When it comes to turkey hunting a honey hole is gold. That one spot that produces year after year. If you are fortunate enough to find a honey hole don’t tell anyone. Because it won’t take long and it will become their honey hole.
My dad (Rod) and I have a honey hole. We argue about it all the time. Rod says it’s his spot. I say it’s mine. He says he found it first. I respond I perfected it. He thinks he is old and I should give it to him. I point out he is old and has enjoyed it long enough. We usually compromise and go to the honey hole together.
Opening day of the 2017 Nebraska shotgun turkey season we decided go to the honey hole. I took my bow. He carried a double barrel .410. Why does Rod turkey hunt with a .410? Because turkey’s have to be close for the .410 to be effective, and he likes the challenge. He has proved time and time again that the double barrel .410 can get the job done.
The agreement was I would get first shot with my bow if a tom came into the decoys. He would back me up with the trusty .410.
We arrived at our blind half an hour before shooting light and right on cue toms were gobbling all around us. After the fly down they continued to be vocal. I knew it was only a matter of time before one would come in. This is the honey hole after all.
Eventually it started to rain and everything became silent. Rod used this opportunity to take a nap. His napping in the turkey blind is about as predictable as the honey hole.
When the rain stopped a couple of toms started gobbling. They were close. It wasn’t long and two long beards were heading our way. A double started to cross my mind.
The mature gobblers were approaching from the side. Another 15 yards and they would be in the decoys allowing for a shot with my bow. They hesitated and started to circle behind us. I noticed Rod slowly stick his barrel out the blind window. I couldn’t see the turkeys and whispered “what’s the plan?” BOOM! Gobbler down!
As we picked up the blind I saw some old shells in the grass. This is the telltale sign of a honey hole. I smiled and thought about all the hunts we have had in the honey hole. I was thankful for our success.
How does this apply to business?
In my last blog I discussed the importance of making adjustments to your strategy as the market dictates. These don’t need to be major changes. Often they will be minor tactics that are easy to implement.
The Japanese have a word “Kaizen.” This refers to continuously improving one’s situation. Our honey hole is a result of “kaizen.” We have never made major changes. Only small adjustments. Rotating the blind. Trimming a tree. Sitting longer
In fact when we decide to try something different (like moving the blind) the honey hole never produces.
Consider implementing the concept of kaizen into your life. Below are five steps to get you started.
How to implement kaizen:
1. What aspect of your business/life do you need to improve?
2. What change can you implement to make this aspect 1% better?
3. Repeat number 2
4. Repeat number 2
5. Repeat number 2
I think you get the idea.
Until next time remember “You’re going to have to earn it”