Diminishing Returns

Look, I'm not a savvy business man. I'm sure you've figured that out by now. I majored in history before going for an M.Ed; which doesn't mean anything, I'm just illustrating the point that I'm no Gordon Gecko. So far my "business model" has been something like this, buy wood, build something, sell something. In my vast experience, it's proven to be a pretty rock-solid model. Now put your thinking cap on, because I need you to picture the look on my face when I discovered a gaping hole in the fabric of my trusty, 1-month-old business model. Diminishing returns.

If you are like me, gaining most of your business knowledge by watching Celebrity Apprentice, you may appreciate the Cliff Notes version of diminishing returns. It's like this, 80% of your work is done in 20% of the time you have to do it. Logically, the last 20% of the work, takes 80% of your time. Like a well written essay or book, as much time is spent on minute revisions as the construction of the entire first draft. Do the little revisions drastically change the story? No. They just make the finished product better. The big question is this, is it worthwhile to spend half of your time on the last 2% of a project? I guess it just depends.

Here's how it relates to me (and maybe you), I get to 98% completion on a project, call to set up the delivery (so that I'm ready to roll out when it's done) and get knocked flat on my back by the last 2%. Every single time. I truly and honestly believe I am 30 minutes from getting in the truck, for 3 hours. I'm not taking naps, picking my nose or going for long walks on the beach; I'm roaring like a rabid Sasquatch (that didn't get his Jack Links beef jerky) trying to get that "one last thing" done before I head out. It's so simple, but I honestly haven't figured it out. So, if you've been on the receiving end of this maelstrom of time-mismanagement, I sincerely apologize. I'm trying here.

I'm starting a new project today titled, "Goaty Wonderland". Here's the kicker, I did NOT come up with the title! These are the type of awesome people that track me down on the Interwebs. I love you guys.

I'm posting the sketches I sent this client because I think it will be fun to see how close the finished product comes to the ideas in my head.

Betsy looks better in low-light conditions.

I do too.

The area beneath the coop is open to the chickens. I just couldn't put wire down there, so I ripped down some wood slats and made my own grate thing. The floor of the coop is done in the same fashion, as it the lift-up top of the run, neither of the two are really pictured.

I'm probably sorting through all the stuff I just dumped out of my pockets, trying to find some drill bit and getting ready to crush the grip of my DeWalt XRP 18V Li-Ion Hammer/Drill/Driver out of sheer rage.

I did a little "roundy deal" on the ends of the side boards and touched them up with a rasp to give them that conspicuously-hand-made quality.

Nesting boxes.

The state of our yard when I'm about to deliver something. Anything in, on or near the truck and trailer is thrown over the shoulder, at random and in extreme haste.

Georgie packing his pink blankie (spare the commentary, I know) with a mini-football tucked inside for the journey. He made it about ten minutes, then passed out for the rest of the ride.

Last but not least, today's project. We're only doing the Crow's Nest and the Tiered Platform Thing. In case you didn't know, goats are awesome climbers and are prone to horrible mischief if you don't pay tribute to their skills by offering wooden jungle gyms.

I promised big news, and I still haven't shared it yet. Next post, I promise.

-F.W.