When Perfect Isn’t Possible (But We Try Anyway)
Anyone who knows me knows I've never claimed to be perfect - that's not exactly breaking news. But writing this post still feels like peeling back layers to show something more real. Not to be braggadocious (there are so many amazing professionals in this industry who work just as hard as we do), but to share what it really looks like when a team dedicates themselves to excellence, even when things don't go exactly as planned. It's about those moments when we take a deep breath, admit something isn't right, and fix it. So here goes - a look behind the curtain at what dedication really looks like, imperfections and all.
When Perfect Isn't Possible (But We Try Anyway)
It's Thursday, and any other Thursday would have me frantically going over our preview checklist for the umpteenth time, watching our incredible crew execute everything with the precision they're known for. They're the ones who make us look good - actually, they're the ones who make us great. Every photo carefully taken, every measurement double-checked, every condition report meticulously prepared. They're the best in the business, and I don't say that lightly. I say it because I see it in action every single day.
Today is oddly quiet – no auction ending, no familiar rush of adrenaline, just me staring at an escrow check where I managed to write the wrong name – wrong first name, wrong last name, though hey, at least I got the first letters right! Small victories, right? It's humbling, really. Here I am, making a basic mistake, while our crew consistently handles complex logistics and detailed inventory with remarkable accuracy.
You know those moments when you look at something you've done and think, "Who in their right mind could do something like that?" That was me today, wondering where my brain had gone. The self-berating was epic, I must say. Meanwhile, our team is already three steps ahead, adjusting schedules and making plans to ensure everything stays on track despite my clerical mishap.
But here's the thing about being the best – it's not about any one person never making mistakes. It's about having a team that works together, catches each other, and makes things right when they go wrong. Today, our crew is redoing an auction because collectively, we weren't satisfied with our first attempt. Did I have a fit about it? You bet. But watching them jump into action, methodically fixing and improving everything without complaint – that's what excellence looks like.
Planning in the auction world is like trying to play chess on a board that keeps rearranging itself. We're calculating whether one dumpster might do the job instead of two, potentially saving an estate $550. It means driving forty miles one way to haul trash, but our team doesn't hesitate. If it saves our client money and helps the environment, they'll make it work – assuming Mother Nature cooperates with our timing. That's who they are – always thinking ahead, always looking for ways to do better by our clients.
Some days, I wonder if my moral compass is stuck on its highest setting. Then I look at our crew, and I realize it's not just me. They bring that same level of dedication to everything they do. That auction we're redoing? They're not just fixing it; they're improving it, because that's their standard. We're not just handling paperwork or items; we're handling people's lives, memories, and futures. And nobody understands that better than our team.
The lessons in this business are like vintage items at our auctions – they keep coming back around, sometimes with a new finish, sometimes with a few more scratches, but always valuable. Today's lesson? Perfect isn't always possible, but excellence is non-negotiable. We learn, we adapt, and we succeed because we have a crew that embodies these principles every single day.
In the end, who are we? Sure, I'm the auctioneer, but we're a team of specialists who make the impossible look routine. Every person brings their expertise – from photography to logistics, from customer service to heavy lifting. They're part accountants, part therapists, part logistics coordinators, and full-time guardians of people's trust. On this strange, quiet Thursday, as we reset and recalibrate, I'm reminded that our pursuit of perfection isn't about any one person – it's about a dedicated team working together.
And maybe that's what makes us truly the best – not that we never make mistakes, but that we have the right people to make things right when we do. Though I still need to fix that check and finish giving myself that lecture, I know we'll get through this like we get through everything: together, as a team, pushing for excellence every step of the way.
