I’m not that guy
You know that guy or gal. They breeze effortlessly through their projects. All they need is always within their reach. They are always finished on time and often early. They are able to forsee unforseen problems. It’s as though they are not affected by physics or Murphy’s Law. And on and on.
Then there are people like me or maybe you. Doorways are always 1″ smaller than whatever I plan to transport through them. I search endlessly for the same supplies I’ve been pushing around for months. When I need ten #8 x 2″ screws, there are nine in my tool cabinet. And on and on.
Do I spend any time trying to become the first guy? Not really. I’ve learned obsessive planning and a burning need for order drain too much of my energy.
I use the “ready, fire, aim” method to guide my efforts. Here’s an example of how it works. I have two keys but only one will open the door lock. As I try one key, I have a 50/50 chance it’s the right one and a 100% chance the second one will open the lock.
Why do I prefer this approach? It’s born from action and not just thinking. I learn as I go and adjust my efforts until I’m successful.
When Thomas Edison was developing the electric light bulb, his failing attempts numbered over a thousand. When he was asked about these crushing failures, he’d respond, “We now know a thousand ways not to build a light bulb.”
Edison plowed ahead, and found the missing element.
I don’t think Edison would have been as successful if he had to have all the ducks in a row before he acted.
You may want to try ”ready, fire, aim” not because I use it, but because of why I use it. It worked for the world’s greatest inventor: Thomas Edison.
Edison knew a thousand ways not to build a light bulb. Presumably, each attempt to build one was done differently so as not to repeat known failures. However, you continue to carry both keys, knowing that on any given attempt to open the door you only have a 50/50 chance of getting it right the first time. Removing the known failure key would assure 100% success each time.
Pat - June 30th, 2010 at 2:57 pm