Old guys: advice to give to the youngins?

[Matt]

I was thinking some of the guys on this board have probably lived some interesting lives, and learned a lot on the way. Even though I'm a young punk kid I've never turned down advice from others. That said any gems you guys wanna pass along?

[harshman]

Yup!


Listen to old guys advice.

[shmoov69]

Stay humble in all instances and at all times. Even if you are the shizz!
And another, Always look UP twards the final goal.

[ProdigyCustoms]

You are already off to a great start amd a fantastic attitude. Just repect and listen. Nothing makes up for experiance. And someday, maybe you can pass on some of your life lessons.

Here's one from my grandpa I like and find true almost everyday.

"if you don't ask, you probaly won;t get it, weather that be a discount on a new car, or a piece of ..."

[Andrew McBride]

"if you don't ask, you probaly won;t get it, weather that be a discount on a new car, or a piece of ..."

your grampa was a very wise man.

lol, I have never heard that before.

[LowBuckX]

My advise is .. Take 50% of the advise given on the net and write it off as guesses by a good intentioned soul who read what he wrote in a book and left out the most important parts...

[zbugger]

Here's a piece of advice. You know that parental warning about sticking metal objects in electrical outlets? Yeah, well, don't. Ask me how I know......

[LowBuckX]

:screwy: Oh yea and never ever listen to zbugger. :screwy:

[BMF Machine]

Here's a good one from my Grandpa.....


"Two things ya never chase, women and busses! They will both leave you behind and out of breath. And there will always be a couple more in a few minutes."

A good one from my Flight instructor....

" Learn from other pilots mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all yourself. "


Kevin:smoke:


One from me......

"Do not run underneath a yard Dart that your uncle just through 250 feet."

Yes, I did when I was 5, my brother said it sounded like a shotgun went off when that thing stuck in my head? Dad said I dropped like a sack of potato's. The doctors pulled it out and scanned my CAT?
1978 was the year, that is why we can't buy Yard Darts anymore. Most kids that happened to passed away, I have a incredibally Hard Head and small brain. I made it out with a really stiff neck and a 3/8 hole in my skull!

[toxicz28]

My advice....
Never stop learning. There's a good chance you will never know everything.
Always listen and be open to other peoples ideas/ suggestions. Even if you've been doing it for 45 years, a young gun could still teach you a thing or two.
Be humble, even if you are the best.

[Beeper]

Best advice I ever got from a paramedic "If its wet, gooey, and not yours dont touch it."
Be courtious, polite, and always ask questions even if you don't get it the first time.

[steemin]

When buying older cars do not be sucked in by the cosmetics.
It is easy to fall in love with a car from 20 feet away!
All Mustangs/Camaros/Goats/Cudas etc.. Look great with a decent paint job and a clean interior from a distance.

It is what you don't see that will make you miserable..
Bondo,poor sheetmetal alignment,poorly assembled components and of course RUST.
Make a checklist written or mental,(I prefer written)
Get up close and look at the attention to detail.
Crawl underneath the car. Drive the car in a variety of enviroments.
This wil save you time/money and misery.
Scott

[trapin]

Steer clear of trouble. Trouble never did a damn thing for anyone.

[vanzuuk1]

measure twice cut once.

planning, preparation and persistance.

Luck is everything, and the harder you work the better your luck will be.

Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail.

when you hear yourself saying "guys watch this" put your helmet on.

Never ASSume.

You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

[vanzuuk1]

And dont forget the sunscreen.

[Jim Nilsen]

Never buy a white car at night.
Look all directions everytime you decide to squeal your tires.
Don't race off duty police officers.
Check the air in your tires and in your head before long trips.
Never let your inexperienced girlfriend drive your car until she knows what a blower is.
No matter where you go or where you are, just remember one thing before you go home:
HOW TO GET THERE !


Jim Nilsen

[USAZR1]

Keep in mind the fact that you will never stop learning,,ever.
Always engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear.

[jackreggers]

Assuming you don't have a rich or powerfull relative, friend or someone beholding to one or the other.... Go to college or technical school and get the degree or certification. You may know more than everyone there you meet or are taught by but that isn't the question on the emplyment application. Take it from someone who learned the lesson late (at 34) and now looks at applications. A degree or technical qualification is the entry level cut-off. For the high paying jobs, it's the key point that gets someone to consider your application in a sea of applications. The rest is up to you but you won't get the chance if you don't get the call.
PS: Never, never ask for the salary in the interview. Wait for them to offer. Focus and re-focus on what you can do for your future employer and not what you can get from them.

