Macy Lee Eaves

Hi Friends,

I write all of you this week a little bit bummed. You see, my mom and aunt came to Indianapolis to spend the weekend with me... now I am back to being all alone! The sadness didn't really hit me until I get back to my hotel and for the first time in 3 days, there is no one here again.... What did they tell me before they left though, "just remember, Macy... only 6 more weeks!"

While that comment brings up a really good point and good motivation, it is hard to believe that the summer is half way over. One thing is for sure, time sure does fly by.

Last week on the job, was one of my favorite and most productive yet. For one, I made yet another pretty big sale when a sale wasn't initially in order. I went to meet with a retailer to go find a field, and then went to pick up the farmer. While we accomplished the task we set out for, me the salesman, just couldn't settle there. So what are the end results of that.... selling one of our most profitable products! Yay! I am the type of person who likes to see the results of my hard work right away, and that is one thing I really enjoy about sales. Sometimes (this this particular case,) it may start out small, but eventually becomes large. So if they spray a chemical on 80 acres and like the way it works, most likely, the next year they will spray all of their acres. If you can ever just get a farmer to try your product, a good result is very likely. It's like they always say... start with baby steps.

Working by myself has been very fun, but also somewhat challenging. There is something to say about being familiar with all of the towns, and county's in a state. Do I know them in Indiana? Not really, but I am learning!

Each and every week I am learning a tremendous amount. I enjoy being an intern because I feel like most people are extremely willing to help me. For example, I also got to go to a layering barn last week. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is a barn where eggs are collected from. 200,000 birds in one barn! If you think that sounds crazy, well believe me, it is. I walked in and was just completely in awe of the production facilities and operations that took place in this one barn. It seems as if I am truly learning so much more about Agriculture outside of just corn and soybeans. The retailers enjoy showing and teaching me about Indiana Agriculture and all that is has to offer. These are not things I can do or see in Texas, which makes it that much more enjoyable.

I was talking with a friend the other day about our Individual Strengths. He asked me if one of mine was "learner" and I said no... After talking about it a while, we both agreed that we think our strengths are changing at the different parts in our life. For example, I think that if I took the strenghts finder assessment again today, I would have different results than when I took it last fall in ALED 301. Why is this? Because there are certain points in our life that force us to become different types of peoples. If I did not enjoy learning right now, I probably would not be very successful in this job.

Harmony was my top strength last time I took the assessment, and I would be willing to bet it is not my type strength today. If I worry to much about pleasing people and making sure everyone is 100% happy with me, I would not be doing my job. At the beginning of the summer, if a farmer wouldn't call me back after the first time, I would just get so frustrated and wouldn't want to call back in fear that I might step on someone's toes. Well guess what I've learned.... that method will get me no where! Anyways, just some food for thought, maybe I should take strengths finders again and find out! :)

Hope you all have a blessed week

-Macy