A Note from the President:
What is it they say about change…something about inevitability right? Well, if you all are anything like me, the first quarter of the year 2022 has brought more change than you want to admit. From changing HR expectations with the constant pressure to increase minimum wages to the changing housing and fuel markets, the changing supply chain issues and changing political environments with primary elections, it certainly feels like the ground beneath our feet is shifting at a faster pace then in the last several quarters. Although we all just came out on the other side of a once in a lifetime event and had to learn new and different ways to keep our businesses going, in many ways, the pandemic slowed change. We couldn’t implement that new program or have that attraction event, expectations for growth were paused, we had a routine of same and safe and for the better part of 2 years, we lived there. Now, 2022 has pushed us to venture out of the routine, out of the safe, and right smack into the middle of the unknown. John F Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”. What is changing in your world, professionally or personally, that is terrifying, overwhelming, or just plain daunting. Is it a new opportunity for your business that is outside of your norm? Perhaps there is the prospect of new leadership or employees. Maybe you are like me, and everything you have known in your professional world is shifting, changing, and you are being forced out of the comfort zone you have come to conquer, facing new insecurities, and staring the unknown right in the eye. There is something to be said about consistency, steadiness, and contentment. They certainly have their place in our businesses and in our lives, but what is there to be said about ambition? Ambition and I have a love/ hate relationship, I can assure you. But the things I have learned about myself and about my employees while facing change are some of my favorite facts! I have repeated Maya Angelo many times and will again here. “If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”. How true is this? Attitude really is everything. This month, I would challenge us all to face change from a place of excitement and positivity. The outlook makes all the difference. I once had a COO tell me in a conversion to “always assume good intent”, and I certainly try! Assuming good intent gives change the opportunity to do its work to bring us to a better place, a more successful place, or a place of growth from failure. Like I tell my kids- “If you aren’t failing- you aren’t trying!”
Here’s to a strong 2nd quarter- full of new opportunities and all the change our hearts can handle!
Godspeed
Ashley Hawkins, President, Post Area Chamber of Commerce
“To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often” -Winston Churchill