"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve."
--- Mary Kay Ash
When we all started in business, we had a dream that took us from the idea page, to the starting page, to the get-er-done page. Those were the days. Dreamy days. Days when we felt invincible.
But for some of us, after a while the thrill dies down. When what once seemed extraordinary becomes routine. Many of us get bored with our business and we stop thinking in terms of how high we can take the business, concentrating instead on not messing up a good thing.
"If you believe that some day it's going to happen, some day it probably will happen. You just have to make sure you're there when it's happening, and ideally you're at the front of the parade, and the principle beneficiary of when it happens, but it's not a kind of thing where you just sort of sit back and wait."
--- Steve Chase
Staying motivated takes an effort of extreme focus. To keep the momentum of driving your business to exciting levels requires concentration of the highest magnitude. You can get back into the driver's seat and feel that pioneer-of-the-old-west exhilaration once again. You just have to drum up the courage to review and/or renew the business goals that once gave you passion.
"Whatever qualities the rich may have, they can be acquired by anyone with the tenacity to become rich. The key, I think, is confidence. Confidence and an unshakable belief it can be done and that you are the one to do it."
--- Felix Dennis
When the hum-drum feelings of running your business come (and they surely will from time to time), take a step back and reassess the direction of the company. Take an outside-looking-in approach. If needed, ask those you trust both in and out of your business to give you an honest assessment of the direction of the company.
With your assessment in hand, compare it with your original business goals. If those goals were never put in writing (shame on you!), try to remember what they were. Then, compare the two. Is your business what you dreamed it should be at this stage? Are you at least aimed toward the direction of the original goals?
"Believe in yourself.. in all you can do.. and for you, the deals will start to work in your favor. You need to be open to such deals, and they will come, I assure you."
--- Ivana Trump
If you are still heading in the right direction, great! The hum-drum feelings may just be a sign that you need a vacation. Or, they could be a warning that you need to change the direction of your goals to add back that spice to your life. Possibly, you've run the course you were meant to run and now it is time to sell the business or hand it down and start something new.
"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."
--- Sam Walton
Whatever the outcome of your assessment is, be sure to communicate to your team what next steps need to be taken. Include everyone involved so that all oars are in the water paddling the same direction.
You can get back that loving feeling. It just takes refocusing on your dreams.
Solvent Printers and Air Quality Control
By Larry Miller
For years, it has been accepted the smelly operating conditions are par for the course and normal in shops with solvent printers, but we have come to a turning point where these fumes and odors are more than just a nuisance. They pose real health concerns.
Read the article...
Choosing the Best Ink to Print on Vinyl
By Jennifer LeClaire
Some digital print shops stick to the ink their printer manufacturer offers. But that might not always be the best choice for your vinyl print job. Your overarching goal is to match your ink to your media. Find out what you need to know.
Read the article...
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Father's Day advertisement at photography studio in New Hampshire:
"Have the kids shot for Dad from $24.95"
On a door to a warehouse in Macon, GA:
"This door is not to be used for entering or exiting the building."
As seen on a new town hall in Wales:
"The town hall is closed until opening. It will remain closed after being opened. Open tomorrow."
If you've read these before, sorry, but if you haven't sent in any new ones, shame on you. We know those funny signs are out there. Why not share them with the world? Send your comments, suggestions, and hysterical observations to: info@signindustry.com.
