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Cattle people/ farmers are getting old.
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<blockquote data-quote="simme" data-source="post: 1741011" data-attributes="member: 40418"><p>This thread has gone on for a while. A couple months ago in this same thread, I posted about an Angus operation in my state. Started by a young couple in the 90's. Started with pretty much nothing - except for an education in animal science, a good positive attitude, advice from other experienced people, a plan and a desire and a dream.</p><p></p><p>Now run 1400 head, sell 400 bulls per year, have other farm and retail businesses, have 3 adult children working in the family operation, served on the AAA board including as president, appears in ads for some farm products for other companies, recognized and respected in the business. No family silver spoons. They made their own way and are living the dream. I am sure there were some stressful times at points early on, but I never heard them say that it can't be done, or that the odds were stacked against them, or that everyone giving advice was stupid, or that things were just too expensive, and on and on. They are a success story.</p><p></p><p>Now buckle your seat belts. I am going to offer some more advice. There seems to be a tendency of some to just complain and disagree. When I am looking for advice, I try to be open minded and listen. There may be something that I can use and there may not be. But, if I tell the person that they are stupid and that everything they said is useless, there is no advantage to anyone. I can always think those thoughts and discard their advice. But if I express that bitterness to them and the world, I have screwed myself. No one wants to hear or see that attitude. I have always heard that if you don't have anything good to say, just don't say anything. Now, if anyone wants to have a rational discussion on the whys and hows or even debate the accuracy of anyone comments, that is good and healthy and educational. Maybe both sides can learn something from such a discussion.</p><p></p><p>But bitterness and bullying are not helpful in getting information, advice, making friends or influencing people. But it does make an impression. I worked for 44 years with thousands of people. Most reasonable and helpful. But some with an attitude. That attitude held them back many times and sometimes resulted in a bad experience for them in their career. Early in my career there, I remember an old guy I was working with (he was 48). He told me that his father had explained a principle to him - "Only a fool wins an argument". In other words, a person may be so passionate about something that he beats everyone into submission on a topic and thinks he has won. But he has lost the confidence and relationship with others. He did not "win" at all. </p><p></p><p>Why this rambling from an old dumb guy? Read again my first paragraph about a success story. Think again about the views and thoughts expressed here. Read again the rest of what I said. Even an old dumb guy should be able to understand.</p><p></p><p>Who am I talking about? In my work career, I had many sayings. One was that if you feel guilty about a discussion, then you probably are. Another was said when we were dealing with a difficult person. I would say to not worry - we will still be here when that person is gone. It generally turned out to be true. All my advice is worth at least what you pay for it. Maybe more if you apply it. But, I don't give refunds.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="simme, post: 1741011, member: 40418"] This thread has gone on for a while. A couple months ago in this same thread, I posted about an Angus operation in my state. Started by a young couple in the 90's. Started with pretty much nothing - except for an education in animal science, a good positive attitude, advice from other experienced people, a plan and a desire and a dream. Now run 1400 head, sell 400 bulls per year, have other farm and retail businesses, have 3 adult children working in the family operation, served on the AAA board including as president, appears in ads for some farm products for other companies, recognized and respected in the business. No family silver spoons. They made their own way and are living the dream. I am sure there were some stressful times at points early on, but I never heard them say that it can't be done, or that the odds were stacked against them, or that everyone giving advice was stupid, or that things were just too expensive, and on and on. They are a success story. Now buckle your seat belts. I am going to offer some more advice. There seems to be a tendency of some to just complain and disagree. When I am looking for advice, I try to be open minded and listen. There may be something that I can use and there may not be. But, if I tell the person that they are stupid and that everything they said is useless, there is no advantage to anyone. I can always think those thoughts and discard their advice. But if I express that bitterness to them and the world, I have screwed myself. No one wants to hear or see that attitude. I have always heard that if you don't have anything good to say, just don't say anything. Now, if anyone wants to have a rational discussion on the whys and hows or even debate the accuracy of anyone comments, that is good and healthy and educational. Maybe both sides can learn something from such a discussion. But bitterness and bullying are not helpful in getting information, advice, making friends or influencing people. But it does make an impression. I worked for 44 years with thousands of people. Most reasonable and helpful. But some with an attitude. That attitude held them back many times and sometimes resulted in a bad experience for them in their career. Early in my career there, I remember an old guy I was working with (he was 48). He told me that his father had explained a principle to him - "Only a fool wins an argument". In other words, a person may be so passionate about something that he beats everyone into submission on a topic and thinks he has won. But he has lost the confidence and relationship with others. He did not "win" at all. Why this rambling from an old dumb guy? Read again my first paragraph about a success story. Think again about the views and thoughts expressed here. Read again the rest of what I said. Even an old dumb guy should be able to understand. Who am I talking about? In my work career, I had many sayings. One was that if you feel guilty about a discussion, then you probably are. Another was said when we were dealing with a difficult person. I would say to not worry - we will still be here when that person is gone. It generally turned out to be true. All my advice is worth at least what you pay for it. Maybe more if you apply it. But, I don't give refunds. [/QUOTE]
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