WEBVTT 00:00:23.279 --> 00:00:27.199 What's up hustlers welcome back to the lawn hustle 00:00:28.649 --> 00:00:33.450 the podcast built to grow stronger businesses 00:00:33.450 --> 00:00:40.490 and build better leaders. Because if you think 00:00:40.490 --> 00:00:44.210 you're a leader and no one is following you, 00:00:44.969 --> 00:00:49.810 you're just taking a walk. Today's episode is 00:00:49.810 --> 00:00:54.590 built around one simple but powerful truth. Dividends 00:00:54.590 --> 00:01:03.070 are paid. according to your discipline. I want 00:01:03.070 --> 00:01:07.810 to give a shout out to Eric Triplett, the host 00:01:07.810 --> 00:01:13.129 of the Deep End podcast. On one of his podcasts 00:01:13.129 --> 00:01:16.969 I was listening to, he talked about this subject, 00:01:17.969 --> 00:01:24.469 discipline, and how discipline will reward you 00:01:24.469 --> 00:01:30.519 with dividends. It might come in the form of 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:35.519 a new piece of equipment, a new truck, a new 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:44.799 trailer. Whatever it is, it is discipline that 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:51.439 brings dividends. So if you have never listened 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:56.239 to the Deep End Podcast, search it, Apple Podcast, 00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:02.920 Spotify. subscribe to it and hit the notification 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:06.519 button. You don't want to miss an episode. I 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:12.139 promise you it will motivate you. It will inspire 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:17.599 you. It makes me want to get up and go to work 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:29.699 and strive towards my goal. That's what the Deep 00:02:29.699 --> 00:02:34.000 End Podcast will do for you. So make sure you 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:38.199 subscribe to it and listen to it. But today we 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:51.879 want to talk about how dividends are paid according 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:56.340 to your discipline. They're not paid according 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:00.979 to your talent. They're not paid according to 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:08.439 your intentions. The road to success is paved 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:15.419 with good intentions. Dividends are not paid 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:22.560 according to your excuses. But dividends are 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:29.969 paid according to your discipline. according 00:03:29.969 --> 00:03:39.629 to my discipline. Rewards are not given to the 00:03:39.629 --> 00:03:46.210 lazy. They're given to those who are disciplined 00:03:46.210 --> 00:03:53.409 enough to work. You want something, work for 00:03:53.409 --> 00:04:00.009 it. I could say that again. just for emphasis. 00:04:00.990 --> 00:04:08.789 If you want something, work for it. We're going 00:04:08.789 --> 00:04:11.930 to take a break here, and I want to hear a word 00:04:11.930 --> 00:04:16.269 from our show sponsor, Eartha Pro. If you need 00:04:16.269 --> 00:04:24.889 a CRM, I challenge you to contact Eartha Pro. 00:04:25.550 --> 00:04:29.149 Set up your phone call. let them walk through 00:04:29.149 --> 00:04:34.810 with you what their CRM has to offer you and 00:04:34.810 --> 00:04:39.569 what it can do to help you run your business 00:04:39.569 --> 00:04:55.170 more efficiently. Eartha Pro Backoffice software 00:04:55.170 --> 00:04:57.990 makes it simple for solo guys and small lawn 00:04:57.990 --> 00:05:01.350 care and landscaping crews. Schedule, invoice, 00:05:01.790 --> 00:05:04.670 and organize all in the same place. We also have 00:05:04.670 --> 00:05:07.529 a mobile app and integrate into QuickBooks. Sign 00:05:07.529 --> 00:05:10.930 up at EarthaPro .com with promo code THELAWNHUSTLE11 00:05:10.930 --> 00:05:15.389 for a $50 Amazon gift card, 10 % off, and personalized 00:05:15.389 --> 00:05:18.329 onboarding. Eartha Pro, you run the outside work, 00:05:18.329 --> 00:05:24.240 we run the office. Catch my interview with Courtney 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:29.360 the co -founder of her the pro on YouTube It's 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:33.639 on Facebook and I believe it was on Instagram. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:38.079 So check those out Listen to it. She walks you 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:43.680 through on her computer how to set up invoicing 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:47.839 how to set up your onboarding and get your clients 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:53.310 and how to I send out invoices. Very informative. 00:05:53.949 --> 00:05:58.110 And I am totally impressed with Eartha Pro. I 00:05:58.110 --> 00:06:01.589 challenge you to check them out. And if you register 00:06:01.589 --> 00:06:05.129 using the Lawn Hustle 11, you get your discount. 