“You’re either part of the solution
or you’re part of the problem.”
– Eldridge Cleaver
A Sage … in Mechanic’s Clothes
Many of my life’s lessons have come from obscure sources, such as my incredible self-acceptance lesson from a pants salesman. But that’s for a different post. This one’s about a sage in mechanic’s clothes who taught me how to solve life’s problems … simply and methodically…
Are you part of the solution, or part of the problem?
When I was 16, I worked for the summer as a laborer at an automobile dealership. Each day I ate lunch with the car mechanics. I always sat next to a certain wise old mechanic with a wisdom that drew me to him, like steel to a magnet. One day, while eating a peanut butter sandwich, he taught me how he approached problems.
He said, “Most people make things more difficult than they are. Here’s how I approach a car that’s not working. First, I see if there’s gas in the gas tank. If there is, I see if the battery cables are on and tight. If they are, I see if the battery is working. These three simple steps help me solve 30% of problems. Always solve problems at the simplest level possible.”
His philosophy was simple yet profoundly sophisticated, like the Dalai Lama’s. I have followed his sage advice for 39 years – solving problems by progressing from the simplest to the most complex possible solution. My work sometimes requires an intricate solution, but like the sage mechanic, I solve a great percentage of challenges with a simple solution. … which reminds me of my favorite saying from the ’60s:
“You’re either part of the solution
or you’re part of the problem.”
– Eldridge Cleaver
Take some sage advice and see how many problems you can solve at the simplest level possible.
Increase your confidence, increase your mindfulness – Be the solution!
