Mr Mow It All

“What drives you more, the love of winning or the hate of losing?”

I knew this would make for a great series of after photos but even u was shocked at how much better this looked. Great cap to a busy week.

If you didn’t hear it from me, don’t believe it. And if you did hear it from me, it might not be true because half the time I’m not in my right mind.

I’ve been grinding my ass off all summer, and as a result this has been my best year since 2020. Now is not the time to pat myself on the back because there’s a lot more work to be done. But I right now I hate myself slightly less than usual. 🫡

Weather from hell this week but kept it moving. Business is slowly picking up, with another full week on deck next week. Signed a new commercial contract for the summer, so I’m on a bit of an upswing for the first time in a while.

Out here like Kurt Angle working with a broken freakin’ neck, but no matter. Today really felt like winter is over and I feel my body waking up out of it’s hibernation. 7th year in business. Let’s go.

It’s been a few. Time to get off my ass and get back to work.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you’re at.
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#804

“Some will criticize me no matter what I do.”

Almost 100% of the time, whatever they say, they won’t say it to your face.
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#804

They say don’t miss the forest for the trees. Have to remind myself don’t miss the improvement for the few leaves that are left after a job like this.

When the leaves are this thick, and it’s been as wet as it’s been here, inevitably there are going to be some left behind, and that’s alright. I gotta stop beating myself up for not meeting expectations that are just not realistic.

Side note these expectations are solely in my mind. The customer was overjoyed with the end result.

On to the next one.
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#804

The wind yesterday made life miserable, but overall I think the result was decent.

Back at it again today. It is raw as hell outside. Can’t wait to start sweating, only to take off my hoodie and freeze to death.
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#804

This new plan of offering to get the leaves to the curb for the county to pick up is working out better than I ever expected. Saves the customers money, and saves me a ton of backbreaking labor. That’s a win win.
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#804

More important than anything, yes even the money.

I love money don’t get me wrong. It’s one of the greatest things in earth. But poor work will only get you so far. If you do an unsatisfactory job, people will pay but they’ll never hire you again and even worse they won’t recommend you to anyone.

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve had bad days, done work that was way less than great. It happens. But I’m trying hard to focus on each job like it was the last one I would ever have.
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#804

“Step by step, and the thing is done.”
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#804

“I haven’t come this far to only come this far.”

My big mower is in the shop with an electrical problem and an oil leak.

I’ve got several pieces of small equipment that need service as well.

Money wise I’m just making it by each month, with a little bit left over after expenses.

I’ve lost some customers, and some days I don’t even want to get out of bed.

BUT…

F**k quitting.

I’m down but I’m not out yet.
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#804

Sadly I discovered that a bunch of the videos I shot today are useless since I had to use a makeshift tripod. Bummer but at least I got a few before and after stills.

Got to work for a great friend who’s always looking out for me with extra work, so I was happy to help her out.

The last few months have kicked my ass. But I’m still alive, still out here doing what I can. I’m taking it job by job and just trying to get them done.
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#804

If people wish to go a different direction with their lawncare that’s 100% their right. I have no control over that. Also, I’m an adult I can handle it if you don’t want to work with me anymore. But if I feel like we have a good working relationship and I drive past your house to see it’s freshly cut by someone else, then yeah I’m going to feel a kinda way about it.

It’s hard to be out here busting your ass, trying to do right by the customer at the expense of yourself. This kind of situation is very frustrating, and happens more often than you would believe.

At the end of the day, business is business. Maybe I should just keep the customers at arms length. I don’t know much about how to do this anymore, if I ever did at all.

“Work hard, someone’s always watching.”

When I was loading up to leave yesterday a man walking his dog said “Damn! Great job.”

I definitely get locked in, especially on yards where I’ve been there a million times. Even tho I could cut them with my eyes closed, admittedly maybe I don’t do my best work each time because I will probably be able to come back and do better next time. You never know who’s going to observe your work, but people do. I can’t count how many times someone has called me and said “You did some work for a neighbor and you did a great job…”

This is just a reminder to myself to treat each job like a one-off, the only time I’ll ever be able to impress the customer.
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#804

“We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

The lady who lives here is 100 and a month. She’s very hard of hearing and can’t see well. When you ask how she’s doing, with a smile she says “Well, pretty bad.” Despite this, she gets around pretty well, and she’s one of the most pleasant people I’ve dealt with in 6+ years.

She was really happy with the difference I made on these hollys.

I hope that if I live to see 100 I can be doing half as well as she is. Said it before but it bears respecting, this is a big reason why I keep going.
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#804