Budget cuts drive change-- are you ready for the challenge? Published March 18, 2011 By Lt. Col. Todd Osgood 75th Medical Support Squadron administrator HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- At the present time, nearly 40 cents of every dollar spent by the federal government is borrowed. Similar to your personal budget, perpetual deficit spending is unsustainable. With a burgeoning budget deficit, lawmakers are looking to apply deep spending cuts across the Department of Defense, including Hill Air Force Base. Team Hill will not be funded adequately to continue business as usual and must change to become more business savvy and efficient. King Whitney Jr. once said, "Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better." With the right attitude, education, and innovation, Team Hill will have what it takes help our nation's leaders rein in spending by fundamentally changing the way we do business for the better. One question I love to ask those who are reluctant to tackle a daunting challenge is, "If someone offered you a million dollars to solve a problem, could you do it?" Much to my amazement, the answer is usually, "Yes" or "Of course." The thought of gaining a million dollars for solving a tough problem transforms one from having a negative or reluctant attitude to a positive attitude in a heartbeat. While Team Hill doesn't have a million dollars to reward one for making processes more efficient, the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness (IDEA) program is alive and well and will generously reward those with money saving ideas. Fortunately, there are many other ways to motivate people other than money. A positive attitude is infectious -- in a good way. So, the first step in overcoming budget cuts is to have a positive attitude about overcoming the budget challenges that lie ahead for Team Hill and to motivate those around you to do the same. A positive attitude in and of itself is not enough. William Pollard once said: "Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." Team Hill has been extremely successful at producing world-class products and services for its customers. While a great attitude is the fuel, education and innovation is the vehicle for creating new efficiencies and technology. Do you have your Community College of the Air Force degree, bachelor's degree, or is there a continuing education course that you need to complete? Technology is continuing to evolve at an exponential rate. Are your professional skills keeping pace? If you already have a degree or certification and you're getting comfortable with the status quo, continue to stretch yourself and grow by taking new courses or continuing to self-educate enabling you to become better prepared to help implement innovative changes to business practices and procedures. In conclusion, Team Hill needs you to be fueled by a positive attitude, equipped with the right education, so you can contribute innovative ideas that will help change the way we do business. How about you? Do you have the attitude, education and innovative spirit to help Team Hill overcome the budget challenges that lie ahead?