00:06:05.889 --> 00:06:12.129 You get a $50 Amazon gift card and specialized 00:06:12.129 --> 00:06:15.850 onboarding. So I challenge you to check those 00:06:15.850 --> 00:06:19.879 out. You will benefit from it. Today we're talking 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:28.579 about dividends and how they are paid according 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:36.480 to your discipline. Have you ever wondered why 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:42.279 some businesses, whether it's in lawn care or 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:46.180 the home service business, some businesses seem 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:54.600 to grow consistently year after year after year 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:58.720 or season after season. And have you ever wondered 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:04.399 why? Why some businesses grow and some businesses 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:10.959 stay stuck. Some businesses take off and some 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:14.899 businesses never seem to get off the ground. 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:23.740 It's because of discipline, it's because the 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:30.079 ones that take off set up systems and processes 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.660 to help them consistently grow. If there is no 00:07:35.660 --> 00:07:39.459 growth in a business, that business is dying, 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:46.100 that business is failing. You cannot stay where 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:51.180 you are. You might have given it everything you 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:56.019 had to get to where you are, but that's not going 00:07:56.019 --> 00:08:01.000 to take you to where you want to be. You've got 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:06.379 to be disciplined day in and day out, week in 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:11.779 and week out, month after month, year after year, 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:18.360 disciplined. Set your goal. and do everything 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:23.319 within your power to work towards reaching that 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:30.300 goal. When most people hear the word dividends, 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:38.480 they think money. The old Johnny Menzel. Money. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:49.860 But in business, especially in the green industry, 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:55.559 dividends show up in a lot of different ways. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:04.179 Number one, when you're disciplined, dividends 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:11.360 show up in consistent customers. And when the 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.120 cheap guy comes around and knocks on their door, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:19.419 they won't fall for the cheap guy. They'll stick 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:25.639 to you because you have proven to them that you 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:29.820 are disciplined, that you work hard, that you 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:39.840 do the job, and you're worth the money. Predictable 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.419 cash flow. When you are disciplined, you know 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:47.409 constantly how much is coming in. how much is 00:09:47.409 --> 00:09:54.409 going out and where it's going to. When you don't 00:09:54.409 --> 00:10:00.190 have a clue about what your income is, what your 00:10:00.190 --> 00:10:02.850 outcome is, what your revenue is going to be, 00:10:02.929 --> 00:10:06.190 what your profit margin is going to be, and you're 00:10:06.190 --> 00:10:11.470 just stabbing in the dark, or you could say just 00:10:11.470 --> 00:10:13.850 throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:19.519 That's no way to run a business. You need to 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.720 tighten up your belt and become disciplined. 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:31.360 When you are disciplined you develop a solid 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:41.620 reputation. Most customers will buy into you 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:45.700 before they buy into your business. They will 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:50.919 buy into your reputation. They'll buy into your 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:56.039 story. They will buy into your work ethic before 00:10:56.039 --> 00:11:01.240 they buy into your business. But once they buy 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:07.059 in, they are your customer. I've got customers 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:12.500 that I have served. This season will be the 17th 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:18.370 year. That I have been able to keep these customers 00:11:18.370 --> 00:11:23.710 It's not and I hate to say this, but maybe I'm 00:11:23.710 --> 00:11:31.649 not the best But no one will outwork me I promise 00:11:31.649 --> 00:11:42.009 you that No one will Outperform me in my discipline 00:11:42.009 --> 00:11:48.960 when I Show up, I show out. When I show up, I 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:54.259 do the job with honesty, integrity, and a spirit 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:59.860 of excellence. And when I leave a job site, their 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:03.940 property is the best looking property on the 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:08.139 street. Because I learned a long time ago, I 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:13.269 can do little things that set me apart. I can 00:12:13.269 --> 00:12:19.389 do little things that make me better. Willing 00:12:19.389 --> 00:12:22.730 up a trash can to the garage door from the street 00:12:22.730 --> 00:12:30.409 takes an extra 10 seconds. But it shows your 00:12:30.409 --> 00:12:33.269 customer you're not there just to mow their grass. 00:12:34.129 --> 00:12:42.129 You're there to serve them. So build a solid 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:51.879 reputation my dad he's gone now I'm missing but 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:57.840 he used to tell me son don't do anything to ruin 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:03.899 your reputation because if you run your reputation 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:12.929 you might not ever be able to rebuild it So you 00:13:12.929 --> 00:13:17.990 cannot be a business owner in public and just 00:13:17.990 --> 00:13:22.289 put on a show in public. You have to live your 00:13:22.289 --> 00:13:28.450 life consistently as a business owner, as a man 00:13:28.450 --> 00:13:33.370 of honor, as a man who operates with integrity 00:13:33.370 --> 00:13:43.350 and honesty. So build that reputation. When you 00:13:43.350 --> 00:13:47.529 are disciplined, there is less stress in the 00:13:47.529 --> 00:13:54.009 peak season. When you're disciplined, when the 00:13:54.009 --> 00:13:58.149 grass is growing like crazy and you're tired 00:13:58.149 --> 00:14:00.769 and you're frustrated because you can't hardly 00:14:00.769 --> 00:14:04.269 keep up with the grass, you just keep going out. 00:14:04.429 --> 00:14:07.610 You just keep mowing. You just keep doing the 00:14:07.610 --> 00:14:10.590 job. You just keep putting one foot in front 00:14:10.590 --> 00:14:13.649 of the other. You'll never get from point A to 00:14:13.649 --> 00:14:21.250 point B if you get stuck between. So consistently, 00:14:23.009 --> 00:14:29.230 stay going. Consistently do the work. Consistently 00:14:29.230 --> 00:14:34.470 show up. Consistently... Prove to your customers, 00:14:34.970 --> 00:14:38.769 I am worth the investment that you are making 00:14:38.769 --> 00:14:43.750 into your property. I've had customers tell me, 00:14:43.809 --> 00:14:46.370 I don't care what you charge, I want you to do 00:14:46.370 --> 00:14:52.049 my job. It's because I've worked hard year after 00:14:52.049 --> 00:14:56.590 year after year to build a reputation and a brand 00:14:56.590 --> 00:15:02.669 in my city that when people call me They know 00:15:02.669 --> 00:15:06.830 what they're going to get. So I encourage you 00:15:06.830 --> 00:15:11.750 to always remember that your dividends are not 00:15:11.750 --> 00:15:17.470 just the revenue that you make. Your dividends 00:15:17.470 --> 00:15:27.139 are paid according to your discipline. When you 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:30.600 are disciplined it gives you freedom to step 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:35.279 away from the truck and work on your business 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:43.159 and not just in your business Because None of 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:49.240 this happens overnight Dividends are delayed 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:56.529 rewards Let me say that again dividends are delayed 00:15:56.529 --> 00:16:07.230 rewards. They are the payoff of things you did 00:16:07.230 --> 00:16:14.049 months and years ago before you even saw the 00:16:14.049 --> 00:16:23.210 result. You see, when I started my business and 00:16:23.210 --> 00:16:28.669 I was struggling With knowing how to operate 00:16:28.669 --> 00:16:35.389 Because I thought I just cut grass But when I 00:16:35.389 --> 00:16:42.929 changed the way I thought About my business when 00:16:42.929 --> 00:16:48.690 I changed my thinking From I'm not just mowing 00:16:48.690 --> 00:16:53.750 grass. I am a business owner. I am a legitimate 00:16:54.009 --> 00:16:58.750 business. I am registered with my state. I am 00:16:58.750 --> 00:17:05.190 insured. I am licensed. I am bonded. I am doing 00:17:05.190 --> 00:17:10.369 everything that I'm supposed to do. So I'm not 00:17:10.369 --> 00:17:14.390 just showing up to mow grass. I'm showing up 00:17:14.390 --> 00:17:21.029 to grow my business. It's discipline that pays 00:17:21.029 --> 00:17:29.180 the dividend. the reward. You'll never get better 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:32.559 equipment. You'll never get a better vehicle. