Don't Break the Rules - Change Them!

Today (6/6/22) is the 36th (which is 6x6) anniversary of when I began my professional career. So I am recycling an article that I published, you guessed it, 6 years ago.

If you look back at the calendar from 1986 (i.e. 36 years ago), you will see that 6/6/1986 was a Friday. Who starts a new job on a Friday? I was hired as an entry-level accountant along with three others, all of us being fresh graduates, to staff a newly created department. We were all hired at the same time, and were given a start date of Monday the 9th. As I was immediately available, I asked if I could start on the 6th instead. After a few odd looks from the HR manager, he said it would be OK. I figured if I could get an early start, I would get the pick of the offices, bragging rights of seniority, and a little more one-on-one time with the manager and other staff, as opposed to being just one of the four newbies (and not to mention, an extra day's pay).

Was I thinking too strategically for Day 1 of my career? Perhaps. But it was fun too see the looks on the faces of the other three when they showed up on Monday morning, and I was already well settled in.

As I think back on some of the more memorable lessons I learned over the years, I am reminded of a few well-known adages. Not because the adages are particularly accurate, but because they could use a bit of tweaking. So, in honor of 6/6, here are my 6 new rules?for you.

Original:?"You get what you pay for."

Jeff's?rule:?"You?don't?get what you?don't?pay for."

I think my version more clearly states the intent of the original saying. If you "get what you pay for", then a top-dollar price should get you a top-dollar product or service. That's not always the case. But we can rest assured that if we?don't?pay for something, we won't get it. It reminds me of another saying, "Cheap, fast, good: you only ever get two out of three". If it's cheap and fast, it won't be good. If it's good and fast, it won't be cheap. If it's good and cheap, it won't be fast.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Original:?"Don't ask, don't tell."

Jeff's?rule:?"Don't ask, don't get."

Never assume that your boss knows your expectations or aspirations. Be explicit. Believe it or not, lots of folks aren't interested in learning new things or moving up in the company. That's OK, and actually good for some functions in some companies. Unfortunately, if you don't let your boss know that you're not one of those people, he will assume that you are.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Original:?"Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true."

Jeff's?rule:?"Don't waste your time wishing, because wishes don't come true."

If you want something to happen, you have to make it happen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Original:?"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Jeff's?rule:?"If it ain't broke, break it (or try to)."

I have found that a good way to tell how well something is working is to try to break it. Now, I'm not talking about expensive machinery, but rather processes, systems, or even spreadsheets. Introduce exceptions into the process in a controlled test to see what happens. Don't take for granted that a system is working fine only because you've never noticed any anomalies.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Original:?"Kill two birds with one stone."

Jeff's?rule:?"Kill two birds with one stone. Retrieve stone. Repeat."

When you happen to stumble across an effective solution to a problem, cherish it, preserve it, and memorialize it. Figure out why it worked so well, and don't let that knowledge get away.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Original:?"Start with the end in mind."

Jeff's?rule:?"Start with?an?end in mind."

Last but not least, one of my favorites. When tasked with something new, I always start by visualizing what the final outcome should?look like. While designing the final product, many of the process steps become obvious. That's why the original form of this adage is so useful. But the majority of the time, the final result is a much improved version of the initial conception, or sometimes even totally different. Be flexible and willing to make adjustments along the way, including starting over. Don't put a lot of effort into avoiding modifications, as doing so would just mean that you spent excess energy developing a sub-par product.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Do any of these resonate with you?