Land and Water

POSITIVE INFORMATION HELPS PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS

by Kenneth M. Rasch, President Land and Water

I can remember coming to breakfast in a grouchy mood. My wife Jane responded, "What would you like thrown into your cage this morning?" A cheery greeting helps get a cheery response.

We are influenced by the "news" (mostly negative). As a matter of fact, we cannot get away from it. Recently on a trip to buy a machine, I needed sleep and some peace and quiet. I wound up in an upscale motel, which turned out to be the only room I could find. When I woke in the morning, I discovered a newspaper had been shoved under the door that read in glaring headlines, "Stock market plunges." This is just what I don’t need. Now what do I do – my plan was to buy some equipment, but now with this report, along with the prediction we are in a recession, maybe I should not buy now. I wonder if I should believe them that things are so bad or my accountant who actually knows me and my business.

Thinking this over, the paper ended up in the wastebasket, and my decision to buy went ahead. I ended up with a very nice hydroseeder that can be used in our business as planned. Our business is fine, with more opportunities than we can keep up with. I just have to stay away from bad news. I can see that it can be hazardous to your health, both physically and as a business. Besides, you don’t know what might get thrown into your cage!