Kids are growing up today in the best of times and the worst of times. Thursday we went to the Iowa Power Farming Show. There was lots of new paint including equipment and technology designed to make jobs faster, easier, and more productive.
However sometimes because life is faster there is less time for family. Because the manual labor side of life is easier the are less jobs for kids to help with. And because of our ability to produce more with less, we run the risk of raising a privileged generation in a culture that either doesn't have to or doesn't want to work.
How many of you remember sleeping under a mountain of covers in an unheated upstairs bedroom where your deodorant was froze on cold mornings. When you got up you could see your breath. You skipped two steps at a time because the stairs were so cold on your feet. You went out and chored before school and when you came in your Mom had a hot breakfast ready. Speaking of breakfast, after the Power Show we went to Perkins Restaurant.
Jan and I were in Sioux Center earlier in the week and enjoyed visiting Dordt College and catching up with friends, Erik and Barb. I was also privileged to get to visit with the ag professors. They are a dedicated bunch of guys that share a worldview with students that prepares kids not just for their careers but for life in general.
Mark runs a family restaurant in Algona. He and his three brothers from all over the country get together once a year and hang out at our cabin. Jan and I decided to look him up, say hello, and pick up a pizza for the ride home from Sioux Center. While looking for his restaurant we inadvertently drove on by and decided to turn around forgetting we were on a one way street. We also got to meet Algona's friendly police officer. See you in October Mark.
Back on the farm, February is alot about compiling, evaluating, and finishing the outcome of last year's business. It's not only tax time, a business needs concrete evidence whether or not it's keeping up in a changing environment.
Life is always changing. In 1995 I bought a $40 bag phone to use in the semi. You literally carried it in a bag. Then over the years phones got smaller and smaller. Today phones are getting smarter and they are going back bigger. That same change analogy applies for business.
Change will take you by the throat if you don't take it by the hand. So just like the phone market, folks that see possibilities before they become reality will have a head start. February is a good month to look ahead, make a plan, and then figure out how to make that plan happen.
After that office stuff it's always fun to get out in the shop, clear your head, get some dirt under your fingernails, and tackle a project. This is a Ford 7000 Kurt bought from his grandpa a couple of years ago.
As in business and life in general for that matter, the key to a job well done is all in the elbow grease and preparation.
At the end of the day it's rewarding to see cooperation, progress, and a plan come back together. And in business as in life, it's always important to give credit where credit is due. Another great job guys. Thanks Mike for shooting this one.
So yes, kids today are growing up in the best of times and the worst of times. Lets concentrate on the best of times. A positive attitude is 90% of the battle. And remember in business and in life in general people are more important than things. Have a good week.
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