Not Quitting but Slowing Down

Magicman · July 01, 2021, 07:48:57 AM

DR_Buck recent post prompted me to share some of what is/has been going on with my sawing profile.

It's well known that I do not (have not) refused any sawing job regardless of the location as long as the customer was paying. As a result of that, the fact is, my business has outgrown my capability.

I guess that it is our nature to keep on keeping on, but Mother Nature and Father Time also keeps on. I will turn 78 in a couple of weeks so I made a decision on June 15th to trim back. I notified 11 customers (~40Mbf) that, due to health reasons, I would not be able to saw their logs. 8 of these jobs were passed off to a local sawyer, and FF member, that I had briefly communicated with but had never met. Going forward I will not accept any job over ~50 miles away that is not a "one day job". I have that one 106 mile away job that I did not finish because of the loader fire and I will finish it if/when the customer calls.

Quitting and selling out would be an option but I'm still generating more sawing income each year than the sawmill's selling price. The sawmill and my website could easily put the right person in business, but that ain't happening. My/our long range plan had been for (Son) Marty to take over the sawing, but his startup construction company is doing well enough to remove that option.

Sooo, my plan is to hopefully trim back to 2-3 days every 2-3 weeks which was my original plan to begin with. Yes, this considerably reduces our income and some of our activities, but it was never a matter of if, but when? When is now.

Crossroads · July 01, 2021, 08:02:06 AM

I'm sorry to see a change needed, but glad you are able to recognize that a change is needed and make it happen. I hope you get to spend a lot more time with family going forward. You've inspired many of my business practices, thank you!

doc henderson · July 01, 2021, 08:40:27 AM

should give you more quality time with your beautiful family. I have worked since the age of 13 and often feel I am owed a bit of childhood.

Good for you. now you can start making some of those jumps you signed up for at the senior parachute club!

I am nothing but happy for you. If you do not decide at some point, the decision will be made for you. God bless you and your family.

WV Sawmiller · July 01, 2021, 08:48:10 AM

Lynn,

I understand and hope and trust this decision works out well for you and your family. I knew you had posted in the past that you had hoped your son and, I gather, grandsons might take over and continue the business and I still have my fingers crossed this happens if it is best for you and them.

Maybe the next step is to open/expand into "Knothole Lumber Consulting and Training" and you and Miz Pat can ramble the USA (World?) training new sawyers and teaching experienced sawyers how to improve their sawing.

The guys in Liberia are also looking for missionaries to come help train their team members on how to best use and maintain their WM equipment. Good luck on this decision and keep us well posted.

69bronco · July 01, 2021, 09:03:28 AM

Sounds like a good plan Lynn! My father used to say( your dead a long time). Enjoy!

tacks Y · July 01, 2021, 09:04:09 AM

Hope you enjoy your semi-retirement 8)

I have also worked many hours since young and when my children were growing up. Now with Grand kids i take time off, change diapers and baby sit. I AM HAVING A BLAST and still working just not as much.

Have fun with your time off.

Sixacresand · July 01, 2021, 09:05:53 AM

I suspect in your future 2-3 days every 2-3 weeks, you will mill more than most of us.

Resonator · July 01, 2021, 09:06:17 AM

Congrats on your decision, you have definitely earned some "free time". You are an inspiration to us "youngsters", and hope to build my business to be as successful as yours is.

sealark37 · July 01, 2021, 09:14:19 AM

It is an acknowledged fact that a worker who shows up, does good work, and serves his customer, will soon have more work than he can cover. This is true, regardless of age. Your first responsibility is to yourself and your family. Making the work fit your own needs is simply good management. Your plan is a good one. Rock On!

maple flats · July 01, 2021, 09:21:01 AM

I fully understand your decision.
Back just 4 yrs ago, I thought I'd still be going strong until I got to my early 80's. I was judging by my dad. He went strong until 87 before he slowed down. Then in 2018 I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and had successful surgery, but the sit and do nothing for 6 full weeks Doctor's order caused me to come out of it at about half speed. I used to walk rather fast, since then I can't even push myself to walk fast, even though I try often.
I'm only 74, currently in quite good health, but working more than 3 hrs at a time does me in, just 4 yrs ago I often worked 6-7 hrs, had lunch break and worked another 6 or 7 hrs. Age cought up with me, I've slowed but I still am trying to do most of what I did in the recent past, it just takes me 3 days to do what I did in 1 as recently as 4 yrs ago.
Just listen closely to your body.