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:37.819 You'll never get better clients if you're not 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:45.700 disciplined. It just will not happen. I'm trying 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:49.539 to reach out and help you because I want you 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:55.380 to succeed. I want you to gain a certain level 00:17:55.380 --> 00:18:00.819 of success in this industry because in this industry 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:07.059 you can be successful. You can grow a profitable 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:13.819 business. You can build a legacy. You can pass 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:19.359 it on to your children or you can sell it. when 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:25.160 you go to retire if you do it right and To do 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:32.400 it right you must be disciplined Because dividends 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:44.019 are paid according to your discipline Motivation 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:57.059 is emotional Discipline is intentional. Motivation 00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:06.259 is emotional. Discipline is intentional. Motivation 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:15.220 says, I'll do it when I feel like it. Now hear 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:18.750 me out. We all need a certain level of motivation. 00:19:21.269 --> 00:19:25.509 But you can't just be motivated because motivation 00:19:25.509 --> 00:19:33.410 is a feeling. And when I don't feel like it, 00:19:34.250 --> 00:19:38.569 I'll do it later. I'll do that tomorrow. I'll 00:19:38.569 --> 00:19:42.849 do that next week. I'll do that another day. 00:19:43.009 --> 00:19:49.279 But sadly... The other days don't come sometimes. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:54.500 So motivation says, I'll do it when I feel like 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:59.660 it. Discipline says, I'll do it because it needs 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:07.000 to be done. A couple of years ago, I was having 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:14.640 some trouble with my feet. I had knots come up 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:20.390 on the bottoms of my feet. And by the end of 00:20:20.390 --> 00:20:26.109 the day, I was in so much pain I couldn't hardly 00:20:26.109 --> 00:20:32.549 walk. But I can tell you one thing, it never 00:20:32.549 --> 00:20:36.369 stopped me from showing up to work. I remember 00:20:36.369 --> 00:20:41.130 one day, this property that we were mowing had 00:20:41.130 --> 00:20:44.559 a heel. in the front. It was a hard job. It was 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:51.000 a hard mo. Walking and trimming, climbing that 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:56.680 hill. It was hard on me physically. And my feet 00:20:56.680 --> 00:21:03.640 hurt so bad. I got down on my hands and knees 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:13.839 and I crawled back to my truck. I don't say that 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:20.259 to get anyone to give me any pat on the back 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:28.539 or anything like that. But I say that to tell 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:35.039 you that when you are disciplined, the dividends 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:46.009 will be paid. When someone seen me, they came 00:21:46.009 --> 00:21:50.609 over to talk to me. They said, if you're that 00:21:50.609 --> 00:21:56.589 disciplined, we want you to start doing our property 00:21:56.589 --> 00:22:00.730 because we just don't have the time. We're busy. 00:22:01.109 --> 00:22:05.990 We work a couple of jobs. We just don't have 00:22:05.990 --> 00:22:10.009 the time. to take care of our property so we 00:22:10.009 --> 00:22:12.990 want you to do it because you have proven to 00:22:12.990 --> 00:22:20.230 us through your showing up week after week after 00:22:20.230 --> 00:22:24.650 week after week and being hurt and being in pain 00:22:24.650 --> 00:22:29.670 and you still show up, you still work hard, you 00:22:29.670 --> 00:22:34.269 still do the job and it looks great. Talking 00:22:34.269 --> 00:22:38.799 about discipline, bringing some rewards. Bring 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:43.980 me some dividends. You want a new truck? You 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:48.380 want a new piece of equipment? Maybe a new trailer? 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:56.579 Work for it. Nobody's going to give it to you. 00:22:57.880 --> 00:23:02.240 Work for it. Someone asked me one time, what 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.579 is your best piece of advice that you were ever 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:10.000 given? And my answer was They told me I couldn't 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:17.460 do this. So I was disciplined enough to prove 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:27.660 them wrong. Show up. Show out. Do the job with 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:31.819 honesty, integrity, and a spirit of excellence. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:38.160 And serve your customer to the best of your ability. 