Pay more attention to source of problems

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus

and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops, a few people got on, a few got off and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

The driver was five feet three, thin and basically meek... Naturally, he did not argue with Big John, but he was not happy about it.

The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, said "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down. And the next day and the one after that and so forth.

This irritated the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of his size. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building program, Karate, Judo and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; So on the next Monday, when Big John got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" the driver stood up, glared back and screamed, "And why not?"

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a Bus pass."

Moral of the story: First be sure and pay more attention to source of problems before working hard to solve one.

Difference between Focusing on Problems and Focusing on Solutions

Case 1: When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (Ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C. And what did the Russians do? They used a pencil.

Case 2: One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.

Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.

But when a file employee in India in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.

Moral of the story: Always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems. Always focus on solutions and not on problems. So at the end of the day, the thing that really matters is how one look into the problem, mere perceptions can solve the toughest of problems.

A Million Frogs: Problems always seem bigger in the dark

A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs. The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, "There is a pond near my house that is full of frogs - millions of them. They all croak all night long and they are about to make me crazy!" So the restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant, five hundred at a time for the next several weeks. The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant looking rather sheepish, with two scrawny little frogs. The restaurant owner said, "Well, where are all the frogs?" The farmer said, "I was mistaken. There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!

Moral of the story: Next time you hear somebody criticizing or making fun of you, remember, it's probably just a couple of noisy frogs. Also remember that problems always seem bigger in the dark. Have you ever laid in your bed at night worrying about things which seem almost overwhelming like a million frogs croaking? Chances are pretty good that when the morning comes and you take a closer look, you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

Know all the facts before you talk

One old man was sitting with his 25 years old son in the train. Train is about to leave the station. All passengers are settling down their seat. As train started young man was filled with lot of joy and curiosity. He was sitting on the window side. He went out one hand and feeling the passing air. He shouted, "Papa see all trees are going behind". Old man smile and admired son feelings. Beside the young man one couple was sitting and listening all the conversion between father and son. They were little awkward the attitude of 25 years old man behaving like a small child.

Suddenly young man again shouted, "Papa see the pond and animals. Clouds are moving with train". Couple was watching the young man in embarrassingly. Now its start raining and some of water drops touches the young man's hand. He filled with joy and he closed the eyes. He shouted again, "Papa it's raining, water is touching me, see papa". Couple could not help themselves and ask to the old man. Why don't you visit the Doctor and get the treatment for your son.

Old man said, "Yes, we were coming from hospital only. Today only my son got his eyesight for the first time in his life".

Moral of the story: "Don't draw conclusions until you know all the facts".

It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciplehood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills so he decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took three days and painted beautiful scenery.

Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to display it on a busy street-square of his small town. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with marks everywhere. Such was the state that colors were not visible, only things one could see were crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I am useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I am not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying."

Master smiled and suggested, "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting."

Young disciple couldn't believe it and said, "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough, don't give false hopes master."

"Do as I say without questioning it. It will work." Master interrupted him.

"Just paint exactly similar painting once again for me and give it to me. Will you do that for your master?" Master instructed.

Young artist reluctantly agreed and three days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.

"Come with me." master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."

Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. But master was not satisfied as yet and he told his disciple, "May be one day was too little a time for people to come up with ideas and take time out of their busy schedules to correct it so let us keep it here for one more day. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can expect some corrections coming in."

Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month but no correction came in!

Moral of the Story: It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve.