Over the weekend I was looking online for a replacement hood and side panels for my 2000 Troybilt riding lawn mower. My wife had shared that it’s just not proper for me to be driving around the house for three hours with a lawnmower frame held together by bungee cords – so, either fix it or get rid of it (I am pretty sure she was talking about the lawn mower and not me).
Then there is “Old Red” – my 1996 red Ford Ranger bought new in 1996. Sure the ceiling has dry rotted and the bumper could be replaced, but it runs well and the outside looks pretty decent except for the white paint splatter on the right side.
As I am told that I should get a new truck and new lawnmower, my thought is: if it’s working (kind of) why should I change?
Well, if I were to be honest, I am ok driving “Old Red” around Wise but driving it to Kingsport or Abingdon would give me pause. As for the old Troybilt, it is so noisy that I have a hard time hearing my iPod (yes, I said iPod) during the three hours I spend mowing.
Giving up on things and change is not easy.
This past Friday, I was in Raleigh meeting with the Comptroller of the Currency. All you should know is that for a National Bank (like PVB), the Comptroller is at the very top of our regulators. During the conversation, the Comptroller talked about the increasing amount of check fraud and asked me what he could do to help. I told him to tell folks not to write checks! Checks are riskier than electronic transactions (since checks can’t generate text or email alerts).
Giving up on old things can be hard – “Old Red”, my Troybilt, writing checks, etc. I understand how hard it can be to move on. Yet, I also understand the limitations and risks that come along with hanging on to old things and old ways.
Have a great week.
– Leton
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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.