[toxicz28]

Remember the 6 "P's"

Proper
Planning
Prevents
Piss-Poor
Performance

[steemin]

Good thread I am taking notes...
Scott

[slowcamaro]

And dont forget the sunscreen.

bwahaha..i saw that one coming.

[Jim Nilsen]

Jackreggers is right on about certificates and degrees. It's things like these that get you into the CLUB. Belonging to an organization, fraternity, union,country club, political group or many other CLUBS will get you a lot further in the door these days than actual character and knowledge. It is rather demeaning to the way the world should work but that is the way it is going. Everytime I look at the want adds I see them asking for a B.S. degree and think that all of the higher education got it's start with BS but not the kind you get from the people around you when you grew up!

Very good advice indeed.

Jim Nilsen

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Remember the 6 "P's"

Proper
Planning
Prevents
Piss-Poor
Performance


Don't forget the Four "F"s haha...

[Matt]

Thanks guys, good advice so far (I think ;))

I'm at a crossroads right now with what to do.
On one hand get hired on non-contract in my current job since I'm no longer allowed to put in for internal postings as a contract employee. (I'm the only person in my area with a bachelors degree, everyone else has high school or associates). While it pays well I don't see it being my future.

On the other I have a business idea I want to pursue, and now I think is the time to do it.

I really want an MBA, or to at least finish another bachelors (since I am less than 18hours from a polisci degree, an art degree, or a comm degree, and can have 3 degrees total in a years time, I have a Bachelors of University Studies now since I changed majors a few times).

I want to do some traveling, I spent 2 months in greece when I was 19 (25 now) and i want to see more of the world before I have to settle down.

I was just reading "Rich dad, poor dad" and realized both of my parents are in the poor dad -go to school, get a good job- mindset. So the more info and insight I can glean from others the better my odds of getting this stuff figured out.

Thanks guys,
-Matt

[Damn True]

There is a sucker at every table. If you can't figure out who it is, go cash in your chips now.

[Matt@RFR]

Never, ever pet a burning dog.

[jamesg602]

Although I have no advice to offer at the moment(I am also a young punk myself) I am definitley appreciating this topic that Matt started. And most importantly the repiles from everyone, what can I say this advice is priceless... :cool:

[EastCoast]

'Know what you don't know......'


This is something that I look for when hiring. Not all the answers are within your repository of knowledge. Being able to recognize that and get the help/advice that's needed is a valuable skill. I see too many people that are only willing to solve problems with the tools/methods that they are comfortable with and have a real problem with admitting that they don't have the answer! It's OK. I care more about the job getting done right!

Robb

[6'9"Witha69]

As my Grandpa always said: "We get so soon old and yet so late smart". He also said "remeber to take the key out of the chuck BEFORE you start the lathe/Drill press".

The big thing he always taught me was to try new things. Always learn and always grow. Never settle with "I don't know". His answer was always "look it up" or "ask!".

It looks like you are already on the right path since you started this thread.

My personal addition is that when you are doing something for yourself, do it for yourself! Not for anyone else!

[6'9"Witha69]

'Know what you don't know......'


This is something that I look for when hiring. Not all the answers are within your repository of knowledge. Being able to recognize that and get the help/advice that's needed is a valuable skill. I see too many people that are only willing to solve problems with the tools/methods that they are comfortable with and have a real problem with admitting that they don't have the answer! It's OK. I care more about the job getting done right!

Robb
This is what I look for as well. I have gone through ~20 resumes and interviews in the last 2 weeks. Confidence and arrogance are 2 differnt things. Confidence is knowing you can find an answer. Arroagnce is thinking you have tham all already. If that were the case I would interviewing a CEO, right??

[speedster]

Word of advice:

Do It Now...

You only live life once, but if you live it right, once is enough.

It's not the things in life that you do that you remember, it's the things you didn't do.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened ?

You are the one that makes things happen. So make them happen.

... and don't do a line-lock burnout in front of the police station on a dare from your buddy in the passenger seat. They get a little mad and your car doesn't run well inside the impound yard.

[vanzuuk1]

Never say "one more wheelie and then I am leaving"

When a guy with nine fingers talks safety, listen.

If a girl has more than three self help books, leave.

never use a person standing at the edge of the track as a braking marker.

[Damn True]

Zuuks post brings up some good women specific items.

Avoid a girl like the plague if:

She has more than two cats.
There is more than one stuffed animal in her room.
There is any kind of fuzzy carpet wrapping thing on the toiletseat, tank or lid.

[vanzuuk1]

Dude I thought I made up the one about the cats!

Also watch how she treats the waiter/cabdriver, thats how she will treat you eventually.

Watch how she orders her food , it will tell you a lot.

