5 Things to Do When Pedaling Faster Doesn’t Work
We have a bizarre capacity to pedal faster when something isn’t working. We think if we try harder the problem will magically disappear.
Trying harder works for people who aren’t really trying.
More of the same produces more of the same.
When pedaling faster doesn’t work:
#1. Solve the right problem.
The things you think are problems are often symptoms. Falling short of a goal is a symptom, not the problem.
Stop obsessing over symptoms.
#2. Define problems in terms of behaviors.
Any problem you define in terms of behaviors can be solved. Two questions enable problem definition.
- What are people doing to cause this situation?
- What are people leaving undone to cause this situation?
#3. Notice recurring frustration.
Recurring problems are like walking in circles in the woods. You don’t stop walking in circles until you notice you’re walking in circles.
Frustration that you’ve been here before is your opportunity to change direction.
Frustration is the beginning of hope.
#4. Look for simple solution.
I had a snowmobile when I was a teenager. One day I hurried to finish my chores and ran to my snowmobile. But it wouldn’t start.
I checked the gas, turned the choke on and off, and pulled till I was sweaty and furious. I checked the sparkplug. It was firing. Things changed when I noticed the key was in the off position!
What’s the simplest thing you might try?
#5. Try something else.
An aspirin cured your headache but it won’t fix bad breath.
Over-relying on past solutions is Kaplan’s Law of the Instrument: “Give a boy a hammer and everything he meets has to be pounded.” QI
Two questions:
- How long have we been doing the same thing while expecting different results?
- What else might we try?
Which of the above suggestions speaks to you?
How might leaders deal with destructive patterns?
Defining problems in terms of behaviours speaks to me. Thanks Dan.
We refer to it as hammeritis: when your only tool is a hammer, all your problems look like nails. Which is why it is SO important for leaders to have more than one tool in their toolbox.
In keeping with the theme, I would add #6: Make substantial changes. Painting the bike red or adding racing stripes may make the bike look cool, but they don’t actually make it go any faster.
Dear Dan,
An interesting post that compels you to think differently to tackle unsolved problems with past experiences! I shall go with your 5th suggestion point.
Logical thinking after cross-checking on people behaviour can help to find a newer way to get the desired solution.
Boy, that’s a powerful post. I’ll be thinking about this one for the rest of the week! I always found that solving “recurring frustrations,” although often time-intensive and difficult, bore the biggest dividends for helping my teams make real progress on long-term objectives. Tripping over the same obstacles time and again can really take a toll on one’s determination.