Have You Figured It Out Yet?

The comments made today for some will not make sense, others will be confused while still others will understand. So here goes...

  1. "When you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount." -Dakota tribal saying
  2. "What do you do when you find yourself in a hole?" " The first thing you do is stop digging."
  3. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

What is the common theme among the 3 statements? Not sure what your answer is, but for me when something I am trying to do does not work, I simply try harder. What a knucklehead! Why? Because I'm trying to control my life, my company, my family, a project, or anything I perceive is not going like I want it to. So what do I do? Do more of what is not working.

When we have problems in situations with relationships, leadership, projects, Congress, government, expectations, etc. we don't start at the very beginning. We're already off looking for an answer when we haven't even come up with the right question(s). The result is digging a hole, riding a dead horse, or going crazy! 

So what's the solution? For years we have been collecting answers that leave us on a treadmill to repeat the same problem again and again. The solution is starting with the right questions.  Whatever the problem or difficulty is, try generating as many questions as you can at first. Chances are there is more than just one question that needs to be asked to keep you from digging holes, riding dead horses or going insane.

Understand?

rb

3 comments (Add your own)

1. Bob Mize wrote:
hey Dr. Ron...this is not a new thot, as you know, but you have nailed it in a concise and powerful way...I'm fwd this one to BUNCHES, including my co-workers...I always enjoy your articles, but don't know that I've told you...so, THANKS! you are a breath of fresh air...may God continue to use and bless you! (Danny's brother)

Thu, August 12, 2010 @ 11:02 AM

2. Donna Anderson wrote:
Very concise. I always get something from your writing. Are sure you are a blood relation to the Anderson's?

Thu, August 12, 2010 @ 1:42 PM

3. Kelly North wrote:
I call this “SOS different day”; it’s a lot like the saying “if you don’t learn from history you are doomed to repeat it”. I have whipped a lot of dead horses to death and dug holes past China and don’t tell anyone how really insane I am, they’ll make me retire. You have opened my eyes to the fact I have not been asking the right questions, because without the right questions, your answers are always wrong.

Fri, August 13, 2010 @ 10:36 AM

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