HOT PURSUIT
On Monday, I was invited to speak at the noon Rotary in Owatonna. Of course, I never turn down an opportunity to speak about my favorite subject—community journalism.
As I was preparing for this speaking engagement, I gave considerable thought to what message I wanted to leave the group. I wanted to share something that went beyond the typical newspaper lingo that often finds its way into a presentation by a newspaper publisher or editor.
I decided to focus on some life lessons that anyone can utilize in whatever they do for their life work.
One of the life lessons I’ve been frequently reminded about over the years in my own personal life is how hard work can eventually pay off in a big way. That has been so true in my career, which spans over four decades.
I’ve had many triumphs and failures that I’ve personally experienced over my years in media and law enforcement. As many of you likely know and probably have experienced yourselves, life is full of twists, turns and challenges that often come out of nowhere and smack you right alongside the head.
My life has certainly not been immune to adversity and dealing with what can be considered failure. Or is it? I rather look at my shortcomings as opportunities. Sometimes they can be quite painful, but they lead to making a person stronger. I have experienced many challenges in my personal life, professional careers and business. Failure, if that’s what you choose to call it, builds character and brings you one step closer to success. I look at it as an opportunity to grow in ways I may have never even thought of before.
The “failures” I have experienced have put me in the front row seat to achieving success. I am driven now more than ever to succeed and do amazing things for the communities we serve.
It’s amazing where hard work, high energy, positive attitude, passion and dedication will bring a person.
Don’t underestimate me. There are many times where I’ve wanted to run for the hills, bury my head in the sand and give up. But that does nobody any good. Nobody wins when that happens.
The adversity I have faced has led me to steer this newspaper in a positive direction. I believe I have figured out how to make this newspaper thrive in challenging times and a changing environment. I truly believe that newspapers, and any business for that matter, will only die if the people running them allow them to do so.
I’ve shared before, but it bears repeating. Newspapers are not dead, though it’s an industry like many others that has struggled in recent years and continues to evolve. With your help, we can keep print as being relevant for decades to come.
I will continue to lean on my past experiences to make things better in any aspect of my life, including this newspaper. It has to be done that way or the alternative ends up being nothing to write home about.
By the way, I’m always willing to speak at groups and organizations throughout the region. It provides me with a great opportunity to get to know the people that we serve on a regular basis.
I have and will always continue to be invested in the greater community of Steele County and going in hot pursuit of providing the best possible newspaper no matter what happens.