The Challange
The challenge is not just to enroll into the exciting collision repair technology programs, which offer a rewarding, lucrative and challenging career, but to enroll with the intentions of learning and applying what you learn to become a top performer in the automotive industry. I read a quote by Laurence J. Peter that makes a lot of sense to me. “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.” The same stands true for education. Simply knowing how to do something is useless if you’re not willing to use what you know to do it. Another example is like looking at a road map. You can look, read and study a map all day or even all year on how to travel from here to Texas. You may discover all the alternate routes you could travel, but unless you get into your car and drive there, you are still here in Kansas. Just knowing the information will not get you there, just like reading the Atkins Diet book will not make you loose weight. You must apply what you learn to reap the benefits.
The challenge is to enroll in this class, have an interest in automotive or collision repair technology, have good attendance, have a good attitude, be a team player, and be willing to learn and apply what you learn in order to become the champion of your trade. You may be saying “Yeah right!” Well, if that’s your attitude that is what will always separate you from the doers, leaders and champions. The world is full of half doers and slackers. When they see a challenge they turn the other way and run. They show up to class just to receive the minimum grade to slide through or go to work just to receive a paycheck. However, top performers have a different mindset. They understand all the efforts they apply will reward them for the rest of their life. They are willing to stay focused on a goal until they have reached it. They fight hard for what they believe in, but pick their battles wisely. They see limitations and obstacles as challenges to overcome, not excuses to fail. They get back up when knocked down, instead of claiming that the challenge at hand can’t be done. They base their future goals on what can be done, instead of focusing on their past failures. And they’re always willing to help others up instead of laughing at them while they’re down. These are the individuals who will be at the top of their careers, with the successful jobs, earning a lot of money, and having enough income to do all the things they desire.
According to I-Car the national average income for a collision technician earns over $51,000 and the top 10 % of technicians make over $88,000 a year. Many technicians even decide to start and operate their own successful business leaving the earning potential unlimited. Are you going to be successful or are you someone that will scrape by to make ends meet? The choice is yours. The things and values you consider success are up to you. Your teachers, parents, or friends can’t make these choices for you. It’s all up to you. If you’re a slacker you can change. If you were not an honor student in school, you can improve and still become successful. If you have limitations you can overcome them. However, no one can help you if you are not willing to let them. If you’re not willing to learn, to work hard, to complete assigned tasks, to help others, be present and on time, or to stay up with the fast paced changes and challenges of technology, than this class is not a good fit for you. This class will be a waste of your time and a waste of our time. You may need to consider another career that does not require the physical application and challenges this industry requires. However, if you are willing to enroll in this career with the mindset of a champion, then we dare you to take the ultimate challenge that collision repair technology has to offer you.
~Donnie Smith
Dare to take the challenge!
“Challenges Produce Champions”