[Damn True]

I've been using it since the mid-80's. There is a chance it got into the Long Island lexicon when I lived in Brooklyn.

LOL

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Watch how she orders her food , it will tell you a lot.


And if you want to see how she'll look in 20 years, look towards her mom. :guilty:

[vanzuuk1]

Ralph, dont stare at her too much, one of two things could happen.

[zero g]

Don't be afraid to take risks in life.

If your'e gonna be dumb you had better be tough.

It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission..........

[toxicz28]

And if you want to see how she'll look in 20 years, look towards her mom. :guilty:


Boy I hope not!!!!!

[syborg tt]

I learned this from a dear friend who recently lost her life due to Brain Cancer

There are two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.

[Matt]

I'm liking what I'm reading, some really quality stuff.

The 2 ways to live is great, as is permission vs forgiveness.

Keep it coming :)

[David Pozzi]

Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Learn from others mistakes, if you keep your eyes open there's a lot to be learned everywhere you look. There are "tricks" to getting things done well or quickly, pay attention and you can learn some of them.

Be safe, use safety equipment, it's not cool or brave to have a piece of metal dug out of your eye or elsewhere, or have stitches, or broken bones for lack of thinking safe, pain and doctors fees aren't cool. Some of us were lucky and had good role models for safety, some haven't.

Invest in yourself, that hot engine or bling wheels will be old hat in a fiew years, spend some time or money on learning something and you will have it for a lifetime.

You don't have to know everything but you should know how to find it out. Build a reference library to consult when you need it.

Network, -It's great to focus on a task and "get-'er-done" yourself, but sometimes you need to rely on trusted experts, it might be a tire guy, a transmission shop, a doctor, lawyer or accountant. Pick people you get to know at least a little, the cool indifferent ones are not what you want in the long run.

Don't buy junk. Sometimes a Harbor Freight wrench set is all that is justified for a spare set of tools for the trunk, but often the really cheap stuff just isn't worth it and wil let you down when you need it most. I don't have Snap-On tools, I'm more of a Sears tool guy but these days Sears is dissapointing me, but that's another subject. I do treasure my original 60's Sears socket and end wrench set.

[Jim Nilsen]

Dave Pozzi hit the nail on the head about investing. I have had people ask me what I think is the best thing to invest in and I reply these days with "yourself" Putting money in the bank or a 401k is great if you have the money but putting it into an education that doubles your income or buying tools to get that job that pays more if you have your own tools, or buying something and fixing it up with the time and skills you have and selling it are all ways to invest in yourself.

Also remember that at times when you want to drop everything you are doing and get away from your problems you will probably take the cause of the problem with you and until you accept that, life will be harder than it has to be.

Accept responsibilty and accountablitiy for everything you THINK,SAY and DO and people will respect you for being honest about telling the truth even if it hurts them or yourself.

Jim Nilsen

[in2protour]

ask yourself, "is the juice worth the squeeze?"

[6'9"Witha69]

ask yourself, "is the juice worth the squeeze?"
Never heard that one, but it is a great way to approach situations and decisions.

[Dagger]

Don't eat the yellow snow. It's not lemon flavored!

[BonzoHansen]

I literally learned this from a bathroom wall: A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do or what a man’s gotta do ain’t gonna get done.

My grandpa taught me this: Don’t sh#t where you eat.

My old boss taught me this: If it won’t materially change your life, don’t steal it.

George Carlin: The average person is this stupid. That means ½ the people you meet are stupider than that.

Take all the free education your employer offers. They can’t take it back. Same for 401k matching $$

Pick your battles – some are not worth winning.

Like it or not, it is who you know, so never burn a bridge.

Your project car should never be your daily driver unless the project is done. But then again, if it’s done, it isn’t a project car anymore, now is it?

Safety first – being blind is not fun. Nor is being crippled or dead.

[Nine Ball]

If you have to borrow a specific tool twice, you need to buy one.

You get what you pay for...if you do the research to be an informed buyer.

Don't take any shortcuts when it comes to safety.

Spend a little more and buy the brand you want, otherwise you end up selling the inferior stuff later and spending even more to get what you wanted in the first place.

Be nice to all women, even the ugly ones have good looking friends.

If you build it half assed, others will notice.

Don't treat newer cars like collectibles. Drive the hell out of them, modify them, and enjoy them. Let someone else worry about restoring them later. (My Grandpa always regretted not enjoying his classics and musclecars, in fear it would hurt the future value.)

There is always someone badder, faster, smarter, etc...

If you don't know, don't be afraid to ask.

There is no such thing as finding the perfect woman, there is only finding the best woman that puts up with your crap, and likewise.

