Home Sweet Home...

What an amazing adventure these past 9 days have been! I still cannot believe I actually completed Auction School, called bids, performed as a bid spotter, and basically conquered several huge fears.

This final day began with our normal drills. Then, each of us did a final job of selling an imaginary item. After a quick review, we took our final exam. (which was not easy!) The final test was graded on a pass/fail basis, and of course, our entire class passed! The results were followed by Mike and Lori distributing our diplomas, class pictures and class rosters. Whew!

Brent took me to lunch to celebrate, and then we began our 5 1/2 hour drive home. All day long I have been close to tears. I still cannot believe I did it!

I have always admired Brent and his colleagues for their talent, but my appreciation goes much deeper now. Not only are auctioneers masterful salespeople, they master their art of breathing, tone and speed. In addition, they manage a team (bid spotters and clerks) with hundreds of people watching. Many of these professionals carry their talents passed bid calling to complete marketing, managing and accounting of their costumer's assets.

I have watched Brent comfort a group of sisters before their mother's estate was sold, and then watched them crying for joy because Brent got such a high price for her items. We watch some liquidate businesses and farms, others are settling estates and some are dissolving partnerships. In every instance, we get the honor of helping these individual's through difficult times and honor them with doing the best job possible for them.

A final note struck me, some auctioneers are in the business to feed their own egos and pocketbooks. Others are in this industry out of respect and passion for the Auction Method of Marketing. They desire to honor the industry with strong work ethics and strong morales. I pray Brent and I will always be the latter. Congratulations November Class of 2011!

Day 8: Auction Day!!!!

Today I called the three first items of my life! Mike and Lori Jones host a Fun Auction on the final day to benefit St. Jude's and Scottish Rite Children's Hospitals. Students bring items, and all of the proceeds benefit these two hospitals. I do not know how much money they have raised over the years, but our class raised over $12,000! They have 4 classes a year! Amazing!!!!

So, how was it? Terrifying. A fellow student seemed to sum it up for me. In other instances in front of people,I can practice and know what I am going to say. But, in auctions, nothing is planned and can never be scripted! As long as we have been doing this, no two auctions have ever been the same and they never will be. So, you have to be able to adjust on the fly.

The fact is I did it! I am not sure how great I did, but I did it! This huge monster named Auction Chant was conquered today! I never would have dreamed I could ever do this! I do not have the drive or the desire to ever be a Champion Auctioneer, but I found strength and courage that I did not know I had this week.

I am so ready to see my girls. I am ready for them to see the fruits of my hard work. I am thankful I can appreciate Brent's talents and others like him. I am thankful that I know the courage I needed and that God gave it to me. What a night!

Day 3: I am toast...

Yes, the first words my husband said to me tonight were, "You sound like you are toast." I can not lie. It is only day 3, and I am toast.

I am truly amazed at how far all of us have come in such a short time. Seriously, incredible improvements. Even people that arrived with chants, have cleaned their chants up. Since Brent is an instructor, I know the instructors are told to get harder and harder on the students each day. Well, they did today, but it was all great stuff. We are really getting away from the drills and into our personal chants.

As for information, we heard from experts in the antique auctions, as well as the livestock auctions. Honestly, I wish Brent and I had done more in livestock after hearing Doak Lambert today. I love agriculture people! However, with our current business, we still get to work with the people we ag people, so I am thankful where we are and what we have.

So, today I am done. I am toast. I am exhausted! Maybe tomorrow I will have more, but not so much tonight. Good night all!

P.S. if you read this, I would love your comments, so I don't like I am in cyberspace alone. ;)

Day 1

I made it! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I called my very first lot today! It was an imaginary lot, but a lot nevertheless. As I walked up, Mike Jones took a few steps back. I am pretty sure my face betrayed me, and he was as confident as I was, that I was about to throw up every where. However, I followed his advice, took a deep breathe and began. I stumbled, I was slow, but I DID IT!

The most intriguing part of the day was the introductions. Every student took a turn and introduced themselves, told where they were from, described their family and explained why they were at Auction School. It was at this point, I felt like a traitor.

Over and over again, students explained how this had always been a dream, to be an auctioneer. Many explained how life was too short to be doing something they hated (being their jobs) for so many hours a day, and it was time to follow their dreams. Some are going to Auction School because it is a natural fit to their current occupations, but many are chasing a dream.

So why did I feel like a traitor? Because, I am not doing it for my dream, but rather to protect Brent's dream and protect something for our daughters' futures. I did imagine Brent all day, 11 years younger & 11 years more naive, stating he was chasing his dream. He recognized at such a young age that life was too short to do something you hated. Little did we know how hard it would be to start an auction company. There were blood, sweat and tears far more than most realize to chase this dream. Likewise, little did we know, the auction industry would lead us to such amazing places and such incredible people!

Then, my dinner was at a sushi bar & I sat reading Ernest Hemingway. My waitress came by, and began bearing her soul to me. (This honestly happens to me a lot!) Stephanie, my waitress, told me she was a Dance Major. I told her my biggest regret was quitting dance. She said she had considered a teaching degree, but dance was her passion and her dream. I told her to never give up on her dream!

When we are doing the thing that makes our hearts beat faster, the thing that makes us giddy with hope, and the thing that brings a huge smile to our face, it is never a waste of time. Sometimes our dreams get tweaked a bit down the road, but never forget or give up on your personal dream. Life is too short to settle for someone else's dream or to forget your dream all together.

Today was a great day! I went against my personal giant (bid calling) and held my own. I learned a great deal about why Brent does certain things that he does, and I met some incredible people. Before I say "Good Night", tell me what is your dream? I would love to know!

P.S. I can not say enough about how Mike & Lori Jones are raising the bar of expectations in the Auction Industry! They challenge each student over and over again to strive for excellence. By doing this, they are making the Auction Industry stronger for all of us.