00:23:38.670 --> 00:23:44.289 because dividends is not just money. It could 00:23:44.289 --> 00:23:49.829 be they sign you up for next year's service or 00:23:49.829 --> 00:23:54.390 they decide to build that patio or they decide 00:23:54.390 --> 00:23:58.170 to install that mulch and they're going to call 00:23:58.170 --> 00:24:02.289 you because you're disciplined and you show up 00:24:02.289 --> 00:24:09.250 and you show out. You must be disciplined. Because 00:24:09.250 --> 00:24:16.529 discipline will bring dividends, not just money. 00:24:17.750 --> 00:24:23.210 Bring customers. It brings consistent cash flow. 00:24:24.089 --> 00:24:29.650 It brings a solid reputation. It brings less 00:24:29.650 --> 00:24:34.009 stress. It brings freedom to step away and work. 00:24:34.829 --> 00:24:41.789 on your business and not in your business. So 00:24:41.789 --> 00:24:49.009 discipline, what does it look like? What does 00:24:49.009 --> 00:24:54.809 discipline look like? Discipline looks like showing 00:24:54.809 --> 00:25:01.089 up early even when you're tired. Answering the 00:25:01.089 --> 00:25:05.349 phone. when you don't feel like it. I could not 00:25:05.349 --> 00:25:09.730 tell you how many people tell me you're the first 00:25:09.730 --> 00:25:13.190 one that returned a phone call or you're the 00:25:13.190 --> 00:25:19.269 first one that answered your phone. It's not 00:25:19.269 --> 00:25:26.049 that hard. If someone is calling for an estimate 00:25:26.049 --> 00:25:30.049 and you don't answer the phone, by the time you 00:25:30.049 --> 00:25:33.539 get around to it, They've already went down the 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:36.640 Google list and they've already contacted the 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:41.099 next guy Because we live in a world when they 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:46.500 decide they want something they want it started 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:51.900 at least Finding someone to do it right away 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:57.039 If you don't return a phone call you don't answer 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:05.150 your phone you've already lost It's true. You've 00:26:05.150 --> 00:26:10.650 already lost. So answer the phone when you don't 00:26:10.650 --> 00:26:13.230 feel like it. Return phone calls when you don't 00:26:13.230 --> 00:26:18.089 feel like it. Send out your invoices on time. 00:26:20.230 --> 00:26:27.349 So you get paid on time. You don't want to wait 00:26:27.349 --> 00:26:31.990 past your terms before you send the invoice out. 00:26:32.849 --> 00:26:37.500 Someone get The invoice and the terms are a week 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:42.279 or two or 30 days, whatever your terms are. And 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:49.099 you did the work 30 days ago. Send out that invoice 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:54.759 as quickly as possible. On my CRM, I send them 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:58.400 out before I pull away from the job site. And 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:02.099 most of the time the people pay me before I get 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:07.849 around the block. because I have developed consistency 00:27:07.849 --> 00:27:13.950 and discipline in my invoicing. I don't wait 00:27:13.950 --> 00:27:19.390 on money. The day I do the job, the bill is due. 00:27:23.369 --> 00:27:27.670 We had a plumber at our house recently. Had to 00:27:27.670 --> 00:27:31.809 install some new shutoffs to the water softener. 00:27:33.470 --> 00:27:36.609 When he was done, and his mess was cleaned up, 00:27:36.890 --> 00:27:39.650 he'd come upstairs and the first thing he said, 00:27:39.869 --> 00:27:44.549 do you want to pay by check or credit card? I 00:27:44.549 --> 00:27:47.809 said, I'll pay by debit card. He ran the debit 00:27:47.809 --> 00:27:51.589 card. He said, sign here. Thank you. We appreciate 00:27:51.589 --> 00:27:55.849 your work. We appreciate you calling us for the 00:27:55.849 --> 00:27:59.150 estimate and appreciate all the work that you've 00:27:59.150 --> 00:28:04.650 given us through the years. The money was due 00:28:05.869 --> 00:28:11.549 when the job was complete. Don't wait on your 00:28:11.549 --> 00:28:14.750 money. If you're not getting paid, maybe it's 00:28:14.750 --> 00:28:17.750 because you're not disciplined enough to send 00:28:17.750 --> 00:28:22.369 the invoice. If you're not getting the estimates, 00:28:22.710 --> 00:28:25.390 maybe it's because you're not disciplined enough 00:28:25.390 --> 00:28:28.910 to get the estimate returned to the potential 00:28:28.910 --> 00:28:37.400 client as quickly as possible. discipline brings 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:48.000 dividends. So you want to maintain equipment 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:56.160 before it breaks down. Service your equipment 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:59.619 according to the manufacturer's recommendation 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:05.490 and do it consistently. Be disciplined. Yes, 00:29:05.549 --> 00:29:11.390 there's days that we don't feel like getting 00:29:11.390 --> 00:29:14.630 up and going to the shop early and servicing 00:29:14.630 --> 00:29:18.049 the equipment before the day of mowing even starts. 