Who Is Your Future—Another Year, Another Strategy
I’m penning this as I look out the window at Logan International Airport in Boston and take in the efforts to keep the runways clear enough for takeoffs and landings—I don’t know how the pilots feel, but I think they’re doing a pretty good job. This morning’s activities started with just enough snow on my car and in the driveway to require a little clearing of my own. Fortunately, the bone-chilling wind was somewhat more modest at 3:30 A.M., but I was thinking a lot about how much I wouldn’t mind missing out on having to dig out (and how much I don’t miss having operational responsibility for snow removal). But, when there is work to be done and that work is a ways away, then persisting to get to the airport is the only course of action.
As it should happen, someone left a homemade bookmark in a volume I obtained from the library and it contains this quote from Calvin Coolidge:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On!” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
I don’t know that I was particularly familiar with this quote, but it really encapsulates the importance of “putting one foot in front of the other” or (I daresay) making lemonade when life gives you lemons. My hope as we continue our journey through 2025 is that we continue to effectively “press on!” for safety in all we do. That’s my strategy for 2025—how ‘bout you?
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant with The Chartis Group. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is the author of HCPro's Hospital Safety Director's Handbook and is an advisory board member for Accreditation and Quality Compliance Center. Contact Steve at stevemacsafetyspace@gmail.com.