Ten things I learned This Year

[inkman996]

here's what I learned this year:

I was fully expecting that by this time printing part would be smooth sailing. DUH! I've talked to several large companies and they all say that they run into trouble all the time. Some more than others, but still at least 10 times as often as I would expect. In most industries, once you set up the processes, the only thing left to overcome is the efficiency. Not in our field. The staggering amount of variables that have to be controlled, makes it impossible to predict the exact times for production and in some cases the projections are several orders of magnitude off! Yes, it gets better with time, but it is never really solved from what I am being told.
 
pierre

I totally agree Pierre the variables in our industry is staggering to say the least.

Any time I hear a guru claim to never have issues because they some how have it all figured out in advance I know is BS. Glad to see most of us still live in the real world.

[theSignShop]

Nothing is ever easy...if it seems easy to you. then you're missing something.

[Shawn (EIP)]

1. I work too hard and don't get paid for it.

(2 - 10) see #1

[Homer]

#1) it's only money, money is dirty paper. .

#2) time is more important than anything, so close up shop and enjoy life.

#3) don't bring it home.

[sweetts]

#3) don't bring it home.

Crap I need to move my shop  lol

Sent  from samsung gem(the worst smart phone ever)

[screenxpress]

it is hard to learn at my age not because I am smart but because I get dense and narrow minded as I get older....

here are some of the lessions that stuck to me this year..
#1 customers believe shirts are always cheaper on the internet, I should get a web site so my prices LOOK LOWER
#2 the new customer that stands before you bashing their last printed will soon be standing somewhere else and bashing guess who.....
#3 ladies buy shirts like they buy shoes 4 sizes too small to fit correctly
#5 the better you get at something the harder it is to get better at something
#6 everybody knows more about your business than you do
#7 embrace your competition, it will wake you up and make you better at what you do or make you do something your are better at
#8 life is tough get a freakin helmet
#9 adapt....improvise....overcome# 10 at the end of the day it is just a box of tee shirts get over it

mooseman

I personally like #9...OOoorah! (USMC class of '69)

Thanks.  My son is now a Reservist (CWO2).

[Shawn (EIP)]

#1) it's only money, money is dirty paper. .

#2) time is more important than anything, so close up shop and enjoy life.

#3) don't bring it home.

Too bad the people that want my money don't see things that way... and the vicious cycle continues.

[Northland]

My new rule #1.... don't try to be all things, to all people.
As a part-timer, I need to focus on what I can do well and let the rest of the work go to shops are interested in being FULL SERVICE.

[GraphicDisorder]

This seems fun, here's a few of mine from this year.

1. Unlike what the peanut gallery said, A 2 person shop can easily afford a mid range auto, and can save time with it. 
2. It's easy to use a auto, the learning curve was small.
3. People that claw at you to make a sale, are probably selling you something "less", people that give you a price/info and leave you to decide, are probably selling the better product.  Be smart enough to see that.
4. This industry is really smaller than I thought. 
5. There are only so many hours in the day, hire someone or build a bunk room in the shop.
6. People will show their true colors, give them time. 

[Frog]

Here's the magic that I learned a few years back that greatly reduced the stress level and helps me sleep though the night, (or at least get back to sleep rather than waking in a sweat and worrying).

When something is out of your control, even if it is not good, don't let it eat you up. What good does that do anyway?

A similar sentiment is in ftembroidery's signature, and also popular with twelve step programs:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

[tpitman]

it is hard to learn at my age not because I am smart but because I get dense and narrow minded as I get older....

here are some of the lessions that stuck to me this year..
#1 customers believe shirts are always cheaper on the internet, I should get a web site so my prices LOOK LOWER
#2 the new customer that stands before you bashing their last printed will soon be standing somewhere else and bashing guess who.....
#3 ladies buy shirts like they buy shoes 4 sizes too small to fit correctly
#5 the better you get at something the harder it is to get better at something
#6 everybody knows more about your business than you do
#7 embrace your competition, it will wake you up and make you better at what you do or make you do something your are better at
#8 life is tough get a freakin helmet
#9 adapt....improvise....overcome# 10 at the end of the day it is just a box of tee shirts get over it

mooseman

I personally like #9...OOoorah! (USMC class of '69)

Thanks.  My son is now a Reservist (CWO2).

So, is he home safe, meaning the US, and can he pry that Softail out of your hands? He probably crapped when he saw the odometer, or did you pull what I used to in college when I "rented" a car from the school?

[screenxpress]

No, he's been back all this year....and kept possession of that Softtail, ,lol.   I did get it for a week, but that was it, lol.

We saw him at diner tonight and he rode it to the restaurant.

Being in reserves, he's always eligible for deployment. 

[Chadwick]

10 things I re-learned this year...hmm.
Good lists all. Feeling too cynical to add to it properly.
So, f*ck it.
How about a good tune with a chick in the vid.

Kopek "Love Is Dead"

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
 

[stitches4815]

"Hey Mooseman, I love #8. Is it copyrighted?" 
don't thinhk so I would go for it, if they haul your a$$ into court we will all send you a shirt that says life is tough get a freakin helmet
mooseman

Sorry Mooseman and Coyote, Denis Leary coined that phrase years ago. 

[screenxpress]

In that case, I would print it, lol. 

I doubt that Denny would care.