Is The Economy Getting Worse?

I get this question almost daily.  In fact, one of my board members asked me this question earlier this week. I think the answer is YES.  What do you think?

Today, one of my long term customers came to see me. He told me about his business and told me things were very difficult.  Just a few years ago they were doing very well.  Now, things are different.  Times are tough and not getting better.  It was hard for him to tell me and It was hard for me to hear it. I care about him and his family.  It was hard to see him hurting, hard to see him scared. He was hoping I could help him.  I sure want too and I hope we can figure something out for him.

One thing I did do for him was pray for him.  I believe God can change his situation and I pray God will bless him.

Here is one principal that I believe strongly.

"It takes twice as long for the country to recover from a financial recession than it took to get there." -Ross A. Hill

So, what does that mean for you and me?  We have now been in this financial recession for over 2 years. Just recently the U.S. Government announced that the recession is officially over.  Do you believe that?  So, if they are right, sometime in the past few months we turned the corner and are crawling out.  There is a long, long way to go before things return to normal.  Be careful, conserve your cash, pay your debt down, cut your expenses, don't take on new debt. Be conservative.

Ross

Just Because a Bunch of People Say It Is So, Doesn't Make it So!

I have been reading Numbers the past few days.  One of the things that just jumps off of the pages to me is leadership is not a popularity contest.  Just because an overwhelming number of people get together and complain about a leader or about the direction he is leading, does not mean the leader should change course. A leader should not just roll over and change because a group of people complain.  In other words, just because the leader is out number and people are against him/her does not mean the leader should change course.  Nor does it mean it is time for a new leader.

Leaders lead.  Sometimes your position is not a popular one.  Sometimes you find yourself in opposition to the people you lead.
 
In the Book of Numbers it says that Moses prayed and asked God to prove to everyone who God had appointed as the leader. Moses was sure God had appointed him as the leader and so he did not need to argue about it.  He decided to just pray about it and ask God to reveal it to the people.  And God did! If you are having trouble leading maybe you should follow the example of Moses.

Being a leader is difficult. You have to have backbone. You have to believe in yourself and believe in what you are doing. I rely on God to help me lead. I don't always get it right.  But, It is amazing to watch how He clears the path so I can keep leading.

"Leaders need to lead.  Followers need to follow.  When you can not follow the leader you need to find a leader you can follow". -Ross Hill

Pretty simple and true.

Ross

In the Beginning, Do You Believe You Can?

"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than a anything else, will affect it's successful outcome".  -William James

I believe William James statement is accurate.

"When you know you can at the beginning, you will in the end." -Ross Hill

You are way more likely to win when you first believe in yourself and believe in what you are doing. You have to believe it at the beginning for it is the only way you will overcome the discouragement of the defeat(s) that come along the journey to success.  Having a positive attitude at the beginning gives you the stamina to keep going when you want to quit.

Life has taught me that how we view challenges is the one attitude that separate the successful from the unsuccessful. It is most easily seen when we look back at great athletes and great teams. When I was young UCLA had the greatest college basketball program in the nation. They believed they could win. It was true of Roger Stauback the famous quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.  It was true of Tiger Woods when he ruled the PGA. They believed they were going to win long before they competed on the field.

This attitude, this belief, is the magic ingredient that separates the winners from the pack.

If you want success, you have to believe in yourself and your task before you get started.

Ross

Sweet Sunday

Sunday started with getting to sleep in a bit.
My weekly phone conversation with my mom was a bright spot.
A fantastic sermon at church about the boy with 5 barley loafs of bread and two fish and how Jesus used it to feed thousands.
Then lunch with some of my beautiful grand kids.
A little work.
The day ended with an incredible concert by Sandi Patty and some of her friends. I especially liked the song Sweet Exchange. The concert was at Crossings Church.
I am a blessed man.
Thank You Lord,

Ross

***SPECIAL EDITION***Do You Think This Could Work?***SPECIAL EDITION***

Is There Anyway This Could Work?

Does this make sense to you?

Could you operate a business if you had to manage it within all of this stuff to the right?

Does this look like anything has been improved in banking or does it look like a formula for more problems?

This is our governments idea of regulatory reform for the banking industry.  It looks like total confusion to me.

Can you believe this stuff?

Ross

Washington Reflections-One Last Thing

Dr. Tom Coburn For President!

The guy is incredible.  He tells it like it is.

He is smart!  Articulate!  Doesn't pull any punches!  He doesn't care if you don't agree.

As a United States Senator he has exposed billions of dollars of waste in the Federal Government.

He has also encouraged the Federal Government to stop wasting billions of dollars a year of our money.

He has run his own business and knows what it takes to run one and how to make a profit.

He is for small government and he is for freedom for Americans.

He is for YOU.  He is for AMERICA!

Dr. Tom Coburn President of the United States of America.

That has a great ring.

Ross

Washington Reflections

Here are some of my reflections on D. C.

Fantastic weather, temps in the 70's and no humidity.

The White House is as beautiful as ever, beautiful grounds, flowers and fountains.

The White House Still stands for freedom.  I walked completely around the White House and in spite of all of our political upheavals and short comings there was no other place in D. C. where more foreign tourist gather. They all want a picture of themselves standing in front of the White House. It made me feel great. People around the world still admire us.

The Federal buildings are huge, beautiful and expensive.

Panhandlers abound every place and very close to the White House.

Our Oklahoma Congressional Delegation continues to be depressed about what has happened over the past two years but they believe the end is insight.  They believe we are going to be able to restore American by limiting government after the upcoming elections.

The security around the White House and the president was overwhelming. I think it is sad.

I heard more sirens the last three days than I have heard in the past 3 years combined in OKC.

I think D. C. has more cops than the entire State of Oklahoma.

The Federal Government is exploding, as a result there is no recession in D. C.

Many, if not all of the bank regulating agencies we met with are out of touch with the problems the new regulations have created.  Most regulators have no idea that the cost of banking, the cost of borrowing money is about to go sky high for the consumers and small businessmen.

The bureaucrats want more government.  Why?  Job security, more turf, higher pay.  All SELF serving, not serving the people.

I did not hear ONE solitary conversation on the street, in elevators, in restaurants that was in support of the actions of congress and the president over the past two years.  I heard tons of complaints.  I mean tons.

Ben's Chili Dogs are world famous.  They are great!

National Community Church Rocks.

Mark Batterson is absolutely the real deal.

Everyone needs to attend a Robbie Seay Band concert! They are awesome.

The Oklahoma Banker Association is an organization that all Oklahoman's can be proud of.

Ross