Why It Is So Important to Follow My Predictions

It’s Tuesday, you are reading my blog, courtesy of USGlass. When this blog started it was intended as a vehicle giving practical advice to our big family in the glass industry. Today I offer you proof of how to take my advice.

Do the opposite.

Here’s the story. In September our heating oil technician visited and did the annual tune-up on our boiler. We have steam radiators powered by a large boiler in the basement. He told me that everything was alright, but the boiler was beginning to look a little tired. I asked him how he knew, and he couldn’t tell me. But he had been doing this for 20 years and it was just instinct.

I called the heating company main office and a young engineer came out, inspected the boiler, and prepared a quote to replace it … almost $6000. The engineer said we had a couple of years left, and not to rush into it. He left it up to me to make the decision.

OK, you have guessed what happened. I said ‘no’ to replacing it when it would be easy and no rush in September. Yesterday, the boiler cracked. It’s done for. Last night was 4 degrees and it got cold in the house. Today it is going up to 20. A heat wave. We have gas fireplaces and a few electric heaters, so we have made the house liveable, with three layers of sweatshirts on.

When an old-timer gives you a suggestion, it pays to listen. Now, some people think I am an old-timer (just ask my son) but I think I am young.

So, back to the headline, whenever I give a prediction, do the opposite. You are guaranteed to come out ahead.