across the Board

Tough

Ah, a new year! I’m not sure why I get excited about the new year as if it somehow resets everything and gives a “fresh start” because when you really think about it, it’s only 24 hours removed from whatever our life was. Regardless, I am always a bit more optimistic and driven as we enter this new chapter.

Part of this exercise is that I look back. On my life, my upbringing, the many interesting chapters of my adulthood and my time as an employer, husband and father. A sort of mental scoreboard of “wins” and “losses” with the lessons learned and hopefully, wisdom gained. As I’ve started going through this exercise, one word keeps popping up in my mind: tough.

It’s not to say that my life isn’t far more blessed than I ever imagined or deserve. But, it’s been tough. All of my youth was tough times. The first half of my adult life was around tough people and tough challenges. In this chapter, the tough times look and feel different, but are no less of a test. I remember when I was young, there was an older man who every time he saw that look come over me that he interpreted as “quit,” he would yell out, “Get tough, Adams.” It’s funny that just the other day when my 5-yearold son fell and looked like he was going to cry, I picked him up, brushed him off, looked into his eyes, and asked him only one question: “Are you tough?” The tears left his eyes, a look of determination came over him, and his reply was, “Yes, Daddy.”

While the economy is roaring and our markets are healthy, times are no less tough. Costs are skyrocketing, opportunities are always knocking presenting us with new risk/rewards, and competitors are always looking for new angles which now include the constant threat of poaching your most valuable team members. All of these variables are a constant swirl of somewhat contained chaos that my mind processes in the background of whatever else I am trying to do at the moment.

But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The old saying goes, “The tougher, the better.” But I like a friend’s perspective better. His belief is that without a “battle to fight” (figurative, or usually literal in his case), it is impossible for you to perform at your best or grow to your potential. It is that daily fight that brings out our best. Allows us to perform at a higher level. In a fight, we are sharper, quicker, smarter and when we survive, we look back smiling at being proud that we persevered and outlasted the others. I believe this, too. I don’t look forward to fighting, but

Patrick S. Adams

Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com looking back, there are very few things in my life that have come easy. From that, however, I have the gratitude and humility that comes from having earned all that I have. While I may joke about wanting to win the lottery, I should not be surprised that I never do given that I never buy a ticket!

With this new year comes some new challenges. Our kitchen is still torn up, my wife is dealing with some health challenges, and like everyone, we are experiencing staff turnover. Our economy is “roaring,” but it does not feel like it’s in a way that is confidence inspiring. The stock market and property values have everyone far wealthier than before, but I’m not sure that I’d retire just yet. The Fed has now mentioned “multiple” rate hikes in the coming year and the CDC seems to contradict itself daily with saying our “vaccines” are good for new variants, or we need the “booster,” or we might be in for big trouble.

Extreme challenges? I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I’ve shared in prior columns, I see no prize or reward in the “easy path.” While at this age, the daily battle is a bit more tiring, I am proud that I work in an industry full of people who also wake every day before the sun and welcome whatever the day has in store.

Happy New Year, everyone! 2022 begins our 100-year anniversary of service to this great industry full of people and businesses who inspire and humble me every day. You are my role models and my inspiration that in spite of the news reports, there is still a LOT that is right about this country and the people who live here. Stand by for a year FULL of exciting new things that we will be bringing you in hopes of serving you better now—and for the next 100 years!