Tip: Don’t panic!
Whoever said that necessity was the mother of invention certainly understood the principle that I am trying to convey in this week’s Tip. There are people right now who are working diligently to find alternative solutions to our energy challenges. There are many people who would prefer our country be self sustaining rather than dependent upon foreign countries for our energy needs. We do not know at the present moment where all of this is leading, but I can assure you of one thing; it is leading to a whole new source for energy. There is a fortune to be made for the ones who find these alternative methods. When problems and challenges occur, the key is not to panic – but start looking for new and better ways of doing things. This applies not only in the energy industry, but in every area of life.
Years ago, there was much discussion about what would happen when we ran out of coal. Because coal had been the natural fuel source for energy for so many years, it was looked at as the only fuel source for energy. I can still remember as a small boy watching my grandfather put big pieces of black coal in the pot belly stove in the middle of the family room keep the house warm.
Then, someone came along and asked why we should be limited to one source. Why not try to find another method? And, that was the beginning of the oil industry. The same thing is happening now. There are many people who are looking for alternative methods of energy in order to resolve this challenge once and for all.
I hope you will not think that this Tip is only about oil, coal and energy. That is really not the purpose of the Tip at all. My point is that all of us should open our eyes and look around for alternative ways of doing things, whether it is in the office, at home, in relationships, at church or in business.
I met a gentleman years ago who worked for the Thomas Edison Company. He said that each employee had a sign in their office that said, “There is a better way; find it!” He told me, however, that the employees of the company had re-written that motto. The inside joke was, “There is a way – you’d better find it!” In either case, the point is simple: Look for better ways of doing things!
In the last one hundred years we have gone from the slow mode of travel of the horse and buggy to flying in jets around the world in a matter of hours. That is because someone was looking for a better method of transportation.
When was the last time you looked for a better way of doing things – for instance, the storage in your closet? You see, someone looked in his closet one day and thought of a better way to save space and the next thing you know, the whole industry of closet design was born. There are even companies that will come into your house and organize your closets for a fee. You can now purchase a special kind of bag so a vacuum cleaner can suck the air out of the bag after you have put the clothes inside, to flatten them out and offer more space and storage under your bed. Someone is making a lot of money on that concept. And, the reason is because they were looking for a better way of doing things. Many of these practical ideas and inventions make our lives easier, better and more enjoyable in the long run. They all were born out of someone trying to doing things in a better manner rather than staying frustrated all day long!
In the movie Michael, the angel tells his friends, “I invented the line!” They said, “You did what?” He said, “Yes, I invented the line. Before that time everyone was just milling around!” See how important good ideas are?
Keep your eyes on the future. Don’t get bogged down in the “panic mode” that many people live in on a daily basis. Start looking for new opportunities and better ways of doing things. That is how fortunes are made!
I started practicing this principle about twenty years ago. I constantly keep my eyes open and look for new opportunities and better ways of doing things. It has helped me to see things that I otherwise might have overlooked. The same will be true of you if you stay calm, keep your eyes open and look for solutions. Try it this week and see what you see!
Tip: Don’t panic!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
