Lessons I've Learned...

You might have read the poem by Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten... You know, share everything, play fair, clean up your own mess, etc.

Well lately I've been pondering where I learned some of my childhood lessons that have made me the person that I am today and I want to share some with you (who knows...maybe you'll get some ideas!)

This may come as a surprise, but I actually am a country farm girl. No, really. My family had farmland and cattle. My first job was selling watermelons out of the back of the truck at an intersection.

My sister and I got taken on some unconventional "field trips" as kids. We went to both a slaughterhouse and a milking facility to see where our food came from (tip: if you ever raise an animal for food, name it something like T-bone or burger so you don't get too attached) and an early visit to the landfill to see where your garbage goes (if you want to see bald eagles... Go to the dump. Not very regal, but they're always there!) We also worked at charities and fundraisers for as long as I can remember (I'm great at the concession stand and to this day can make change in my head!) I've learned that by helping others you can help yourself (maybe that's why I ended up specializing in short sales and teaching others)

As I got older I worked in the family retail business. We were in an industry that had a lot of competition from mail order so I learned to buy from local merchants whenever possible...even if it costs a few dollars more. I also learned payroll, advertising and accounting when it was all done by hand... which gives me a better understanding of how it works on the computer today.

My life has not been perfect. There have been definite highs and lows and I know that there always will be... But it's what you do with the lessons you've learned that show what kind of person you are.

I hope that some of the lessons that I’ve learned and shared with you through this newsletter have made a difference… both in your real estate and your outlook on life.

Andy

p.s. Thanks Mom!