You Don’t Always Have to Play the Popular Game
I have been approached many times to discuss what was the best investment I ever made. After being asked that several times I finally realized that the best investment was the one I chose NOT to make. In other words if I had made the investment I would have lost a lot of money. I have way more money today because I walked away.
I’m not trying to be “cute” about investments or come across as a smarty pants. In business, having patience and self control are critical to long term survival. Humble submission to disciplined principles of control of your return on investment is essential.
Wise business choices don’t always follow trendy or popular positions, good financial choices are often viewed as “contrarian” in nature. When the world “zigs”, good choices often times mean “zaging”. Good operators understand this because they are generally leary of high pressure sales, marketing schemes and politics. Many “popular” opinions are nothing more than strong marketing campaigns with week product, delivery and value systems or worse yet… bad math/science. Independent operators (or all wise business people) are independent and careful thinkers who accept responsibility for their choices. They usually do their own math/science.
There are many examples of people who get rich through luck. However, in order to keep the wealth the person must be wise.
I have also been asked how to get rich. Most people who find out I’m an accountant assume I know how to become wealthy. Its usually not a fare question because of all the wealthy people I know, none of them have accumulated it the same way.
I have a standard answer now that I reply to those questions. The best way to get wealthy is to work hard and gain wisdom. The goal is never to gain wealth at all costs but first to seek wisdom at all cost. There are definitely times when money/wealth comes second to gaining wisdom. Focusing on wise behavior as a priority first (before money) builds the foundation for keeping it. Wisdom not only PRODUCES wealth but MAINTAINS your wealth at the same time.
A famous linebacker had an interview with a comedian. The linebacker asked the comedian what they would do if they new a 310 pound guy was going to be rushing towards them wanting to level them? How many more bench presses would you do? How much more bulk muscle would you build? The comedian replied, none… I’d step aside and let him pass. Not only was that funny it was wise. We don’t have to fight every battle. We don’t have to play every game just because its exciting or trendy to do so. Wisdom requires patience and humility.
I was fortunate to attended the 2014 truck world convention. While there I performed a very quick informal interview to about 1000 independent operators. I found out that about 70% of them drove pre-emission trucks. That means that as a whole operators avoided the new untested emission equipment that was being sold at the time. As a general observation that collective choice was wise. They avoided playing a game they saw could end them up in a financial hospital.
Some operators (and even carriers) have avoided playing games with equipment by purchasing “gliders” or even deleting technology. They do so to avoid being hit by a 310 pound offensive linemen.
When/if the ELD rules are fully implemented everyone is wondering what impact it will have on Canadian trucking. Will there be technology that will circumvent it or will the market rates be adjusted for their affect? I guess time will tell.
The trucking industry too often views operators as unpredictable and non-trainable. In some regards the industry is right, its very much like herding cats. If independent operators are responsible for their own future, they must be left free to be wise or foolish. They should be able to buy what they want, when they want and service it how they want it serviced. They should also be left to sell their asset and not play the game any more. It’s their asset, their future, their business. The wise ones will make the right choice.
