While you have a few days off next week, maybe you’ll spend a few hours decompressing and doing a jigsaw puzzle. Here at the old homestead, the Mrs. loves these things and spends hours putting unimaginable numbers of pieces into place. As she was trying to finish up her latest 1,500 piece project, she stood up and said something that was an excellent business point as well as a key to getting every piece into the place where it belongs.
Image by Beedle Um Bum
The more I thought about it, the more I realized the entire activity had some things for those of us with business on the brain and that’s how we’ll start the week.
She was having trouble getting the last few dozen pieces located and she stood up and remarked that it’s often easier to figure things out when you change the view and take a broader perspective. Standing up changes the view of things, and a different perspective can be helpful, and not just as we discuss puzzles. But here are a couple of other things that came to me as I contemplated the puzzles of business in the context of the kind that come in boxes.
First, you need a clear picture of what you’re trying to do. Ever tried to do one of these things without looking at the box? Possible, but it takes a lot longer. Have a clear picture of what you’re trying to accomplish!
Next, it’s really hard to do a puzzle in too small a space and with crappy lighting. Creating the right environment as you conduct business makes success way more likely.
The Mrs. is very methodical as she approaches these puzzles – she sorts the pieces and puts them together in accordance with a plan of attack she formulates. Having a plan is critical.
Every once in a while, I’ll look over her shoulder and suggest a landing spot for a piece. Rather than glare at me for interjecting, she welcomes the tiny bit of help. That’s something more of us need to do as we work on our business puzzles.
Those are some of the business points that popped into my mind. Any more pop into yours?
Consult Keith 