Backyards, Doorsteps, Storefronts ... oh my!

Most of us have heard of the phrase, "put your best foot forward." Most of us have good intentions, but sometimes we either choose the wrong foot or we can't even locate our feet in the first place.

When an individual puts their best foot forward, they are actually leading with their strengths and shining once they have arrived. Similarly, this works for organizations, businesses, and communities. However, you must have the ability to identify your strengths and organize the first step, but if you really want to see success, you better be shining for that first step.

What we are really talking about here is first impressions. You can make a mistake on choosing your strength and flub the first step, but if you can shine brightly and confidently, your mistakes will be overshadowed.

I am reminded by city of Indianapolis as they prepared for the recent Super Bowl. They knew that this was one opportunity to show the city off to the world. The challenge was to cast a quiet shadow on the potential weather issues, whether snow, ice, rain, or storms. They wanted to ensure that people were not only lured to visit during the Super Bowl festivities, but hoped to advertise to those who might only see footage of Indianapolis in a commercial, watch the Super Bowl from home, or see any number of the broadcasts describing the events and celebrities visiting the NFL Host City and make a positive impression.

Likewise, each day we open our businesses, our homes, and our community, it's should be seen as an opportunity to make that first impression. Similarly, our first chance to impress is even that much more important when there is a special event or festival that might bring people to visit their childhood home, family, or just add your community as a stop on vacation. "Impress for Success" should be our goal.

If you are a business owner, community leader, or organizational president, "have you identified your road?" "Remember your first step?" "Do you still shine?" I challenge each business, homeowner, local organization, property owner, and even each renter throughout our fine county to take pride in your community. Remember that you are the ones that can make the baby steps toward ensuring that those first impressions are stellar. Paint a post, wipe a window, update a sign ...

When a local business is successful, its community is often successful, and local residents often reap the benefits of that success in form of community pride, added improvement, and an improved quality of life. Likewise, when a community is successful, its local businesses are often successful, and again local residents reap the benefits. So, the real question then becomes, "what is your own personal road to success?" "What will be your contribution to ensure your community has its best foot forward?"

Notice that piece of trash, pick it up! Have a cluttered front porch? Ask yourself, is that really making a positive first impression? How about those cars parked on the sidewalk or in your yard? Are these yard ornaments really contributing to a positive first impression. What about that lawn? Has it taken on the characteristics of a wild prairie circa 1810? Can you at least cut it down a little with a bit more regularity?

Remember, bicycles and toys are not accent pieces for your lawn either ... out of sight, out of mind. And don't forget about that sidewalk, that curb, and that gutter. Are you waiting for someone else to come by and clean up your street or the path to your business? Why even try to use the excuse, "I pay taxes for that." Responsibilities like these are a community one, individually executed, on a regular basis, not because you are required to, but because you should as a contribution to your community.

In the coming year, as we begin to look toward warmer weather, try to find ways that you can contribute to a lasting and positive first impression of your community and in return, you contribute to legacy of the county taken home in the form of positive comments via "word of mouth" from our extended families, our tourists, and our visiting friends.

You cannot rely on anyone else, nor make excuses for others, nor can you expect someone else to follow the example of others if you, yourself are not setting the example for others to follow.

Cheers to a cleaner, shinier and more "impressive" year throughout Greene County.

David is president of the Greene County Tourism Advisory Board (GCTAB). If you are interested in the ongoing promotion of tourism in Greene County, want to be updated on future Greene County events, want to join the online discussion, or feel you have something to contribute to our efforts, please contact David at solutions.dab@gmail.com with your name, phone number, preferred email address, and a little about your interest and we will add you to our mailing list at Google Groups.