00:29:20.130 --> 00:29:22.430 But it sure beats getting out there in someone's 00:29:22.430 --> 00:29:26.289 property and mowing and throwing an engine because 00:29:26.289 --> 00:29:31.369 there's no oil in it. Or breaking belts because 00:29:31.369 --> 00:29:35.740 you didn't inspect them. Or a tire goes flat 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:39.640 because you didn't look at them and see that 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:43.519 they were low on air. Or that they had a screw 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:47.380 in it and you needed to put a plug in. Come on 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:53.500 guys, get disciplined. And when you're disciplined, 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:58.460 it brings dividends. Nobody's going to do it 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:05.529 for you. And it's not easy. But sometimes we 00:30:05.529 --> 00:30:08.930 make it harder on ourselves than what it should 00:30:08.930 --> 00:30:16.390 be. So maintain your equipment before it breaks 00:30:16.390 --> 00:30:23.049 down. You take care of your equipment, it will 00:30:23.049 --> 00:30:33.789 take care of you. Most businesses don't They 00:30:33.789 --> 00:30:40.150 fail because they don't work hard. They fail 00:30:40.150 --> 00:30:46.450 because there are no disciplines and they are 00:30:46.450 --> 00:30:53.630 not consistent. They fail, let me say it again, 00:30:54.210 --> 00:30:59.309 because they aren't disciplined and there's no 00:30:59.309 --> 00:31:11.119 consistency. Consistency. is key. So let's make 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:17.700 this real. The disciplined operator tracks his 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:26.700 numbers weekly, raises prices when needed, keeps 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:33.859 systems in place, and drains employees. instead 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:42.119 of winging it. The undisciplined operator guesses 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:50.079 instead of tracking undercharges year after year 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:56.160 after year. And then they want to know why they're 00:31:56.160 --> 00:32:00.000 not making any money. Because they don't know 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:03.380 where they're staying financially. They don't 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:06.200 know their income, they don't know their out 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:09.920 go, and they have no clue what their bottom dollar 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:14.839 profit margin is. How can you run a business 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:19.960 if you have no idea where you stand financially? 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:29.779 The undisciplined fixes problems when they explode. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:37.880 The undisciplined blames the weather, blames 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:48.119 the customer, blames the economy. Guess who gets 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:54.700 paid? The disciplined or the undisciplined? It 00:32:54.700 --> 00:33:04.279 is the disciplined every time. The business doesn't 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:14.660 reward hustle alone. It rewards discipline. Because 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:19.819 you can be busy and not be profitable. You can 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:26.839 be busy and not grow a business. Not grow a legacy. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:35.450 You can be busy. and not make a profit. It's 00:33:35.450 --> 00:33:43.450 true. You can be busy and not know your profit 00:33:43.450 --> 00:33:47.170 margin, know where you stand, know what's coming 00:33:47.170 --> 00:33:53.190 in, know what's going out. Some guys don't even 00:33:53.190 --> 00:34:02.339 know what they make. We're not just about being 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:06.339 busy. We're about turning a profit. We're about 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:15.079 building a solid profit margin. We're about systems 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:21.000 and processes. We're about growing. We're about 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:24.619 scaling. We're about taking our business to the 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:31.090 next level. And none of that will happen if you're 00:34:31.090 --> 00:34:38.929 not disciplined. I was listening to a podcast 00:34:38.929 --> 00:34:49.010 and someone asked Dr. Maxwell, how do you write 00:34:49.010 --> 00:34:56.710 all of those books? And his answer was, I made 00:34:56.710 --> 00:35:04.320 myself get up. one hour earlier. And I can get 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:14.639 a lot done in one uninterrupted hour. I challenge 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:20.820 you at the beginning of this season. Sorry, I 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:23.119 was trying to say season and system at the same 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:26.239 time. But at the beginning of this season, I 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:33.780 challenge you. get up one hour earlier. When 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:37.059 it's the day for me to service my equipment, 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:44.159 I get up and I go to the shop one hour earlier 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:48.440 than I do any other day of that week. And I can 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:54.119 get a lot done before the mowing even starts. 