5 Lessons Learned by Damian Mason

1. Longevity:  Short term success is hard, making it last is even harder. After a couple years of struggling and learning the ropes, my act took off. I assumed pulling off the next “act” — whatever business endeavor that was going to be — would be a piece of cake. It wasn’t. Making success last is a function of fortitude and constant adaptation. Any business that sticks around for decades is worthy of respect. 

 2. Work is Work:  I’ve been a farmer, factory worker, bartender, landscaper, and sales rep, but the hardest work has been keeping my enterprise afloat for 25 years. The lesson here: We all earn a living somehow. Other people’s jobs may not look difficult from your perspective but there’s likely more to it than you understand.

 3. Edge: Having an edge is good, but being hard edged works against you. I’m hot tempered (less now than I once was) and a scrappy go- getter. While these traits push me forward, they’ve also held me back. People don’t always respond well to hard edges and guess what: all businesses deal with people.

 4. Don’t stop learning, improving, or attempting new endeavors: Success comes from getting smarter, getting better, and stepping outside your comfort zone. I’ll do things differently the next 25 years but I won’t stop improving, learning, or experimenting. Neither should you. Stagnation is slow death! 

 5. Make It Count (Life that is):  Because of my little business, other businesses I patronize can exist. Beyond the flow of money are the audiences. In 25 years I’ve written books to enrich others. I’ve delivered presentations that may have changed a few lives and businesses. At the very least, my presentations made another boring meeting memorable. While I haven’t cured cancer, in my own small way I’ve made it count. Please do the same! 

Damian Mason speaks at meetings throughout North America on the two subjects he knows best: Business and Agriculture. He’s the host and producer of the Do Business Better podcast and The Business of Agriculture podcast. Damian’s latest book, Do Business Better released this spring.  www.atlanticspeakersbureau.com