I too am grateful foe the Constitution. It is an amazing document. I am reacquainting myself with it with a reading of it and some essays of the founders under the structure of a Hillsdale College course. It is intriguing.

Thank you for the fantastic training event on Gutter Shutter Larry. It was extremely helpful and thorough. Hope your knee is healing well sir.

Earned is a great word. I’m so sick of hearing “deserve”, or “entitled”. I also don’t like the phrase “you owe it to yourself”. These are all selfish attributes. Earned means that you did something for someone else first before you get anything for yourself. That’s the way it’s supposed to work.

Really enjoyed this! Thank you! =)

Amen to that. Thanks for the book recommendation. Be blessed today.

This is definitely needed in today’s society. It’s easy to fall into the trap of having someone else think for you and change your ideologies.

Thanks, Larry I find myself flipping off the news more these days because of the rhetoric… and thinking about my own priorities.

A fantastic way to look at this, the idea of changing programming doesn’t sound as intimidating as changing the way I think about things!

GOD HELP US!

It’s our story, and we’re the writers!

Love to read these inspirational comments! Thanks for your daily thoughts!

Love this one!!

I’m trying to cut out all the “noise” I normally flood my senses with, and this year I want to use my time listening to podcasts and reading books that help me better myself. The opportunity to better myself is there, if I choose to take it!

Larry,
Thanks for the Poster and the compliment. Also congrats on the 202 mph. That’s rolling..
Hope you are well and Godspeed brother.
You need to write another book on the Baja where u ran out of fuel. Was a great read on your daily writings.
I also missed that fuel point and had to go back.

Jeff Benrud 715x

I’m grateful for my mother. A tremendously important influence in my life.

Also am grateful for your book recommendations. Just finished “The Rational Optimist.” A very insightful read. It is worth noting that the 21st century will be a magnificent time to be alive. Dare to be an optimist!

Grateful for the new year, and each and every day. Absolutely agree that done is better than perfect. Excellence, not perfection is something I strive for. Perfect is good – and a target – but generally not required to move things in the right direction. The pursuit of perfection can be a holy grail that is actually an impediment to progress. I’m grateful for you publishing Think Daily as well.

That statement is so true. People call me a perfectionist because of the finished product that I`ve labored over for some time. I just tell them the job or (car) is done & done to the best of my ability. They are more than pleased & I`m done & on to the next wit satisfaction. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. I feell everyone has their own opinion on it. When Its DONE ,I feel great & can move on. Yes I probably get BETTER with every job & I strive to but, I don`t notice it as others may. When I read their testimonials it does make me feel proud though. My point is if I had to have everything perfect in my work ,I would probably be less productive because where does it end? Like you had said ,simply say the job is done!

great comment on society today, I was extremely proud when my son decided to go into HVAC, He is in a 2 yr tech program, but it is still hands on. Jeff.

Never let schooling get in the way of your education. Love it!??
I did not have the opportunity to go to college, but once I
Figured out what I wanted to do In life, I could be specific in what I needed to learn to get better in my chosen profession. at one time I had to take challenge exams equal to a Associates degree before I could continue with some career tracks. I was able to do this with wife and kid (s). It is doable. I did mine before the internet. Now there is no excuse, IF you have the drive and self control. ~ #Mildude

Well said, I agree with everything except, “The availability of college loans is only welfare for colleges”, maybe I am misunderstanding your point here, but college loans need to be paid back and if one goes to college they need to actually work to excell in ones chosen course of study. Welfare on the other hand…. no work required and does not have to be paid back.

Apprenticeship Programs RULE!

If you do choose college, never EVER pay big money for an undergraduate degree. Figure out how to get a degree for less than $10k/year (yes, it can be done). Once junior has knocked the skin off the ball with great grades and accomplishments, THEN consider spending the daddy war-bucks for a masters degree.

So true and right what you said. I have been thinking this for years. Just didn’t want to believe it myself. Thank you for sharing this.

Agree 100%. I have seen this first hand with myself and others that I work with. We all chose to go through a 4 year apprenticeship learning a trade, come out debt free, and ahead of allot of other people our age who went to college and cant find a good paying job while trying to pay off their loans.

Well said!
I went to college and don’t regret my decision , however I do believe I could have accomplished the same success in life if I went straight to work. The one thing that I would not have is the friendships that span 40 years and are strong to this day.

I don’t think you will receive much opposition on this subject in this publication. I follow think daily mostly for the pure common sense rationality. Common sense is no where to be found in the colleges in these times (so I have heard from friends who have kids in 4 year colleges)

Well said. Heck, I graduated high school 1975. Even back then there was a question on “return in investment” of going to college vs not. In a way, remote learning has reinforced the ability to learn ohtside a classroom…something that will serve one well for the balance of their lives.

I totally agree! Not everyone needs college, but colleges need everyone! However, everyone needs to educate and be a life long learner.

Before coming to work at TBF of WNY I had worked in the Residence Halls at 3 different colleges for a total of almost 10 years.
I have to say that there are many people who are pushed into college as the next step after high school without people really looking at if it would be a good fit for them as a next step in life. Some are not ready for college academically or emotionally, some are not ready for the workload that college will bring, and many are entering college for a major that doesn’t need formal training (as you pointed out) and which going to college for will leave them heavily in debt in the future. The folly comes that many people don’t know what to do so they jump into college because all that they know is to go to school, and many high schools push their students to go to college instead of exploring other (and better) options for them.

Thanks, Larry, how many institutes of higher education, that have “Business Schools”‘ cannot operate within budget and constantly ask for more $ from the students and taxpayers…..

I agree 100%, what is learned in the working world is much often used than what is learned in a classroom.

