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Just think
Steve Ebels
Member Posts: 904
Just think about this.
We just had 200 guys in a room together and had a ball. Now think about the fact that nearly all of these people did not know nor were even aware of the others existence 4-6 years ago. Along with that, stop for a moment to reflect on the amount of knowledge that has flowed from one person or another to hundreds if not thousands of other people visiting this site.
This was not even do-able 10 years ago. Where are the next 5 years going to take us? Or the next 10? Exciting and scary both at the same time.
The point I'm making is this. We have to adapt ourselves to the changes that come along and they are coming at an ever increasing rate of speed.
Some of the skills we use everyday are a hundred years old. However, it will be a stretch to keep up with all the new stuff coming in the very near future. Learning these new things will take constant effort. Not huge amounts of effort but nearly daily effort because things are changing at such a rapid rate. If you don't stay abreast of them you'll fall behind and then it WILL take a huge effort to catch up. We also have to be adaptable to these changes and new technologies. We have to be able to make a jump from one thing or occupation to another if you will. What if a viable form of fusion based energy were developed 2 years from now. How would that effect the heating and cooling trades? Would we still have jobs? Certainly gas and oil burning appliances would become obsolete. There would be no need for them with clean un-exhaustable electric energy. What would we do, where would we fit into that picture? Admittedly that's quite a stretch but it's an interesting thing to ponder while driving down the road in your truck.
Here's a case and point from my own life. In 1995 I had been managing the hardware department of our family's business for 11 years. The bottom line wasn't looking as good as it had and I didn't have a clue what to do about it. I took a drive one day and added up the number of square feet of retail floor space in all the big box stores that had moved into the area. It was astounding. At that time it was over 3/4's of a million sq. ft. and it's way more than that now. Each one of these sq. ft. has to generate X number of $$$$ worth of sales. The handwriting was on the wall, so to speak. It didn't take a lot of number crunching to see that some of those $$$$$$ were going to come out of our normal amount of business. I made the decision to get into something else and find work outside of our traditional retail sales. That was heating because of a number of things to make a long story short. At that time I had assisted my wife's cousin in installing a grand total of about 6 furnaces and a whopping one (yes 1) boiler. My knowledge of the trade was thin to say the least. I read everything I could get my hands on and was learning a little here and there and then I discovered The Wall. What a gold mine of knowledge. I think I lurked for over a year before I summoned enough courage to post something. Don't even remember what it was. But..... man O man O man...... did this place accelerate my learning curve. (Thanks again Dan for hatching this idea) And that's my point. By embracing a new thing or technology you can adapt and excel at what you want to do.
I talked to a couple guys at Wetstock who were frustrated in their work. To them I say, Adapt, Improvise and Overcome. Be willing to, and dare to change some things if you have to. Stay positive even when the chips are all down and you've lost everything. Keep on scratching and clawing your way back up and you'll make it.
I just want to encourage all who read this to keep on reaching, striving, learning and growing, and never ever give up.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember who it is we give thanks to.
Whew........ waxing a little too philosophical for a Monday I think!!???? Time for The Lady Kathy to tuck me in before I go off the deep end.
It was probably the coolest thing I've ever been a part of in my life.
We just had 200 guys in a room together and had a ball. Now think about the fact that nearly all of these people did not know nor were even aware of the others existence 4-6 years ago. Along with that, stop for a moment to reflect on the amount of knowledge that has flowed from one person or another to hundreds if not thousands of other people visiting this site.
This was not even do-able 10 years ago. Where are the next 5 years going to take us? Or the next 10? Exciting and scary both at the same time.
The point I'm making is this. We have to adapt ourselves to the changes that come along and they are coming at an ever increasing rate of speed.
Some of the skills we use everyday are a hundred years old. However, it will be a stretch to keep up with all the new stuff coming in the very near future. Learning these new things will take constant effort. Not huge amounts of effort but nearly daily effort because things are changing at such a rapid rate. If you don't stay abreast of them you'll fall behind and then it WILL take a huge effort to catch up. We also have to be adaptable to these changes and new technologies. We have to be able to make a jump from one thing or occupation to another if you will. What if a viable form of fusion based energy were developed 2 years from now. How would that effect the heating and cooling trades? Would we still have jobs? Certainly gas and oil burning appliances would become obsolete. There would be no need for them with clean un-exhaustable electric energy. What would we do, where would we fit into that picture? Admittedly that's quite a stretch but it's an interesting thing to ponder while driving down the road in your truck.
