Working Out the Kinks

We all have times when something starts to hurt or fail to work.  Maybe the coffee pot goes on the fritz and does not put out enough coffee at a warm enough temperature.  It could be the car that is making a rattling sound every time you turn a corner. Possibly it is the back and abs that hurt after a fitful night’s unrest in bed. Whatever it is, you have two choices: accept it as the way things are or get curious and start asking questions until you understand enough to do something about it.

I lead with acceptance because that is where most people start.  Annoyance and acceptance.  Everything is just getting older.  Give it more time to warm up.  You just have to accept you are not a spring chicken.  It starts to sound like you are just giving up. 

After you work your way through the thorns and excuses, many will turn to option two and start to ask questions.  How long have we had this machine? Exactly what is making that sound, and will it fall off in traffic?  Why am I hurting, and can it be cured?  Now you are looking at fixes rather than mere acceptance.

I would recommend that we should all (yes, I am as guilty as the next person) swap the two choices. Get inquisitive first and hold off on acceptance as a very last resort.  We are going to end up curious anyway, and finding things out sooner than later can save money and frustration.  If a fix is possible, getting it done early-on will keep the problems from deteriorating further and costing more.  If the item has failed, go find a sale or get something that really makes you happy.

When these types of problems come along, and they usually will at some point, you can be complacent and miserable, or you can reach out and take action.  The latter will generally make you feel better.

Thank you for being with me today.  I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. View all posts by Mike Balof