Mechanical control, biological control, chemical control…

What does it mean to be in control?

Well, that is a fascinating question, and one that percolates from every aspect of arboriculture. It applies to the climber, the chemical applicator, to sales and to research and to billing. Arborists need control in terms of safety and in terms of profit. The concept of control is vague and deep. But the origin and the destination of control must always be thy’ self.

Maybe a list of excuses would provide familiar substance: the ground guy, the green horn, the sales person, the spray nozzle, my phone, my email,the client, the client’s dog, the economy, the neighbor, the neighbor’s dog, the other contractor, the other client, the truck motor, the chipper clutch, the trailer tire, the hydraulic hose, the board member, the chairperson, the shade tree committee, the government, the bank and the judges. Those are all excuses arborists use as scapegoats in defending a subsequent loss of control that influences unfavorable outcomes.

Here’s a little note on tradecraft. Self control is easily the most overlooked quality we have as arborists. The production lifestyle catches up, we have no time, not enough employees, the control is slipping away. Too many meetings, too many clients, too many calls, too many trees. We get cut, or worse.

But that’s just another excuse.

We can deeply enhance our experience as arborists by looking inward. If you can stop for a minute, and ask yourself what really makes you lose control, there are ways to fix this problem. Many times we project frustrations with ourselves onto other people, other things or other situations. Focus for a minute on yourself, when you feel control slipping away. Chances our anxiety is creeping in, and anger is boiling below, and all that ugliness can be mowed over if you realize it and identify it and bring it into focus. Self control totally lies within.

It’s a tool like a chainsaw and a block and a prussic is a tool. Tools need to be inspected, mulled over, stored properly, maintenanced often, many times replaced and not abused. Respected. Self control is just as productive a tactic as email marketing or double block rigging. It will serve you better the more you can master it, like closing on a sale or identifying a scale. Self control is a pest and a disease. It is also a management plan.

This is a simple thing to work on. It is always available to file down, blow out or fuel up, and it’s cost free. The investment will bring huge returns.