I recently changed positions at my place of employment.
I’ve been with the company for a couple of years now, and I thoroughly enjoy selling used Harleys. What a great job! I’ve wondered why I didn’t start doing this years before I did.
It’s been fun meeting new people and sharing in their excitement when they land on the bike of their dreams. Harleys have always been a passion of mine , so spending my days talking about them is not like work at all. Being a biker myself definitely has its advantages too.
I guess as long as I can hold one up, I’ll ride a Harley. In fact, at the time of this writing, I ride 15-20 different Harleys every day. Selling them comes in a close second to riding them.
My former sales manager and immediate supervisor, is a veteran biker too. He’s been in the Harley business for over thirty years, and has worked with this company since its inception. He was instrumental in helping build the company to what it is today. To protect his identity, I’ll just call him Benny.
The Old Man and the Harley: A Last Ride Through Our Fathers’ America
Being about the same age, Benny and I have a lot in common and quickly bonded as friends. Even though neither of us are tattooed and pierced, nor have we ever been members of a riding club or motorcycle gang, we’re Harley guys. We are Harley guys because of a deep-rooted love for the bikes and their legacy.
There seems to be an uncanny connection between bikers, sort of like a brotherhood. One that provides some level of comfort, and a feeling of security, even trust. That being said, not everyone that rides a Harley is a Harley guy – or Harley gal for that matter.
I realized this first hand when Benny got replaced by a man 20 years his junior, who knew nothing about Harleys. Benny was demoted, his salary was cut and he felt humiliated. Regardless of whether or not we agree with it, progress always brings change with it.
Because of my friendship with Benny, and the fact that I wasn’t adjusting very well to the new sales manager’s lead, I left the in-house sales team to work a part-time hourly position at the dealership. I was also granted the privilege to continue selling used Harleys as an outside salesman, and I’ve begun a new online entrepreneurial journey as well.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
So, is there some moral to this story? I’m sure there are many. A couple may be – “You can’t judge a book by its cover” and “Nothing’s Guaranteed”. Well, almost nothing. I can think of a few things that are absolute. Although a “J-O-B” is not one of them.
All I know is that sometimes when we’re faced with a decision, we have to follow what we believe is the right thing. It may be easier to go with the flow, but we have a responsibility to ourselves for our own contentment. And even if it puts us in the less-than-desirable position of not knowing what’s next, it may be a blessing in disguise.
Anytime we choose to go against the flow and swim upstream, there will always be real challenges. And sometimes when unexpected change occurs, it brings with it choices that provide new opportunities. In my case, it was an indicator that I needed to move in another direction. Hopefully, generous rewards will result.
Remember, when you hear the roar of a waterfall, you’re almost out of time – better swim the other way, fast!
Keep on strokin’!
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