(Spanish silver from a Florida beach.)
Here are the last five items in my top 10 list of personal mistakes to avoid in treasure hunting:
6. Failing to understand the essential nature of treasure hunting: novices or newcomers are most likely to make this mistake, but over the years I've seen a few veteran treasure hunters fall prey to this one as well. The bottom line is this: treasure hunting is not a get-rich-quick scheme nor is it typically a viable alternative to your current job or livelihood.
Very few treasure hunters are able to support themselves through their search/recovery activities, let alone become a Mel Fisher or Tommy Thompson. Treasure hunting is often difficult, dirty, painstakingly frustrating, expensive, and sometimes dangerous work with no guarantee of success. It's good to dream big but keep those dreams rooted in reality.
Very few treasure hunters are able to support themselves through their search/recovery activities, let alone become a Mel Fisher or Tommy Thompson. Treasure hunting is often difficult, dirty, painstakingly frustrating, expensive, and sometimes dangerous work with no guarantee of success. It's good to dream big but keep those dreams rooted in reality.
7. Making enemies in the treasure hunting community: one of the worst things you can do as a treasure hunter (novice or veteran) is to deliberately alienate or make enemies of other treasure hunters, investors, or equipment suppliers. How is this done? By being an arrogant loudmouth or know-it-all, trying to run hustles or scams, ripping off treasure hunters by selling sub-standard gear or false leads, or simply by being a flaming rear end in general. With the multitude of ways we have to communicate these days the word gets around quickly in terms of who to trust and who to avoid. Trust me, it's a bonehead move to become persona non grata in the treasure hunting community.
8. Allowing treasure hunting to become an obsession: admittedly, this is a tough one and I've had to fight my own personal demons in this regard over the years. The whole treasure hunting thing can really get into your blood (a good thing) and can often become the primary focus of your daily life and endeavors (not always a good thing). If you are one of the few individuals out there making a living at treasure hunting, then this fixation and focus is warranted to a great degree. After all, treasure hunting is your "job." That said, anytime your mining fixation makes your home life suffer, leaves necessary household chores undone or bills unpaid, or causes you to neglect your family or loved ones, then it's time to "get your mind right," reassess, and prioritize.
9. Failing to deliver the "goods:" there is an old adage that says "talk is cheap" and nowhere is this more true than in treasure hunting. Although the very nature of treasure hunting is dependent to some degree on luck, fate, or chance, most successful professional treasure hunters don't make promises that they can't deliver on. So don't be one of those ego-driven blowhards who, as another old saying goes, "make promises that their hind qaurters can't deliver." Why? Well, aside from earning a well-deserved reputation as an idiot, the people most likely to get hurt by your failure to deliver the "goods" will be your treasure hunting partner(s), your investors, or your family or loved ones (all of whom invested their time, effort, money, and emotional well being to your care and trust). What's the basic lesson here? Don't let your mouth run away with you.
Metal Detectors
10. Not taking the time to help others: although most experienced treasure hunters are decent, value-driven folks who are pretty good about helping others, there are those who don't or just won't (and I've met my share over the years). Why this is I am not exactly sure. Perhaps their egos are running rampant or their hearts are hard and filled with rancor and bitterness. Whatever the cause, don't you become one of these selfish types because you'll gain few friends, supporters, investors, or potential treasure hunting "pards" along the way. Besides, one of the most satisfying and deeply appreciated things you can do is to pass on your treasure hunting experience, skills, and knowledge to others, especially those who are just starting out as treasure hunters.
That's it for this round. Take care out there and good hunting to you.
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Top 10 Personal Mistakes to Avoid in Treasure Hunting (Part 1)"
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Top 10 Personal Mistakes to Avoid in Treasure Hunting (Part 1)"
(c) Jim Rocha (J.R.) 2012
Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com
