Learning from Experience
I am slowly rebuilding a 1966 Ford Mustang – one of the many projects I have going on. I am sure you will hear a lot about my Mustang stories – It is fun, and it keeps me sane. It’s also good to have a hobby outside of work.
This is the first time I am getting down and dirty with rebuilding a car (outside of working on the normal maintenance of my regular car), so I am pretty much doing everything for the first time.
I can not help but realize how long it takes to figure something out for the first time. I am sure that all of you know that it takes a while to figure something out for the first time, but after that, it gets quicker.
The first time I rebuilt the brake system on the Mustang, it took about four hours. It has drum brakes on all four wheels, so I had to jack up the wheel, remove the tire, wheel bearing, cover, springs, pads, and brake cylinder. All had to be replaced on all four wheels.
So this first time took four hours. Actually, the first wheel alone took a good two hours, just figuring out how everything came apart and putting it back together. The second wheel took one hour, the the last two took thirty minutes apiece.
I actually had to go through all that twice, since by the last wheel, I had finally figured out how to do it right, so I had to go back and re-do my work. But it was quicker.
The first time takes the longest. It was good to finally figure it out, but I am not sure if I will ever use these skills again! I just replaced the carpet this weekend, but will I ever do that again?
Which gets me to how rebuilding a car relates to starting a business.
Jumping out, working for yourself for the first time, is an exhilarating experience. You will take on a lot of firsts. You will make some home runs, and, unfortunately, you will make some mistakes. The key is to not make big, business bankruptcy causing mistakes, but to catch your mistakes, fix them, and learn from them.
So why not learn from other peoples mistakes? Sure, there are many times you have to make your own mistakes – you are a different person, and your business is different. But you can learn to recognize these falters, and what to do about them. Learn as much as you can BEFORE you make the big mistakes.
When you get into business for yourself, go out and meet other small business owners. It’s funny how business owners drift toward each other. They all have the same stories, the same problems, and make the same mistakes.
I am sure you have heard about the Small Business Association. Go to their site, and check it out. They have many free classes and information. And if your city has a SCORE organization, go and talk to them. They are all volunteer business owners, and have a wealth of information. Check out local business groups and networking associations. Sure, you might not have time for it.
Make time.
You have to network and meet people to expand your business, contacts, and friends. And, you never know. If you make one customer out of networking – it will have paid off.
So, go out there and learn about business. Learn about your profession. Learn about what other people do to succeed, to grow, and to gain happiness.
And don’t forget to change the oil in your car.
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