Everywhere you turn, there is bad economic news. People are being laid off, stores are closing, and homes are being fore-closed on. Some blame Wall Street, sub-prime mortgages, and greed, but I maintain one of the reasons we are having difficult times is that we don’t bowl together in leagues anymore.
In my Master degree studies at the Romney Institute at BYU, we discussed a case where a prominent economist discussed the value of bowling leagues. His premise was that when we bowl together we create relationships of trust. We spend time together, we learn about each other, and we create friendships. He predicted that because, we don’t bowl together in leagues any more our economy would eventually break down.
Relationships and trust are keys to economic prosperity. Without trust and honesty banks won’t lend money, people won’t invest in their new ideas, and transactions between people cease. When we care about people–we care about their business.
So, in this difficult economic time, my suggestion is to get to know your neighbors, the banker down the street, and the pharmacist at the local drug store. Spend time doing things with people and creating relationships. Join your local chamber, Rotary Club, or Neighbors in Action. Create relationships of trust and dust off your old bowling ball. Our economy depends on strikes, spares, and a few gutters.