Many businesses made critical decisions during the pandemic. Certain decisions were calculated risks to ensure sustainability. Many decisions were done in panic and today those companies regret making certain decisions because they closed and lost valuable talent.
We will always have crisis and chaos around us. Gasoline will always cost more than it should per gallon. A loaf of bread, a carton of eggs, and a gallon of milk will always cost more than ten dollars. Retail stores will always mark up to mark down and call it a sale. Our government will never put together a complete plan to take care of its citizens. In either case, we cannot panic. We must remain calm and stay the course.
Now that artificial intelligence is making its mark in our economy, employees wonder if their jobs will be replaced by robots. Job security is at the top of union agendas. However, some jobs will be replaced as we move deeper into the age of the Jetson's. Such changes do not mean we panic. They mean we look at what we contribute to the world and find another way to give it.
I remember graduating from high school and wondering how I would get to college. My parents could not afford it, but I knew that was my path. None of the scholarships I applied for came through. None of the universities that accepted me offered any scholarship assistance outside of Pell Grants. Tuition was not as expensive as it is today, but I did not have what I needed. I remember speaking with my career counselor, Joyce Thomas, who told me not to worry. There are plenty of people who will gladly pay for my education.
One day, a representative from Faygo Beverages came to the school offering a scholarship to students who would win an impromptu writing contest. They supported three high schools including me, Southeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan. One student from each school would win a full scholarship. My career counselor gathered me and other seniors on the day of the essay contest and we were instructed to write on anything we felt passioned about. The title of my essay was, "Why I Am Tired of Being a High School Senior." I was the first one finished and did not think I had a chance.
On Senior Awards Assembly Day, we gathered in the school auditorium and the career counselor announced all the seniors who received scholarships and where they would attend college after graduation. After a few names she said, "Will Kevin Binion please stand up." I did, not knowing what was about to happen. She then said, "Kevin Binion has won a four year scholarship to the college of his choice from Faygo Beverages." I won the essay contest and was one of only three students in the city to get that scholarship. Faygo paid for my education and offered me a job in their marketing department. I later wrote the advertising copy for their 100th company anniversary.
Panic is the easiest way to miss opportunities. Panic makes us travel down wrong roads and journey into uncertain directions. Panic prevents us from seeing and hearing clearly. Ultimately, panic makes us quit when we should be still and patient. Throughout my life I have had many tests, but in each, I did not move in fear, doubt, or insecurity. I prayed, waited, stayed the course and let life work the way it was designed for me. My steps are ordered and things will always work out exactly as they should.
Don't worry about things outside of your control. Be patient. Stand still. Don't panic. You will be alright.
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