[toxicz28]

No matter how nice she is, or how good she looks(or is :naughty: ); someone, somewhere is tired of her crap!

Think before you speak.

Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

Don't say anything about someone behind their back, that you wouldn't say to their face.

Practice what you preach.

Be nice to your kids, they will choose your nursing home.

[Damn True]

Along the same lines as one of Tony's:

All women are crazy, all of them. The trick is to find one who's particular brand of crazy works with your brand of crazy.

[Motorhead]

1.Listen to the old farts. They're not as dumb as you think.

2.Find your calling, and figure out how to make a living at it. If your passionate about something the money will follow.

3.If it's worth doing, do it right the FIRST time.

4.Never stop learning. I try to read at least one non fiction book a month.

Here's a good quote from Ben Franklin

"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."

5.Don't be afraid of failure. If you never fail at something, you're not doing anything.

Here's another good quote. Thomas Watson, founder of IBM once said,

"The way to suceed is to double your failure rate."

6.If you are thinking of starting a business, now is the time to do it. Don't wait until you have a wife, two kids, and a mortgage.

[YoungGun]

Okay I thought another young guy should chime in and say thanks. I know I got alot to learn, and it is good to have forums like this to kind of help even the field. I feel that alot of us would never speak or normally be in the same social circle outside of these forums, but its great to have the smarts and guidance of the older members and also have them in return give respect for the younger guys who are trying to keep the hobby going. So thanks guys, I have been a member of Team Camaro since I was 14, and here since I was 16 (Now 19), so believe me I have learned alot.

I could add to the female comments too! They truly are alll crazy! Satanic in ways! Just coming off a breakup, so I got a good laugh at those ones!


Thanks
Tim

[syborg tt]

Okay a Couple more the first one if from an old boss and the 2nd one i heard today on XM Comedy Channel

Inspect what you Expect <---- Very Simple isn't it

You can lead a Horse to Water, But remember how a wet Horse Smells

[AAW]

This is good stuff... (but I'm not satantic or evil, I swear)

~Theresa~

[Jim Nilsen]

Safety lesson posting at a job I had in a woodshop.

If you think OSHA is a small town in Wisconsin you are seriously mistaken!

Also, if you have a guy nicnamed "Sparky" where you work and he is an electrician or maintenance man, be careful of everything he has worked on :fingersx:

Jim Nilsen

[Kenova]

Never, ever pet a burning dog.
:lmao: Welders!! :lmao:
Ken

[CarlC]

Youth and enthusiasm will always be defeated by old-age and treachery.

You have two ears. Listen twice as much as you talk.

[Bigblue73]

Women - Always get to know you girl friends family. The way they function or dis-function is an indication of what is in store in years to come.

People - Never think you can change people. You have to adapt. This makes you the stronger person.

Cause Mama Said So - Always wear clean underwear. You never know what will happen.

Career - Focus on what you do really well and build from there. Know your limitations.
Everyone that said Network. Big Time! Do it! Do It! I pays off in the long run.

A consultant isn't just a dumbass that couldn't get a real job. I had to become one to figure this one out.

[yellowrallys]

Read and reread Freiburgers column in March HOT ROD. Pay close attention to paragragh 4.

Never under estimate your ability to learn. If you can't afford to pay someone to do something, you must learn to do it yourself and then when you get good at it, people will pay YOU to do it.

[69Nova]

I just read this and must say thanks guys. I'm 20 and besides this providing a good laugh I did gain some good advice.

[Frank69]

A few things I've learned after surviving a war and 26 years in law enforcement. I think they can be applied to any profession.

Keep your weapon clean and know how to use it. (This would apply to any specialized tool in your particular field of endeavor)

Buy your own safety equipment. Remember, if the government gave it to you, the company that made it was the lowest bid (Same goes for any company tools/equipment).

Never volunteer, but if your dumb*ss partner does, then stand up, grab your gear, and back him up.

Never put your ego on the line in any conflict, you will lose every time.

Your brain is the most effective weapon you have, keep it sharp and use it before any others.

Humor, compassion and empathy will almost always be more effective than force.

And a couple from my 48 years of life in general:

Read everything you can get your hands on.
Travel is the best investment you can make in yourself.
Listen to the what people younger than you are saying....you will be enriched by their perspective

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Burn your bridges only if you can swim.

Never burn your ships.

[parsonsj]

My grandma used to say "everything in moderation".

David said it first, but I think it bears repeating: treat others the way you want to be treated.

