Starting a new project, especially a massive project that has implications far beyond what you are likely to experience in your little corner of the world, is frightening. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The minute you go to the cupboard and pour a little “unknown” into the mix, the result is bound to be a frothy, bubbly ring of anxiety building up around the edge of the bowl.
There is no, “If This/Then That!” There is only, “If This… Well, let’s see what happens!” And, for most of us, “let’s see what happens…” is a little too vague; a little too disconcerting for comfort.
“Let’s see what happens…” results in anxiety that stems from an anticipation of the unknown: our subconscious working overtime to create vivid images of horrible consequences both real and imagined.
What if no one likes what we’ve created? What if no one responds? What if it doesn’t work? What if our clients and friends hate it? What if they no longer like or respect us? What if they abandon us?
What if…?
What if… is cloaked in words like might, could, should and possible.
What if… equals anxiety. But, anxiety isn’t the same as fear. Fear is real. Fear is immediate. It’s tangible. You can taste it. You can reach out and touch it. Worse yet, it just might reach out and touch you.
Angst is anxiety mitigated by hope: hope defined as that part of our human awareness that allows us to continue regardless of the circumstance and despite what we are currently forced to endure.
As we get ready to pull the trigger and launch “First Choice… Buy American!” the most ambitious program we’ve ever implemented here at the shop and a program I hope will catch on across America, I’m experiencing all of the above: the full palette of human emotion. It’s caused my heart rate to increase and the muscles in my chest to contract: the Lizard Brain and the Resistance hard at work to prevent any real change in the status quo from occurring.
Nevertheless, I’m excited… excited and filled with unbridled enthusiasm.
I’m excited because I know “First Choice… Buy American!” can work. I’m enthusiastic because I believe it just might!
You see it’s up to us: shop owners and members of the repair community like me and motorists, clients and customers like you. And, all we have to do is ask for manufactured products made here in the States.
Sure, there are others involved: manufacturers and distributors. But, they are driven by demand. Creating that demand is up to us, a hundred thousand shop owners like me, and the millions of motorists out there just like you.
If you would like to know more about “First Choice…,” go to: http://www.mitchschneidersworld.com and click on “first choice” at the top of the page just below the star or go to videos and click on “Mitch First Choice Blog.”
If you’re one of our “Family of Families” and you’re still curious, call 805.581.2340 for more information or better yet just come by and ask us about “First Choice…” in person.
