How many times do we hear that an event is too difficult to
put to words? I know I have heard it several times. Major events, like the
birth of a child, are often described this way. I had spoken to a few people
who had attended Let’s Truck’s Certified Master Contractor (CMC) Conference,
and said the experience was difficult to put to words and I doubted it. How
could a conference, especially a conference about trucking. Yet, here I sit,
just two short days after the conference has ended finding it difficult to put
the experience to words.
I knew to expect many of the same issues Kevin goes over on
the show in greater detail. I had been told Larry Winget was a great speaker. I
expected the negotiations portion to really push me to an uncomfortable zone. I
was also told the networking with other drivers made the conference invaluable.
I was not expected to really have the conference effect and challenge me in the
ways it has.
We arrived in Kansas City on Thursday, and immediately ran
into a few people I had been conversing, and sometimes arguing with on Facebook.
By the end of the week, I hated to leave the conference. I knew we needed to
get back to work, but I really felt like I really hadn’t learned all I could
from all those around me. The networking was truly priceless. For those of us
who listen to Kevin, we have come to know people like Jimmy the Junkman, and
many had preconceived notions about him and there is no way he was like that in
real life. Reality, Jimmy is a crazy smart, patient man who is willing to share
his wealth of knowledge with anyone that takes the time sit with him. I cannot
begin to thank him enough. Rico (or as I just called him Sauvé) not only shared
his hard earned knowledge with all at the CMC, but he took time out to spend
extra time with my husband. We spent a lot of time trying to teach Southern to
a British Canadian, and he shared not only his business plan but his story
which blew me away. Robert and his wife not only shared his knowledge, but his
dedication to the industry shows in his willingness to take a younger driver
under his wing and share his knowledge. There are so many more which taught me
a lot, and modeled the mentoring I think is sorely needed in this industry. I
was able to share a little of my knowledge and abilities with several others,
but I really feel like I took so much more than I gave back.
Negotiations can be something many don’t want to attempt,
and surely don’t want to learn more about, however George Gallamore made it
really applicable to everyone’s life. He taught me more about me, and really
made me realize why I do some of the things I do. Not only do I understand
myself better, I understand my husband and much of my family a little better,
so I feel his tools and information were something I needed, no matter how I
dreaded it. Learning other people and learning to recognize the clues as to
what type of person they are will help us in the end. While I don’t think his
knowledge will help us make a decision on buying a new dishwasher, at least he
now has a new couple to use as an example.
Goal setting is something I learned about while I was in the
business world, but sometimes I forget those skills and don’t apply them in
this business. Being reminded the steps for goal setting, and really analyzing
the motives behind the goals was something I really felt we needed. I really
would like to write a book, but I also know that goal is rather selfish. My
husband and I have realized we really need to make a decision on our future. We
need to decide on a plan that will work for us, write out goals, and make a
plan to get us where we would like to be. We don’t have much time, but it is
definitely needed.
Larry Winget said several things that were funny and yet
made you think. One think that just made you think was, “Nothing is neutral.”
In life, every decision we make either moves us towards our goals or away from
them. No decision we make has no bearing on our lives. He made so many witty
comments I don’t think I could ever list them all, but they all made me think
about life. We definitely need to “Grow a Pair.”
There are so many more things we learned, and so much more I
could write about how inspiring this conference was, but in the end my words
will still not convey my true feelings of the conference. I can say, if anyone
in the industry has an opportunity to be in Kansas City the first full week of
May, I highly suggest making plans to attend the CMC. Many say the conference
costs a lot, especially when you factor in the cost of the hotel, loss of
revenue, etc. However, the investment in yourself and your business is
invaluable. Bottom line, cost of the CMC: $1400, Hotel: $1000, Lost Revenue:
$5000, but the CMC is truly PRICELESS!