Stephen1 · July 01, 2021, 10:36:46 AM

A Great decision you will not regret.
you still get to saw and get to enjoy some free time.

pineywoods · July 01, 2021, 11:08:55 AM

Good call MM. Me too, I just turned 85 it's time for me. Some time back I started refering saw jobs to a good sawyer friend. Now I'm finding that I can no longer tolerate the heat.

Percy · July 01, 2021, 11:26:19 AM

Maybe have time for another visit 🤓

terrifictimbersllc · July 01, 2021, 12:07:07 PM

Lynn, your announcement gives us all a pause for reflecting on what's important. Wish you the best in the adjustment.

mike_belben · July 01, 2021, 12:27:56 PM

Theres more to life than work folks. Get your moneys worth out of good health before work spends it all up on ya.

Good for you scaling back lynn.

jb616 · July 01, 2021, 12:32:37 PM

I think at 78 you've deserved a slow down

. I will always look to your contributions here on the forum and hey, who knows, you might be able to take the time to share some How To videos with us newbies. Best of health to you and your family!

brianJ · July 01, 2021, 01:13:58 PM

It is a wise man that makes life-changing decisions rather than waiting until life forces those decisions.

taylorsmissbeehaven · July 01, 2021, 01:17:53 PM

Congratulations Lynn! I am very happy and excited for you to have some time. You have done a lot of sawing and were kind enough share your wisdom and experience with all of us. I really appreciate that and wish you the very best. Brian

trimguy · July 01, 2021, 05:09:16 PM

Shoot, I thought all you did was sit under the umbrella and ride back and forth drinking sweet tea. :D :D :D No, really , well deserved break, enjoy the free time and thanks for all your knowledge you share.

WV Sawmiller · July 01, 2021, 05:19:23 PM

Trim,

Now that you mention it seems the MagicMan posts almost as many pictures of food his customers feed him as he does lumber he has cut. I've been trying to get a good look at his mill from all angles to see if he has a "Will work for food" sticker stuck on it somewhere. :D

slider · July 01, 2021, 07:48:09 PM

Lynn i m 71 and go almost as hard as you do but i m slowing down and picking my jobs . My wife said while back to sell my lt70 sell my self loader ,sell my skid steer, sell my tree service equipment , 75 ft forestry bucket and f350 and 20 ft dump and just stop. I will some day but not yet. i am glad you made your decision ,if i make your age i will be right with you.

I still saw but the tree service keeps me thinkin

Stay on the forum.

KenMac · July 01, 2021, 09:34:49 PM

May God continue to bless you and your family immensely in your next phase of life!! By all means please continue to share your wisdom and knowledge with us on the FF.

dgdrls · July 01, 2021, 09:58:32 PM

! gonna be great Lynn!

Congratulations

D

TimW · July 01, 2021, 10:39:41 PM

Quote from: WV Sawmiller on July 01, 2021, 08:48:10 AM
Lynn,

I understand and hope and trust this decision works out well for you and your family. I knew you had posted in the past that you had hoped your son and, I gather, grandsons might take over and continue the business and I still have my fingers crossed this happens if it is best for you and them.

Maybe the next step is to open/expand into "Knothole Lumber Consulting and Training" and you and Miz Pat can ramble the USA (World?) training new sawyers and teaching experienced sawyers how to improve their sawing.

The guys in Liberia are also looking for missionaries to come help train their team members on how to best use and maintain their WM equipment. Good luck on this decision and keep us well posted.

Lynn,
I know this comes bittersweet. I like it that I can work and stop when I want to, or go visit my daughter and Grand daughter. So keep going in your slow down. Maybe you can open up Knothole Tailgunners Training School!
hugs, Brandi

sawmilllawyer · July 01, 2021, 10:50:48 PM

Good on you, Lynn, I have had the pleasure of reading your sage advice and marveled in your wisdom. As Clint Eastwood would say, "A man has to know his limitations." Best of everything in this new phase of your life. Do not become a couch potato, I really don't think there are any worries there. Enjoy life a little more I don't know of anyone who while lying on their deathbed said, "Gee, I wished I had worked a little harder. 8)