Welcome to a brand new year! Most years I am a bit sad to see the old year end, but this year I am happy to see 2015 out and excited to see 2016 in. The past year has been rough — but life goes on. Even in sad times, life is a grand adventure.

To put things in perspective, here is a list I received from my financial advisor (a fellow consultant.) Fun to read. It compares life in 1915 to life in 2015 — lot’s of changes in the past 100 years. I added a few of notes of my own.

In the Year 1915… (when my father was 3 years old…)

• The average life expectancy for men was 47 years (now 76, and 81 for women.)
• More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
• Only 6 per cent of Americans graduated from high school (now 81 per cent.)
• Only 14 per cent of homes had a bathtub.
• Only 8 per cent of the homes had a telephone.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• The American flag had 48 stars.
• Fuel for cars was sold in drugstores.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• The average US wage was 22 cents per hour.
• Sugar cost four cents a pound.
• Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
• Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
• Canned beer had not been invented yet (Official “birthday” was 1935.)
• The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
• An accountant could make $2000 per year. (Financial consultants did well.)
• An engineer could make $5000 per year. (Technical consultants did even better – Thanks to Edison et al, engineers were giants in those days 🙂 )

Is this the year to hang out YOUR consulting shingle? If so, start NOW to make it a reality. Don’t wait 100 years. If you are already consulting, congratulations!

Either way, hang out here and I’ll share more ideas on how to start, build, and maintain your small consulting practice. Check on Mondays for the latest post. 

Happy New Year from Uncle Daryl!

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