are you kidding me? Not only did I do all of these things
AND LOVE THEM but I wrote my own book about my journey to not drink alcohol. My
book Going Dry - My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking has been a life
changer. I hope it will change your life too.

Construction
and Firefighting, as well as many other male dominant roles, need to evolve a
bit. Let's get the word out and let's tell these big tough burly men that they
relax a little, appreciate some self-improvement, maybe a little Brene Brown or
Mel Robbins and not end up on the wall in the bathroom.

There have
been some amazing women in construction and firefighting as well. However, you
identify, this is for all of us.

My wife and
kids deserved better from me. He joined me this week to tell me more.

For more information: https://seanrobinson.ca/

Follow: @going.dry