Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Bulding a better mouse trap

It is easy to try and buld a better system. Contrary to popular belief, it does not take a lot of intelligence to look at a process, point out it's flaws and develop a "new system" that you believe will solve all the problems.

It is then VERY EASY, for someone to look at your system and point out it's flaws, to tell you why it won't work and develop an even better way.

Now, perhaps you are reading a story, someone's suggestions for improvment and you find youself agreeing with everything you are reading. Furthermore, perhaps it drives a passion in you, to share the information with others. To push for a better system, to send letters to your congressman, etc.

Or perhaps, you have come up with a better system youself. Perhaps you are tired of the ways things are currently working, and you are trying to find a better way.

Let me first say I commend you for your idea, whatever it is, I admire you for your passion. Any system, or process always has rooom for improvement, and hindsight is always 20/20 right?

But one word of caution, there is no 'perfect' system. No matter how many times you go over it in your head, no matter how much you've convinced yourself and others around you, that your system is far better then what exists currenly..take a minute and put yourself in the shoes of those that came before you. Rest assured, the existing system was put in place by some group of individuals that felt like you. They felt they came up with the best system possible, and if your system is approved, rest assured, it will be subject to the same scruntity in the future.

So I'm not suggesting don't try to buld a better mousetrap, I'm simply suggesting to consider that people worked hard to put the existing system in place, and yes, they probably made some mistakes, as we all do.

It may be impossible to come up with idea that everyone will agree with, but if you can design, implement and/or fix something that works better for the majority...now that takes intelligence !





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