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Every now and then I get that shocking realization that I'm the only person I know in my local group of friends, that is sincerely happy with what he does. I'm in my 60s now, and I still wake up every morning with some level of excitement as to what the day may bring! It just amazes me that at my age, I STILL feel this way! Am I the ONLY ONE, or are there more of you out there!?
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs
1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-520-778-5879
Posts: 2121 | From: Prescott, Arizona, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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Bob..I'm with you! I'm gonna be 57 in two months and I wake up in the morning and am happy to start work.
Of course it helps that what a lot of folks here consider work is what I consider "fun".
If your circle of friends is like ours, it doesn't include a lot of self employed folks, but people who work 9-5, maybe "punch a clock" and have no real interest in their job any more. THEY are the one's who REALLY hate getting up in the morning.
ALSO..at our age, Bob, the very act of waking up in the morning is sometimes cause for celebration!!!!!!!!!!!!!
------------------ Dave Grundy AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@quadro.net www.quadro.net/~shirley
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Happy as can be with the work I do, but do not like the hassle of management.. I am small only have 3 full timers plus Wife and self. Smaller is better!!
------------------ Steve Garver Iola Computer Products Iola, Kansas sgarver@kscable.com
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I'm happy with what I do. Is this the only thing in life for me? No. My first love is my family. Not that it isn't like that for others; here's my angle. Being a mom is new for me and after a long wait, it's where I'd prefer to apply all my energy these days because my little guy is so young. But I still need to pay the bills too.
So as much as I wish I could take a hiatus from biz, I still wouldn't want to get out of it completely. It's great doing your own thing.
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I'm pretty darn happy.. I dont have much stress or anything to bring me down since I've eliminated that aspect from my life..
The most drama I've had to deal with in the past two years is a truck tire that pulled a "Firestone" last weekend on the highway, but it didnt cause any real problems. It twisted the lower part of the truck bed a bit because the loose tread yanked out the body support, but that's easily repairable.
Other than that.. things are smooth sailin' out here in the desert.. the hardest decision I have to make everyday is which beach I want to relax at on any particular afternoon. =)
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I'm happy with what I'm doing. I get to spend alot of time with my wife and kids now that I work for me and I really enjoy the sign business. I really enjoy learning a new trick or technique. I guess I'm proof that money is not the root of happiness. I've been at signs full time since August '00 and money has been a real struggle, health insurance for the family is nearly $500 a month. I had a great job money and benefits wise, I had it easy, but I was miserable getting out of bed everyday. I love getting up now. Although I do need to sell a few more signs a day to feed the kids a little easier.
We have realized some huge goals this last year and have gone through some pretty big changes business wise. The changes were planned and went that way mostly. It was one of the hardest years we have had financially and yet we achieved more than we ever had in the past in one year as well. Mixed blessings. Opportunity never comes at a convenient time.
The best part is the best part is yet to come!! I am still dreaming huge dreams and am afforded the chance every day to work towards those goals (sometimes just a little).
We have working hard but also have had a blast every step of the way. And each day the horizon looks bright as we walk towards it.
I am also blessed in that I am working with my family every day and enjoy every minute of this as well.
No one tells me what to do every morning as my own list of stuff is way too long all by itself. But what I can't accomplish today will easily wait until tomorrow.
So yup' I'm happy!
-dan
------------------ Dan Sawatzky Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Cultus Lake , British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.ca
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I could not be happier. I could not feel more blessed. My life is a good life. Sometimes I have to watch what I say with my friends and acquaintences because I don't wish to come across as smug or self absorbed. The fact is, in my marriage we have total control of our destiny. There is no greater feeling than knowig that you are personally responsible for your own success and that even your "failures" can be lessons learned.
It's really great to hear that there are more people out there who feel as blessed as I feel.
Thanks for speaking up!
~Rich
------------------ Rich Diltz In Sacramento for now, but who knows where next
I am a newbee to the sign biz and absolutely love working each day. I still have a part-time job (which I hate more and more each day), and am really looking forward to the day I can quit it and work for myself 100%. Right now, I'm kinda slow, so I'm learning new things. I'm in the middle of doing some antique looking signs (like in the step-by-step here). Hopefully business will pick up and I'll be putting them aside to finish another day, but even if not, I will have learned new techniques, opened a new market segment and had some fun with paints.
My biggest problem is my friends. The majority work for someone else. I have tried explaining to them that working strange hours and Saturdays (install jobs) don't bother me. They have a fit about working weekends and try to tell me I shouldn't do that. I have explained it enough that I get cranky about it now. I tell them, if they are happy doing what someone else tells me to, when they tell them, watching the clock and only making the little money someone else thinks they are worth, fine. I'm not. (I know the customers are my bosses, but I can fire them ). I have a client I have developed a friendship with. He is my age, has his own business and understands in the beginning, your life almost has to revolve around your business 24/7. When everything starts getting to me, I'll stop at his shop to BS a while. We have the same attitudes about business and not working for anyone else anymore, etc. Really helps when the majority of my friends don't get it and start bugging me. By the way, one of the antique signs is for him. To thank him for being a great client (tells me "whatever you think" and always loves what I think and has referred a ton of work to me), because I needed ideas on what to put on these prototypes and to make up for all the shop time he's lost when we BS.
------------------ Chris King Paper Works & Graphix Indiana, PA
Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I dunno... working for myself.. well.. my boss is lazy and kinda disorganized... I think I'd be a lot happier if I worked for Dan Sawatsky for a couple of months. heh LE
------------------ LazyEdna in RL known as Sara Straw from southern Utah 5 National Parks within 3 hours drive Red Rock Heaven
Posts: 776 | From: Aurora, Utah, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm happy, but not so content. I worry about retirement and how I'm gonna pay for any hospitialization for me or my wife should medical problems come up in the next few years.
Even though I feel like I'm standing on a battlefield with no armor, I'm happy. Just a litte nerveous.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I know that I am the only one that can make myself happy....so I choose happiness....simple, heh?
------------------ Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun"
Posts: 1001 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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I can't count how many "jobs" I had before starting my business. Never worked antwhere for more than 5 years. I have been in business 14 years now, and still look forward to getting started every day.
Am i happy?
I'm happier than a mosquito on the town drunk!!!
------------------ Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane.
Posts: 2314 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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happy?....with my life....well..it didnt turn out to be what my dreams were when i was in my 20's...but how many got all their wishes...still would like to hit the lotto, go live next island(maui) over from roger, and not have to chase another job, so i can make the money, to pay the bill for the truck i drive to that job, to make the money .etc etc, etc. to be able to have a pottery wheel and do tia chi till iam old and feeble....but i look around and see some who got it worse...so i dont complain much...got the mobile sign shop i wanted...a nice garden that will have veggies...a woman that loves me for who and what i am....a roof over my head....sleep in till 10 am... no time clock to punch....iam 56 and still healthy...so all in all..yea...iam happy....
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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When I was younger I would stress myself out at the most miniscule things. I think happiness comes as you get older as one tends to appreciate life more, and what the heck if #&^$ happens!! These days I don't mind if I even lose the odd customer, because there are just so many decent people in the world to make up for the cranky folks.
------------------ Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesig@dingoblue.net.au Downunder "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" - Confucius
Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Why shouldn't we be happy, we are doing something we love and someone is actually paying us for it. What could be better. A wise man (Ronnie Dion-Dion Signs) once told me " Kid, Paint signs because you love to paint signs and the money will come automaticlly." I try to remember this every day as I work in my one man shop in my basement. I have seen to many sign painters get bigger than they need to and start to hate the business over time. I don't ever want to be like that. SMILE!!!!
------------------ Rob Larkham RL Graphic D-Sign Chester, MA rldsigns@aol.com
Posts: 517 | From: Chester, MA | Registered: May 2001
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Here I am at 73 and still going strong. A lot of people say they wish they were young again. Not me, I'm having the time of my life. Even with a totally disables wife. A great family and grand children. When invited to Letterhead meets, it is like walking 3 feet off the ground. I have always felt sorry for all the people who never find a job that keeps them as happy as us.
------------------ Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. Little Ferry, NJ billsr@riedelsignco.com
Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I have found that happiness or true joy has nothing to do with my circumstances but rather the realization of higher priorities. Sure there are good times and bad times... right now its a good time, business is good, I really enjoy my work, I love watching my kids learn and discover new things, and I have an incredible wife who can actually put up with me... doesnt get much better than that.
------------------ Brian Stoddard Expressions Signs A few puddles east of Seattle
Posts: 790 | From: Monroe, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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80/20- I feel for some of us it's a learned thing...I definitely feel blessed. I love the no clocks and I'll trade week-end working to have MONDAY OFF! I love that people love my work & I love making them happy. However I hate when a customer uses her sign for every aspect of advertising when it was clearly explained she should purchase the logo design first...or I hate everyone stealing the groundhog I spent hours designing and It soon becomes public domain (Punxsutawney Phil) so I just designed myself a better one and moved on. I hate cronically late customers that always need stuff in a week and pay in 45-75 days...but I've learned to bill them differently to keep myself sane. I've learned that adding a rush charge makes them willing to WAIT their turn. I've learned to re-think every situation so I end up happy cuz I beyond words love this business. And my son, 3 dogs and cat like having me here all day too!...I think?
------------------ Robin McIlvaine RM Signs & Vehicle Graphics Punxsutawney, Pa 814-938-3022 signlady@penn.com
posted
80/20- I feel for some of us it's a learned thing...I definitely feel blessed. I love the no clocks and I'll trade week-end working to have MONDAY OFF! I love that people love my work & I love making them happy. However I hate when a customer uses her sign for every aspect of advertising when it was clearly explained she should purchase the logo design first...or I hate everyone stealing the groundhog I spent hours designing and It soon becomes public domain (Punxsutawney Phil) so I just designed myself a better one and moved on. I hate cronically late customers that always need stuff in a week and pay in 45-75 days...but I've learned to bill them differently to keep myself sane. I've learned that adding a rush charge makes them willing to WAIT their turn. I've learned to re-think every situation so I end up happy cuz I beyond words love this business. And my son, 3 dogs and cat like having me here all day too!...I think?
------------------ Robin McIlvaine RM Signs & Vehicle Graphics Punxsutawney, Pa 814-938-3022 signlady@penn.com
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Oh, don't get me started on how dissapointing it is working for The Mouse! Lenny lives - he's an "art director". I always look forward to the signs I'm doing for my own shop but the day to day grind of watching the clock at the Big D, and waiting for Friday so I can go do some REAL sign work is too depressing. I'm only here for the money and that's the wrong reason, but it's temporary. Once I get the bills covered and a nest egg I'm bound for happy land to try, try again. Even though it's a roller coaster ride working for one's self is much more rewarding.
------------------ "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Signmike@aol.com Mike Languein Doctor of Letters BS, MS, PhD ___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
posted
i was 'splaining to my friends that i wanted to go to a letterhead meet, and they were suprised to hear that y'all (we all?) go on vacation to paint signs. that's a definition of happiness.
------------------ :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: San Francisco :: :: don't blame me... i'm just a beginner ::
Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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i feel like i'm where i'm supposed to be in my life's path. that makes me happy cuz it means i'm comfortable where i am.
so many times in my life, i have felt like a fish out of water. that would make me so unhappy. i'd feel chained to a job where someone else runs my life. spending more time with undesirable co-workers than friends and family. working in an unhealthy office building with no fresh air, getting severe headaches from the fluorescent lighting. living on salad and diet coke, cuz sitting on your secretarial butt all day makes it impossible to keep fit.
there came a point where i was pacing circles, thinking, "this is wrong, the hours of my life are draining away here. i've got to be here on earth for something more. more than a body filling an unsatisfying job for the reward of a paycheque every two weeks..." if i'd stayed in that lifestyle, i'd be a very unhappy person now. probably with ulcers and lord knows what.
and, lo and behold, there was!!! and here i am. when i'm working, it's creative, using my mind and hands. and, when there's absolutely nothing to do, i don't have to stay "at work" cuz the boss says so. i can go play, or find more work, or whatever i want to do.
so many of my friends, the 9 to 5ers, are unhappy and whine (YUK!). I have a friend who complains about how much she hates office work, but, she keeps taking courses that will keep her there forever...accounting, office computer programs, etc, etc....
Another friend making 50 grand a year, complaining. said, he wished he could have a stress free job like mine (i was delivering pizza part-time to make ends meet). then he took several months of stress leave....perfect opportunity to change your life. but no, he's back to the hated job, still complaining.
and me, well, i am managing on my business full-time now, and don't have to deliver pizza, which makes me soooooo much happier!!
plus, i have a fabulous sweetie, fabulous dogs, fabulous family and friends....
like everyone else, i just want to be rich, too!!!!!
posted
Hey, Scoot - I put in for my vacation to be on a Thurs - to - Monday. My supervisor scratches his noggin and says "Why don't you take it Mon - Friday and get the two weekends - 9 days?" "Because, the LetterHead Meet is on the weekend and I need a couple days' for travel and wind-down."
They don't get it. Ha ha, well, I'll be happy in September...
------------------ "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Signmike@aol.com Mike Languein Doctor of Letters BS, MS, PhD ___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
posted
yup......i turned 60 in january, and my work is just getting better all the time!!!!god, i just love to make stuff !! we are indeed a blessed bunch !!! vance
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