posted
Like others here, for me this is the slowest time of year. Not a bad thing at all. Time to regroup and refocus.
Our business continues to change, a product of our times and where my head's at.
But through it all, nothing really has changed at all. The same thing motivates me now as did 25 years ago.
That is to realize my dreams.
Some dreams are always changing. Not because I can't make up my mind about what I want, but rather because we continually realise past dreams and then need to move on to new dreams.
But some important dreams have remained constant through the years...
These dreams are what truely motivate me and have always been stated in mission statements we have written and revised over the years.
The dreams are as follows... to be the very best I can be. The best in the world in my field of expertise. (long term goal) to constantly improve my skills, through whatever means are available. (long term goal) to do what interests me and do it with a great deal of passion. (this means turning down work that does not interest me) to have fun with those I work. Clients and staff, and especially Janis, my partner in life and business
I believe these goals keep my interest in my craft alive and fresh. Notice the lack of financial concerns in the goals. It is still an important part of business but not part of what gets me up in the morning, not in the least.
It allows me to tackle each day with a great deal of passion and vigor. I am excited about what I do and our customers notice.
Life is fun!!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!!
posted
Dan....yes life is fun. Just the other day my sister and her husband were over. I was designing a logo for a customer on my computer. They know of the ups and downs of the sign business as I have been doing it a long time. They asked why I don't get a 'real job'. My answer was simple. I don't want to sit in an office all day....go home...eat dinner..go to bed then get up and do the same thing all over again. Oh sure...when business is slow (like now) I need to find other ways to make money. The thing is...I don't require alot of money to be happy. We have a small house..nice yard..and a nice truck. My brothers and sister are in dept up their ying yangs. And you know what? I think without a doubt I am happier than they are. They make lots of money. Yeah..I think I will go get a 'real job' and join the human rat race. I dont' think so!!! Nah....I am going to go have a piece of homemade pumpkin bread and coffee and finish my logo designs.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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quote:to do what interests me and do it with a great deal of passion. (this means turning down work that does not interest me)
Thanks Dan, I needed a reminder about that. It is timely validation as I find business rather slow and have considered chasing after some jobs I really don't want.
In addition to watering down passion, doing what I don't like also water's down my position (stature) in the market and ultimately my credibility. In times of erratic cash flow, I need all the reminders I can get about staying the course. Thanks for the life line.
posted
Usually it's my puppy getting me up in the morning.
You guys make some good points. Up until 2 months ago, I had a job and was doing my sign work on the side, trying to get the shop off the ground and still have $ on a regular basis. Then I lost my job and the sign work became a full-time thing. I was planning on quitting my job and doing this full time, just not quite that soon. Spoke with my mother the other day and she asked me if I found a new job yet. I told her "How can I find a 'job' when I'm not looking? I work for myself." For the first time in a very long time, I can honestly say I love what I do. Work is spotty right now and I have some days where I just can't get motivated (I'm blaming this on the weather. It's getting colder and the leaves are falling and I just know that white junk is gonna start falling out of the sky soon).
I am happy, just like Cheryl. I don't have to do what some idiot tells me to do while he ruffles his chest feathers because he's the boss. I don't have to abide by someone else's work schedule. I work out of my home, so if I want to drink a little too much with my pool team and not show up in my shop til noon, that's my choice (I do keep the phone with me so if someone calls). Right now it's real scary trying to make sure bills get paid when work is spotty but I don't think I've ever been happier.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa
Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Go Kissy Go! There is nothing like being your own boss. You will bring in the bacon as you need it.
I am so slow that I will be going back on the road doing (Tractor-Trailer) long haul until things pick up again. But thats OK as I know it will work around again. Never say never to the fact of being a (Graphic Artist or Sign Person. Times can be rough and tough, But never give up on you stuff! Like they say To be a starving Artist!
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild!
Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I keep hitting the snooze button and my cat keeps jumping on me till I get up. hahaha, she's a great second alarm clock
Working in the body shop business as a full time job is rewarding for me. I can pay my bills most of the time and every day is different. Most of the people I work with are great, lots of laughs durring the day. We even took a little time to toss a football around yesterday, till it bounced off a windshield (good thing its a cheap rubber one).
I do love custom painting stuff, especially airbrushing. I only do that in my spare time (dont have much of that anymore). I dont know if it would be as much fun ifn I had to do it full time though. Besides, I like having 2 days a week off when I want. It would be great to sleep in on those days, but my cat, and my daughter still make sure I get up early on the weekends.
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Well it hasn't slowed down yet, maybe it won't. I have landscapers and other business owners who have accountants telling them to invest the year end profits in your business if you don't want to pay the tax man.
From October to December, nothing but trucks. Happens every year.
This week could not have been better. I had 3 days of window lettering ot do. It was unseasonably warm - even set a record 85 degrees today, and no wind
Tomorrow, cold and windy. Indian summer is over. Time to borrow a garage and pull everything inside.
Time changes saturday, so quiting time will be 4 pm to get packed up and home before dark.
Short days means more time in bed. Oh yeah.
Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
My son gets me up in the morning. He is an eager beaver to get to school. What a joy! This is my youngest that is still at home. He may be running the shower or knocking on my door to wake me up for my new "real" job. If it is not the sound of the shower or Pink Floyd music floating out of his room then it is the smell of the fresh air coming through the windows. I stretch pull myself out of bed to give our loyal pup a scratch and let the meower in. Then to the OJ and I am finally awake. And it is usually the thought of the new day's job that has lingered through the night. I always try to plan activities for myself that stimulate my soul, everyday. I have my sign business going too, and it is at it's peak, when usually others' businesses are winding down. Thankfully, my sign biz deals with contractors and carpenters that have large buildings to have me letter their big vehicles if I do that. Anyway the thought of waking up to life itself is a great thing to motivate me. * the reason it is great to have the buildings is that my lettering jobs go all year round and that is great.
[ October 25, 2001: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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To be a starving Artist! 
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