September 1, 2019
Positive message appreciated
It is a Wednesday evening, the first of a six-day family vacation at one of Ontario’s beautiful provincial parks. As a landscape contractor, it can be difficult to take time away from our busy schedule. But I have come to realize that it is a necessity, for the time spent with family pales in comparison with the time spent building and maintaining the many varied aspects of our businesses.
On this evening I picked up the August issue of Landscape Trades and sat back in my outdoor chair for a bit of reading before dusk sets in. I began with Tony Lombardi’s Green Pencil article, and was riveted. As I finished, the ambient light had faded, but another light was going off in my head — this guy gets it! He is saying all the same things I have been saying and thinking for years! I’m not alone!
Thank you, Tony, for an insightful and thought-provoking article. In a society as fast paced and self focused as it is, we also need to be aware that we are the professionals. We are the ones to whom the public turns to, and we need to stay professional, no matter what disparaging comment they may levy our way. It is easy to be sucked into the quagmire of negativity, and become doubtful in our own abilities and attributes. But when we focus on the positive, and recognize how blessed we are to be in an industry as diverse and distinguished as it is, then we can take pride in what we do for a career. That is how we can continue to promote and attract youthful prospects into our trade as well, by focusing on the positive aspects.
Besides, if it were easy, wouldn’t everyone be doing it?
Sincerely,
Dave Heyink
Lakeside Landscape
Wainfleet, Ont.