My law of life: Question authority. Trust yourself.

jp

[Jim Nilsen]

Life is good, life is great
Goto work and don't be late

Jim Nilsen

[formula]

one I've picked up...never do ANYTHING purely on someone else's opinion of whether it will be good for you or not. They are not you, they don't know you. Only you can decide what is right for you in any decision. Listen to their opinion, weigh it for intelligence, and if it ends up being the right choice, do it. But don't let them make the choice for you. It may not seem like much, but I'm having to redo pretty much the top half of my motor because i didn't know anything when i first bought my car and a friend of mine told me to buy this that and the other. Turns out (through minimal fault of his own- he's an LS1 guy) that he had no idea whether the stuff i bought was good for my car or not, and now it's costing me dearly.

Long story short: take the time to figure out what's right, and then do it for yourself.

[ACEFOOTER]

Take the time to travel now while single. Always take the time to talk to the oldest person in the room, history repeats it self and they have lived it, and play with the youngest person, they still see the world with wonder in there eyes.

[toxicz28]

Disclaimer: This anti-advice is for entertainment purposes only!!!

May the bridges you burn light your way!
If at first you don't succeed, it wasn't worth doing.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Don't do today, what you could put off until tomorrow.
If a man answers, hang up!
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If not, hunt it down and kill it!

[6'9"Witha69]

Here is a quote from Colin Powell:

"Don't be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard. Learn from the pros, observe them, seek them out as mentors and partners. But remember that even the pros may have leveled out in terms of their learning and skills. Sometimes even the pros can become complacent and lazy. Leadership does not emerge from blind obedience to anyone."

This can pretty much sum it all up.

[BADVELLE]

I was once told that it takes a real man to fart on leather!! No, seriously, if you are or planning on the opportunity to become a dad one day, then take this one to heart:

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a DAD!"

This is all good advice, absolutely great thread!

[Jim Nilsen]

They always say that most people give up right about the the point at which they are about to succeed. Knowing when to quit and when to go on is the hardest decision.
Thinking about what will happen to others when making the decision is being unselfish but not always kind to yourself. Remember to ask yourself if the others you are doing it for are going to be around for you later?
You are the only one who will be with you for a lifetime and you can't take care of others if you can't take care of yourself.
We all have the ability to quit because it takes no effort,having the strength to go on sometimes takes only faith in yourself.

It takes being a friend to have a friend.

Having people who believe in you is priceless and believing in someone shouldn't cost you,you can't buy true friends you earn them!!

Pro-Touring.com is the best group of people you could ever want to be associated with :cheers:

The one about: "Is the Juice worth the Squeeze" is so ever present on my mind and is bringing reality to a decision that I am currently making in my life right now. If it even gives me a drop I can only hope it is sweet and not sour when I finally get to taste it.

You young guys might be learning from older advice but it is something that even us older guy's forget once in awhile. Getting older and forgetting is a reason to make sure you teach someone younger how to do it before you forget, it can help you in the long run.

Jim Nilsen

[whitess]

Some of the "older" guys may remember these:

Never pet a burning dog.
For a good time see Marge in Accounting.
Beware the Sands of Time, they get in your shoes.
Never trust a naked bus driver.

:)

[shmoov69]

If you keep on doing what you have been doing,
you will keep on getting what you have been getting.

[Bob Johnson]

opinions are like as* holes..everybody's got one..and most of em stink

[gsxrken]

Read, read, read. Your mind really is like a muscle, expanding when used and shrinking when idle. The smart money is on the kid that "always has his face in a book".

[Jim Nilsen]

A good friend told me last night:

Life is like lifting weights, if you keep lifting the same amount of weight everyday you will only become that strong. If you keep adding more weight it will get harder but eventually you will get stronger. So trying to do more than you know how or understand will make you smarter and wiser and able to do more and get more out of life. It may not be as easy but it is more rewarding.

Jim Nilsen

[CarlC]

Fish and guests stink after three days.

[toxicz28]

Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.
Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.
You can't stop change any more than you can stop the sun from setting.

[surlyjoe]

Great advice especially never pet a burning dog. I should be writing these down.
Here's a few de"motivational" ones

Losing: If at first you don't succeed failure may be your style.

Procrastination: Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now.

Stupidity: Quitters never win, winners never quit, But those who never win and never quit are idiots.

Defeat: For every winner there are dozens of losers, odds are you're one of them.

Failure: when your best just isn't good enough.

Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.

[toxicz28]

The gift of gab is not always a gift!

[toxicz28]

Work Smart! ANYONE can work hard.

[Matt]

Thanks guys... as I said I'm at a bit of a cross roads... that said I'm asking and listening. Keep it coming (and if you can shed light on my situation that I posted, please do)

:poke: