Finding the real problem when All you see are Nails
You may have heard the saying that “If all you have is a hammer, all you see are nails” (or something like that).
A similar expression is the ‘fog of war’ where confusion can rein in a chaotic situation.
I’ve found that, on many occasions, these concepts can be very predictive of how we (me anyway) can react at times of stress or uncertainty.
Finding the real problem during times of distress
An example may go something like this…
You have a brand new van and you’re still learning how to work all its features. You’ve done the handover with the sales staff, you’ve read the manuals and stuck your nose in all the corners. (A personal experience).
You connect the hose to get water to the van and not use the tanks. You’ve turned the pump off in the van and all should be ready to go.
You go inside and turn the tap on – nothing!
Ahhhhhh!!!!!!! You quietly say.
It’s the van! Something’s broken in the van! It has to be the van – it’s new and something’s broken!
Finding the real problem may mean turning to others for advice
Then…., after seeking counsel in Facebook groups and sitting quietly in somber reflection and scrupulously (but gradually) extending your inspection to find the cause, you realise that you have a connection on the new feeder hose that stops water flow when disconnected.
It was this ‘bloody’ $5 connection that caused my (oops, your) problem all along.
You see, all you could see in the heat of the moment was the new van and not the new hose.
I’d be keen to hear from you with any of your ‘hammer’ experiences.
Keep safe and stay focused – to see the bigger picture.