00:35:57.000 --> 00:36:02.260 So be disciplined. Make yourself get up. Make 00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:06.699 yourself go in early. Make yourself consistently 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:16.900 do what is demanded of you that day. Because 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:24.519 discipline compounds just like interest. Send 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:29.599 out five extra invoices. follow up on 10 phone 00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:39.960 calls, improve one system. But over time, those 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:46.179 habits are created and it develops stronger margins, 00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:54.800 better clients, less chaos, more freedom. You 00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:59.389 see, you don't wake up one day successful. You 00:36:59.389 --> 00:37:03.210 wake up one day realizing that your discipline 00:37:03.210 --> 00:37:12.949 has finally paid off. Running a business is not 00:37:12.949 --> 00:37:21.750 a sprint. It is a marathon. It's not easy, but 00:37:21.750 --> 00:37:28.679 you have to be disciplined enough to do it. Let 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:33.659 me leave you with this one question. What area 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:39.500 of your business is costing you dividends because 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:45.880 you lack discipline? Is it pricing? Know your 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:50.840 value. Know the perceived outcome that the client 00:37:50.840 --> 00:37:55.769 desires. Is it time management? Are you always 00:37:55.769 --> 00:37:58.110 spinning your wheels and running here and there 00:37:58.110 --> 00:38:01.789 but never getting anything done? Become a better 00:38:01.789 --> 00:38:09.590 time manager. Is it marketing? If you aren't 00:38:09.590 --> 00:38:14.769 marketing now for spring, you're already behind. 00:38:16.550 --> 00:38:22.570 Because spring's success is built in winter's 00:38:22.570 --> 00:38:30.460 cold, chilly months. Is it leadership? Remember, 00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:35.760 if you think you're a leader and no one's following 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:44.260 you, you're just taking a walk. Identify one 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:51.699 area this week and commit to discipline. Commit 00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:57.199 to action. Not perfection, just consistency. 00:38:58.380 --> 00:39:02.739 Because remember, dividends are paid according 00:39:02.739 --> 00:39:07.420 to your discipline. You want to make more money? 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:11.639 Be disciplined. You want new equipment? Be disciplined. 00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:17.800 You want better customers? Be disciplined. You 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:22.900 want to build a legacy? Be disciplined. Because... 00:39:22.730 --> 00:39:30.369 Dividends are not given to the lazy. Dividends 00:39:30.369 --> 00:39:38.750 are not given to the uninspired. They're given 00:39:38.750 --> 00:39:44.369 to those who are committed, those who are disciplined, 00:39:45.030 --> 00:39:48.909 those who go beyond being motivated. Because 00:39:48.909 --> 00:39:52.880 motivation is a feeling. And if you don't feel 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:58.840 like it, you just don't do it. Be consistent. 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:05.360 Be disciplined. And watch the dividends come 00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:11.420 in. If this episode hit home today, share it 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:18.340 with another lawn care pro who needs it. Make 00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:22.559 sure you subscribe. to the lawn hustle, hit the 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:26.880 notification button. If you're looking to surround 00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:33.019 yourself with discipline -minded operators, check 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:36.940 out the lawn hustle mastermind on Facebook. I 00:40:36.940 --> 00:40:42.000 invite you to join the mastermind group. Until 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:47.159 next time, stay disciplined, stay consistent, 00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:53.139 and keep hustling. Thank you for listening to 00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:53.940 the lawn hustle.