48 10-4 Magazine / January 2026 because of the convenience – it does not require a great effort to pop in or out at a moment’s notice to accommodate an opportunity that might arise. It’s kind of like the Spot Market or load boards. This is not the only place I can hunt, but it’s the one I have grown accustomed to. How many of us look at our lease agreement or freight contracts the same way? Are we really committed to it, or is it just convenient, available, and close to home? Back in my November column, I mentioned the use of an E-tool to clear your field of fire when in a military engagement. In that case, the tool was a folding, handheld multi-use instrument for clearing obstructions from shielding your vision down a concentrated area. This month, I want to use a different tool: the “I-tool” – intelligence, insight, and inspection, along with a heavy dose of observation. It’s the point of observation that is our main concern. This year I have been warned by my medical staff to sit out deer season and stay in the house. They tell me I need to let the body heal before I jump back into a full time schedule of activity. Who knew I might actually follow their advice, but here I am. It’s on their advice that I gained a whole new perspective of my hunting area. I’m no longer limited to the same old three acres of woodland and scrub brush to see potential. In fact, that whole area is shielded from my view by a row of trees and a bank of dirt. I have been so preoccupied with my “little old wood lot” that I have overlooked a much larger and more productive space. Yes, I was successful, but was I getting my best opportunity? With any worthwhile endeavor, preparation is a key element. Having the right tools and knowing how to use them is essential. Next, know what you’re looking for so there is no time wasted on window shopping when you are not qualified or capable of fulfilling the requirements. Have you committed to an appropriate time schedule for your search? Most hunts start long before sunrise, so you are in place before any action starts. Remember that old cliche, the early bird gets the worm? When you’re seeking new business choices, be vigilant. If you wait too long to seek opportunities, they may already be filled, or the value may have reduced due to overexposure. If you move too soon and make a lot of noise getting in place, your element of surprise may be lost. The potential for change may go to a stealthier opponent – one with a better vantage point. In other words, don’t wait until the last minute to jump ship and land in a worse situation than you were in before. We had a friend stop over while I was confined to the home-20. If you’re not familiar with that terminology, it’s trucker talk for “home base” (my house). While we were visiting, she commented on what a striking view we had of the surrounding area from that vantage point, which is our family room. That was the spark that connected a long list of options I had been thinking about for this article. First, in any business, the experts always claim the key to success is location, location and location! Using that analogy, the key to the new year and possible opportunities will be relative to your vantage point or location. Are you only looking at last year’s options or are you moving in new circles and getting different views from a better perspective? Are you getting the eagle’s point of view, circling high above the competition, or are you still only looking over your three-acre wood lot, sitting under a tree? Yes, it has been reliable, and you feel safe hunting there, but is it time to step back, look ahead, and start actively seeking better opportunities? Chances are good that 2026 can offer new looks and greater potential for your future. But where you look is up to each of us, and what you’re looking for is also in your command. How far you travel to seek your next challenge will be determined by your vantage point, and understanding the signs will definitely improve your potential for success. However, it will require more than just acting on good intelligence, sound business practices, and the determination to keep advancing forward. It will also require faith in yourself, the ability to lead others who depend on your support for their safety, and the unwavering strength of a warrior. “It’s hard to soar with eagles when you hang out with turkeys.” There is no “season” for success. The hunt for our survival is a yearly endeavor, and you can find opportunity in every direction. If you can’t see the future clearly from where you are now, then move to a different location with a new vantage point and perspective and begin to see your surroundings through a fresh set of eyes. Here’s to the New Year and all the new opportunities that await you. Now stop waiting and just go get them, 10-4! n
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy