Michael P is right about 2012

[dhart]

Michael P is right about how we should approach 2012
We just need to be unleashed and freewheeling down the tracks of time unbound by rail or road to travel to destinations near or far chasing dreams and aspirations wherever the rays of hope lead us; wherever we chose to go. Ah, I’m feeling better already.
 

 
Or you can once again be tied to the tracks of time by the invisible hand of fate, left to perish in the path of the locomotive of dashed dreams
under the hard cold wheels of reality............
Your choice!
Happy New Years

[michael p.]

Happy New Year dhart!

[Suprdave]

This is the last year of the world, I am gonna live it up and buy what I want.
Knowing my luck the world wil then not end and I will have to pay for the rest of my life.

really though, I look forward to this year as all years in the past have been better and better for me and my family.

Hope everyones elses is the same!!!!!

[BDrake]

Kinda sounds like the Matrix, the blue pill / red pill realities!!!lol

[Brandon Wilbur]

I agree!!!!I am SICK of hearing people say the economy this or the economy that!!SHUT UP and dig deep to do what makes your business succeed !!

[tviper56]

Wise words Brandon. I think any successful business person has to do this more so now than ever. People have to remember that every customer should be treated like the only customer or there is someone out there wanting to make them their customer. We are in a business that is funded by discretionary dollars. By that I mean that people usually use extra money to have something mounted. They don't mind paying if they get quality and service. Not one or the other but both. Some people can't deliver and they won't be in this business long. Keep digging friend!

[mvernelson]

If I die tomorrow, I wont have any regrets of not living out my own personal dreams, providing my family with the great things they deserve and not procrastinating the sheer enjoyement of life!

[Lone Wolf Taxidermy]

My life has been a roller coaster and I have enjoyed most of it....All my achievements have been of my own doing and all my mistakes the same. There are still thrills, chills and spills I will surely encounter and endure  .... BUT................

If I die tomorrow ... I'll be dead and won't give a $hit.....

[michael p.]

You know, here's the deal.  I just read a post by Lonnie Travis and it is unimaginable what his wife went through.

People complain about everything and at times that is understandable.... but what drives me nuts is the ones who complain about things they have (and should not have) no control over.... like their competitors price.  Excuse me, but who gives a [expletive deleted] what our competitors charge, it's none of our business.  I honestly could not tell you what one of my 6 competitors here locally in this town of 3500 charge.  I had a customer come in and laughingly say 'so & so finally raised his price to $300!' LOL.... the conversation ended there because there will be no gossip about other local taxidermists in my shop and I do not care what they charge.  There price does not affect my business, my work and my attitude affect my business.  They cannot make or break me, only I can do that.

I'm going to tell some of you a cold hard truth here.  It may hurt, but soak it in because it's what you need to know.  If you are not getting much business and you think it's because of the guy charging $250-$300..... you are wrong.  You are not getting business because you made the mistake of making the $250 guys customers your clientele.  You have to market yourself, business will not just fall in your lap.

I'm not rich, I don't stack a $1,000 every day in the safe, but I do pretty damn good at this gig.  Now let's look at it realistically.  I am a highschool drop out with a 10th grade education, I have one of the most severe cases of ADD that is known to most people, I am a recovering alcohol and Drug addict, I have a horrible case of scoliosis, I suffer from drop foot (which is why I wear sneakers every day) which keeps me in constant pain and I have to support another family financially because of excruciating circumstances....what's your damn excuse?!   guess what?  That's LIFE! You take all this little stuff on the chin with a $h!t eating grin and prepare yourself for when the $h!t really hits the fan.

Every day I wake up I thank God that I get to see another ray of light.  So many will never have that possibility tomorrow as today is their last day on this earth.  I feel sometimes I am the lucky one for having gone through such a horrible experience like addiction.  You see, I've been through hell and it was all my own doing, it's easy to feel sorry for yourself when you're drunk.... but you know deep inside it's all you're own fault.  I think my experience made me what I am today, I've had a lot of friends die who did less and I am just lucky to be alive.... actually I'm alive for a purpose and I find that more and more every day.  I had a disease called alcoholism....but there is a falsehood being played out there.  Too many people use the 'disease' aspect as a crutch.  They get disability and sympathy because of this 'disease'.... sorry, that's a load of BS. Cancer, polio, diabetes.... that's a true disease. A cancer patient does not have a choice if their disease goes into remission and stays there, an alcoholic does.  The more people who suffer addiction realize it is THEIR choice then the less rationalization and justification for having the addiction there will be.

Sorry to go off on a rant or tangent, but these are a few things that drive me nuts..... excuses and blame.  Unless we have a true life threatening disease such as cancer, a close spouse or child who is dying or sick, stop the whining, get off your ass and do it!

A friend of mines grandpa said it best when asked about the possible foreclosure of his farm.  He had fought in the South Pacific, lived through hand to hand combat and had the scars to prove it.  When asked about the possibility of a banker taking his farm he laughed and said quote 'we survived 3 days on that island with no food and barely any ammunition, at 6:00 on that last morning we had Japs in our laps for 2 straight hours.... from that day forward I swore if the Japs couldn't kill me that day, there's not a [expletive deleted]ing thing a banker could do to touch me!'

He lived his life with that attitude and I think more of us should also.  We only walk this earth once.... take chances, enjoy it..... stop blaming others for any lack of success.  Man or woman, pave your own way.  If this drunk highschool drop out can make it in this industry, what's your excuse not to?

[mvernelson]

Well said Michael

[Tohickon]

I wish more people saw it like you said it Michael.

[luv2bowhunt]

Thanks Michael, that just fired me up and pushed me to make some decisions that need to be made as well as motivating me to become what I want to become and not what other people think I should be. Thanks!

[Brandon Wilbur]

Thats right!!!Now when yall get up in the am tighten them boot straps a little tighter(except for you michael...lol) and pave your path!!You dont wear velcro strapped tennis shoes do you???jk