What I've learned along the way

Male stripper?

Door to door Flowbee salesman?

Thanks Just.

That was refreshing to read.

Got any plans to do something else?

Nate

Nothing really in mind. I've had just about enough of being a care giver. Cleaning up stuff not suited to mention here. Cooking, cleaning, cutting grass, scrubbing toilets, errands, hospital stays, listening to when she's going to die, fussing about money, smelling the god awful stench of Smithfield foods....and so on.

Maybe what I won't be doing is what I have mentioned. I'm thinking of a maintenance worker at some college. Perhaps a delivery driver for Coke, Pepsi or maybe Budweiser....anything other than this god forsaken life I'm living now.

What ever it turns out to be I'll never regret any time spent surveying. I have met in person and online some of the most upstanding folks..

Sorry for the bitchin'.....I'm done

Sham-wow spokesman?!

Seriously though, good luck with your future endeavors!

not to be rude or anything, but doesn't smithfield produce bacon and other glorious pork products? Keep your license. You never know when someone will call and need YOU.

Male stripper?

> Male stripper?

Or to take it one step further,

"Fred Garvin...male prostitute" (from the old SNL days)

but seriously, hope better things are just around the corner for you.

May I offer the following friendly amendments?

>1) Always return phone calls.

Except from 1-900 numbers and from realtors.

>4) Never criticize the competition. I'm human and make mistakes too.

Never hesitate to describe the shortcomings that you see in some inferior piece of work that another surveyor is reponsible for, as long as you have been hired as a professional to give that advice. If it rises to the level that it merits a complaint to the board of registration, never hesitate to say so.

>5) Work hard to meet your deadlines. If it appears I will be late then call them ahead of time and explain.

Try to mix up the excuses, though. "I missed a connecting flight in Anchorage and had to spend the weekend in Alaska on a pub crawl with Daryl Moistner" will have novelty the first time, but most likely not the second.

>6) Listen closely to clients and what they are asking for.

And then ignore the fact that they really would like to have about $10,000 worth of surveying for at most $1,000.

>8) Treat the clients with the same respect I would expect from them.

But get a retainer and a signed engagement letter first.

>9) I can work hard or I can work smart.

Or I can work easy or I can work dumb. You never know what will actually pay off, but head sweat usually does.

>10) Try to learn something new everyday.

But if you don't, don't worry about it. Who really needs to know how far it is by car from Monaco to Lichtenstein?

>11) I'm here for the benefit of the client, not the other way around.

But really, clients are also there for me. It's a symbiotic relationship.

>12) Be humble and thankful at the same time when complimented by a client.

Always ask yourself what they really mean. Clients like the strangest stuff that has nothing to do with the actual professional merits of the work.

>14) Never be defensive if a problem pops up and always be willing to admit you made a mistake. Good clients realize no one is perfect.

But before you hit that point, be damn sure that you've done what is reasonably necessary not to be wrong.

Craig, Sorry to read U R calling it a surveying day.

Are the guts really filled to the mouth?

Or is there a chance if you could change the surveying scenery that you would reconsider surveying as afte3r all it is a long time of experience to disappear into the ether.?

RADU

That's a good list. Maybe, after some time doing something else, you'll get an "itch" to try again.

I find myself at a similar crossroad and I'm hoping that a little "sabbatical" will help light the fire again.

Good luck and please keep posting.....you have so much to offer here. :good:

> That's a good list. Maybe, after some time doing something else, you'll get an "itch" to try again.

I can personally attest to the itch.

> ...I'm hoping that a little "sabbatical" will help light the fire again.

It does.

> Good luck and please keep posting.....you have so much to offer here. :good:

Agreed!

Fine words!

With a list like that, you can be a success at whatever you put your hands to. Good luck in every endeavor, Craig.

JBS

Welcome to my world. Sometimes it's just time to find another path.

I had dedicated my life to nothing but surveying. From the days where we were all TDD men, to the age of now.

Sometimes a change is needed. I made one. Maybe not the right one but I still have time to make another change but Surveying is not in my future. Of that I'm sure.

Best wishes to you Just. Follow your heart. That's all I can say. Sometimes you just need a change. It's been good for me.

I say "why quit now, just expand your horizons, you can always quit later"

Good to talk with you the other day Craig...

“I've also come to appreciate how important contemporaries can be...no matter how far away they are. RPLS and now BL have proven a great asset.”

That being said I hope you will stay on this board, your humor is enlightening.

Best wishes, in your future endeavors.

Surveying Instructors are pretty hard to find. Consider teaching what you know.

Cliff,
I have thought about that. I would love to get hold on a group of Jr. High students (before they get to high school) and explain surveying. Recommend classes to take in high school and run some field demonstrations. Heck...If I could even get 1 out of a 1000 to pursue a degree/license because of demo and talk with I would at least feel like I gave back.