In pondering what lessons I’ve learned in 2013, it became clear to me –once again– that solutions to complex problems are frequently simple. Although I have discovered this many times in my life and career, it seems I rarely remember this fact until pain presides. And yet consider: many truths seem counter intuitive:
• The best time to make investments is when they are going down, not up
• The best teacher is failure
• To gain control of a car skidding on ice, steer into the direction of the skid
With this in mind, there are two lessons (learned again) that will drive most of the changes I will make for 2014:
1. Complex problems are most often solved with simple actions
2. The biggest things in my life are the smallest things
To amplify the first point, let’s say we have a client or an employee who is dragging the business down, adding a frustrating level of complexity. These scenarios may sound familiar to you:
“That client is our largest – so even if we are not making money on them, they cover a lot of overhead.”
“We can’t just get rid of that employee. He’s been with us for 7 years.”
And so we spend months, even years trying to fix the broken client or employee. Price changes, new job assignments and heart-to-heart discussions are among the many tactics I’ve used.
And always the solution to the complex problems these people created was simple – cut ties to that client or person lovingly but firmly.
And the second lesson I’m learning (again) is that the small things in life are usually the big things.
During the holidays I was reminded that my favorite gifts were simply my children’s presence. All three of my kids are in the throes of developing or creating their own businesses. What I enjoy most are the conversations we share about those businesses and their lives.
As for me, I’ve cut my schedule deeply for 2014 with big plans to become a real writer. This is a new focus for me. I must remember that the real joy of writing comes in that brief moment when I’m confident I’ve found the right words for my thoughts.
Small, simple things are things are very difficult to stay focused on because American intuition says “bigger is better” and “complexity=intelligence.” But like turning into the skid, you sometimes have to fight your first instinct. Remember: small and simple creates much happier outcomes.
Peace,
Tim McCarthy