100%! I think America and the world are seeing that being on a college campus is not the end all be all. My hope is that trade schools will see an increase in enrollment and that all the students that are taking college classes and having jobs will realize that you will get paid for hands on learning jobs while in trade school. (I may be incorrect with that statement, but I believe that most apprenticeships the jobs are paying and then they go to school after work hours.) I hope more light is also shed on community colleges that offer the same if not better level of academics at the 4 year universities.

Amen! My grandson graduated from high school this year and is not attending college. He is bright and hard working and I advised him to always keep his mind open to new adventures. I am also trying to educate him on investing and the advantages of starting to build a portfolio.

Dead on. Also today the University experience can do real damage.

I have always had this view on collage, I went to a tech high school back in the day and they didn’t really push collage back then. I did take a few community collage courses but nothing really formal. One course I ended up taking was “Entrepreneurial Studies” it was a decent class. However I always kind of thought it ironic that they had a class you pay for to be an entrepreneur. I have learned much more running my own businesses for the last 18 years there is no substitute for learning by doing in my opinion.

Larry, encourage that young lady to subscribe to “Think Daily,” an inspirational blog which reinforces personal action: Be, Do, Go!
I agree with your post. Collegians and parents need to be reminded that having a degree entitles you to nothing. Careers are earned.

I completely agree. I owned my first home before my friends had finished college. One of my kids went to an elite college and came home an in-debt, entitled Marxist with a communications degree.

I skipped college because I had no idea what I wanted to do for a living, and I didn’t want to spend the money without a specific direction in mind. By the time most people my age were graduating, I had worked at over 30 different jobs, and had a much better idea of what I wanted to do for a living, and what I liked and didn’t like about the employers I had worked for. Turns out, I didn’t want to work for anyone and I may have been 4 years behind on figuring that out if I had gone.

Mike Rowe agrees with you!

Its a sheep or shepherd statement really. You sir are a shepherd. Having met and worked for you. I believe someone who sees the bigger picture, makes a plan and takes actions to protect themselves and their growing flock, does not necessarily need college. I have two enrolled now and its working for one of them. Unfortunately not everyone has the will (its not about ability or opportunity) to be a leader in their own life much less lead others. College became just another business a few decades ago. The way we are marketed to and taught is to be sheep, followers…the world is changing. Thank you for promoting leadership by being a leader. Thank you for saying what needs to be said.

Back in the Philippines where I am originally from, people who can’t afford to go to college either work after finishing high school or apply for scholarship. We don’t have student loan program there. If you are poor, after finishing high school, that is it. Go and get a job that will bring food on your table.
In my situation, I grew up not having parents. I have experienced starving all the time at an early young age. I thought my life would be miserable and useless, added with belittling from my relatives and said that I would never succeed in life.
Thankfully, a Christian Institution from Norway came to the Philippines searching for some poor youth who would like to go to college. I applied and passed but the budget for scholarship was not enough for me to get the course I wanted so I chose the course that did not have high tuition, Education. I graduated with Honors, had experience teaching for 3 years and had an opportunity to work abroad as a teacher. But I felt like that was not really for me although I love kids. I prayed to God to direct me to the right path that would make me feel fulfilled, successful and accomplished. God has His own reasons for everything beyond our control. Now, I am happily married and working that to me is the best company for me to work with because of I have a very nice boss who always has words of wisdom to share and who is willing to help and give you the opportunities to grow, Jim Mclaughlin. I see myself years from now learning, growing, and succeeding more in this company.
To me, the best thing to remember is put God first in everything and He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Your right about the pace of change, but compared to China we are still in slow motion. College is not for everyone, but for late bloomers it second chance to get formal education. For entrepreneurs maybe not necessary, but still helps with analytical and research skills. Community colleges are less expensive and most can transfer to other more prestige’s colleges. No one questions where you start its where you finish that’s important.

Sir,
You made my day with that diagnosis.
We meet and work with the high school juniors in a local community college program in NC inviting them to join in our ride along program in the summer and then take online tech school mixed in with their senior year classrs at high school.
It has been awesome so far with multiple takers, and some that became employees.
I have one son in the business that went to a 4 yr institution. He and his younger brother who did not work together and are taking on line classes to try to pass the NC state H3 examination.
In another view, my youngest brother is a 4 yr grad in Mechanical Engineering. I never made it past 1 yr of a 4 yr college but did get an diploma at a tech school for electronics. The two of us made a great team over the years ( 30) and I believe we would not have been able to grow with plan and stability without his ” project” background.
I think up to the early to mid 80s that the hands on education that 4 yr institutions had got us to where we are now in this nation. Along with the back breaking labor of those that did not go to college.
I do not know what lies ahead for my grandchildren, but my sons will be fine. Their paths mimic mine and my younger brother. D personality and C personality.
Thank you for all you do. Your daily thoughts are distributed thru our management team by email.

Larry, you are soooo right. College is not for everyone. I hate to say this but feel at times colleges are big businesses. Like you said if becoming a doctor or lawyer certainly a college experience is warranted. I believe we need just as many good tradesmen learning good trades. It’s a shame to see these kids graduating with huge debts to only get low paying jobs out of college holding degrees. Our world is changing and Covid certainly is showing us all what can be done being connected at home. Great piece you wrote Larry

Larry, you are absolutely right. Thanks for speaking up and speaking the truth! College in many ways is dangerous for students because it teachings what to think instead of how to think. What they teach is often contrary to reality and sets people up for failure in real life.

I agree I went to college and don’t work in my field. I encouraged our son and daughter to work at least 5 years before deciding on a college and both are managers one at team mobile one at sherwin williams and there only in there mid 20ies.