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You Don't Know What You Don't Know

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Home Inspector with SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties 450.004175

You Don't Know What You Don't Know.

     Boy is that ever true, especially when it comes to tech stuff on the computer. Over the years I have spent literally dozens of hours trying to search for documents, create a postcard or flyer or prepare presentations only to have them blow up in my face when I finally get finished. They may have things like bad fon't sizing, wrong font, off center, weird script that just disappears when I think it's ready to go, or just plain look ugly and unprofessional. Don't even get me started with Excel or Powerpoint. The true test to getting proficient and becoming an expert with something is to do it for 10,000 hours. That's not my rule, I'm sure I read it in one of the many books I have. I just don't have time to search for it at this moment. My challenge like everyone else on planet Earth is that we just don't have tons of extra time to get proficient in something. I can really appreciate it when someone who is an expert in anything, especially computer technology, is willing and able to generously give their time and effort on Activerain to post a tip or tool or feature of the ever changing world of technology. Craig Daniels has posted so many interesting and helpful blog posts over the years that I lost track. I have implemented several of his featured posts and look forward to the next one. He even took time after I tried to do the idea on one of his posts to assist me in creating my Blog signature when the one I made looked terrible and was even showing up on the blog twice. What is on my blog page is Craig's work. Thanks so much.  See what I mean?                                                Guess which one I made

     My son Nick Seaton is the reason for my second Goodie bag tip. We call him Nicholas, but no one else does. While not directly connected to my business or my son, Bob Crane is the number one woodland agent I've ever heard of, and I'm guessing no one in the country sells more than he does. My son was a lost soul in high school. Not interested, not motivated, long hair and as far as I was concerned, destined to work at a local retail store or restaurant forever. He was super smart, just didn't give a crap about school. I heard of a government program called Americorps, and how it would allow you to earn money for any college you wanted to attend if you completed the 10 month stint. I was just getting into Activerain at the time and saw some of Bob's posts and told my son that as much as he loved the outdoors, he should read about forestry, land management, ecology, and resource inventory and sales. Where did I tell him to start reading? Bob's AR blogs.

     The wealth of knowledge and examples of challenging sales and lessons were priceless. Fast forward 12 years and my son has a degree from Southern Illinois University in Forestry and a Masters degree from SIU in Biology and since January 2023 is the Ecologist for the Shawnee National forest in Southern Illinois with the National Forest Service. He loves the work and the challenges and the satisfaction that came from all those years of study and his enthusiasm for nature. So what's the tip you may ask? Never stop learning. I had no reason to read a blog about forest sales or trees, but I did read it and it helped turn my son's life around. 

 

 

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Scott... what a wonderful entry to the October challenge. I especially loved your story about your son... congratulations to him on all his achievements. I know you are very proud.

Oct 30, 2023 06:29 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Scott,

I loved the story about your son. You really hit a home run with your entry into the October challenge!

Oct 30, 2023 07:01 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Trying to do graphics is a real challenging and requires patience, or the assistance of some high school kid that understands graphic design.

Nice job in using AR as in Bob Crane to help your son find his way. Nicely done there.

Oct 30, 2023 07:17 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Echoing the comments of others, mentioning your son and never stop learning is so critical in this industry.  Tasty tidbits can come from others within our own personal experience.  The other important aspect of your entry is again showcasing how many AR members have helped other AR members. The generosity of the members within this forum is incredible. Thank you for sharing your story.

Oct 30, 2023 07:47 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Scott, so happy to hear that Nicholas is enjoying a career in the USFS, a great place to work.  My early career was with the Forest Service in Wisconsin, Idaho, and New Mexico.  Many fond memories.

Bob

Oct 30, 2023 07:51 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Scott - your entry is heart-warming and sincere.  I like it.  A lot.  

Oct 30, 2023 09:20 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Scott- what a wonderful entry for this month's challenge. Craig Daniels has been a huge help to many members here, and I include myself in that group. Isn't it a testament to the blogs here that ones written by Bob Crane helped to inspire your son to find his career path!!!!  

Oct 30, 2023 06:09 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nov 04, 2023 07:46 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Congrats on the feature and there is something called the Johari Window which splits what we see from what blinds us.

Nov 05, 2023 05:19 AM
Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp
SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties - Bourbonnais, IL
The Home Inspector With a Heart!

Thank you for the great comments, really nice to hear.

Nov 05, 2023 07:01 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I enjoyed this entry in the AR Challenge Scott. 

Kathy Streib sent me this way =)

Nov 05, 2023 08:13 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp -  This entry into the November challenge hits every box.  I hope a lot more people get to see your post.  It is so wonderful that you saw a post from Bob Crane, and this inspired Nick.  

I follow Bob Crane.  Even though I don't sell forest land, our community borders the forest, and I have sold over 5-acre parcels of land.  So, I like to glean information from his perspective. 

Nov 05, 2023 10:16 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

This is such a great post about the power in what is going on here in the Rain. Very cool.

Nov 05, 2023 06:19 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

What a wonderful story about your son. Everyone should be so fortunate in finding a job they love.

Nov 10, 2023 06:24 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am so glad that Kathy Streib featured this post - I missed it the first time around.

Nov 10, 2023 04:18 PM