Reality Check... Is this for real?
Are things as bad as they sound?
How come folks who earn a zillion times more than me still want me to help them out?
Do we really know what is going on?
This last question brings to mind a thought from the internationally known motivational speaker and teacher, Kevin Hogan, who attended school in Cannon Falls a few years ago. In his recent newsletter (check http://www.kevinhogan.com) he asks readers to make a reality check.
Find out if what you think is true, really is. He gives a quiz to help challenge your mind.
What are the 10 most dangerous occupations in the U.S.? Just think of two.
My guesses were: 1) farmers and 2) police.
What did you guess?
In reality, a fisherman has the most dangerous job. And number 5 is garbage collectors!
Here is the list: Deaths per 100,000 workers
1 Fishers/fishing workers 118.4
2 Logging Workers 92.9
3 Aircraft Pilots/Flight Engineers 66.9
4 Structural Iron and Steel Workers 55.6
5 Refuse/recycling collectors 43.8
6 Farmers/Ranchers 41.1
7 Power Line Installers, Repairers 32.7
8 Truck Drivers 29.1
9 Agricultural Workers 23.2
10 Construction Laborers 22.7
Kevin added, your reality is shaped by the people you talk to and what the news media presents.
So, could there be another “reality” to the outlook on the economy than what we’ve been reading?
This point was brought to mind in Sunday’s St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Bill Blazar, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Public Affairs of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. It’s based on interviews with 700 business owners and/or managers in the state. He verified his position in an e-mail.
Bill explained that the Minnesota economy "...will grow but at a much slower pace..." But what was encouraging to me were the words: “…it will grow”!
Another point was that in Minnesota, "..company sales are up but gains are not as healthy..."
Again, he says: “…sales are up”! And apparently there are gains too.
Bill adds: "Smaller and midsize businesses with good balance sheets report no significant changes in their access to capital…. Some companies... are reporting excellent years."
On the other hand, Bill mentions that one of the problems in the state’s economy is the problem of a workforce shortage. That needs solving. But it could be good news for some of us interested in finding jobs.
Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce President, Pat Anderson reminds: “Reinvesting in your community has always been true but is a good reminder at this time."