Here's a case and point from my own life. In 1995 I had been managing the hardware department of our family's business for 11 years. The bottom line wasn't looking as good as it had and I didn't have a clue what to do about it. I took a drive one day and added up the number of square feet of retail floor space in all the big box stores that had moved into the area. It was astounding. At that time it was over 3/4's of a million sq. ft. and it's way more than that now. Each one of these sq. ft. has to generate X number of $$$$ worth of sales. The handwriting was on the wall, so to speak. It didn't take a lot of number crunching to see that some of those $$$$$$ were going to come out of our normal amount of business. I made the decision to get into something else and find work outside of our traditional retail sales. That was heating because of a number of things to make a long story short. At that time I had assisted my wife's cousin in installing a grand total of about 6 furnaces and a whopping one (yes 1) boiler. My knowledge of the trade was thin to say the least. I read everything I could get my hands on and was learning a little here and there and then I discovered The Wall. What a gold mine of knowledge. I think I lurked for over a year before I summoned enough courage to post something. Don't even remember what it was. But..... man O man O man...... did this place accelerate my learning curve. (Thanks again Dan for hatching this idea) And that's my point. By embracing a new thing or technology you can adapt and excel at what you want to do.
I talked to a couple guys at Wetstock who were frustrated in their work. To them I say, Adapt, Improvise and Overcome. Be willing to, and dare to change some things if you have to. Stay positive even when the chips are all down and you've lost everything. Keep on scratching and clawing your way back up and you'll make it.
I just want to encourage all who read this to keep on reaching, striving, learning and growing, and never ever give up.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember who it is we give thanks to.
Whew........ waxing a little too philosophical for a Monday I think!!???? Time for The Lady Kathy to tuck me in before I go off the deep end.
It was probably the coolest thing I've ever been a part of in my life.
0
Comments
-
I must say
that you were one of the highlights at TG for me.
If I have one complaint about the gathering, it is that it was too short.
You are a hero Mr.Ebels.
Don't you EVER forget that!!!!!
Your friend,
Mark H
To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"0 -
Awwwwwww Shucks
> that you were one of the highlights at TG for
> me.
>
> If I have one complaint about the
> gathering, it is that it was too short.
>
> You
> are a hero Mr.Ebels.
>
> Don't you EVER forget
> that!!!!!
>
> Your friend,
>
> Mark H
>
> _A
> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=
> 238&Step=30"_To Learn More About This Contractor,
> Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A
> Contractor"_/A_
0 -
Ramblin
I think we share the same out look on learning and doing. There are times when we want to "know" it gets frustrating when we can't get accurate answers.
I agree this site will get you on the right "path" to that accurate answer.
I wish we could instantly down load data from brain to brain. Do you ever wonder, the gigabyte capacity of the brain?
Downloading.......far out
al0 -
Awwwwwww shucks Mark
I ain't no hero. I just try to do everything the best I know how. That's not a lot different than most everyone else who was there.
I really did enjoy your company too. Along with pretty well everyone I had time to meet.0 -
Down loading
I watched ME and another guy ( sorry brain fart ) pass thier business cards by pointing their palm pilots at each other. Maybe you guys have seen this, but I was blown away.
Is that what we're coming to ? Vulcan mind Meld ?
The next meeting we'll just do a head butt, and pass the info back and forth
.
I think there was alot of info passed in a short time. Its way to short and I could have spent the whole weekend with just two of you and felt good about it. Your right Steve, my learning curve has had a huge surge in the last two years. All because of your guys.
Scott
To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"0 -
Wisconsin Voice
Steve,
It great to put names to faces, to places and to food. I can read your post and hear your accent.
Thanks for the jerky and the inspiring stories you shared.
Most of us have a lot more years in this trade than you, but I feel you have your head into it more than most.
From one who didn't post much in the past, I can tell you I'll be here alot now.
I met and talked to about 50 people. Guess I have about 150 to go.
Dale W. from Delaware0 -
Wetstock
Steve, you are are a class act! It was a pleasure to meet you. If you are ever in NJ look me up and we'll get some REAL Italian food!0 -
Jerky
At least we do something right in Michigan, eh Steve?
Good assessment my friend. If more contractors used the Internet instead of getting their warm and fuzzies from the local supply house, maybe people would start seeing us as we really should be -- professionals who keep up with technology. The Wallies are a perfect example of that.0
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