I came up with this topic when I was knitting a pair of socks and I ran out of yarn. I had three choices of what to do: go buy more of the same colour, change to a different one, or cry and leave the sock unfinished. Or a bonus option, unravel the first one half way and finish both with the new colour. That would be waste of time but would make a nicer pair. So it all depends on what is your end game.
I had promised myself I wouldn’t buy more yarn before I use a substancial amount of what I already have in storage, which is enough for probably 50 more pairs. Giving up on a project at this point was not an option either, so I chose to finish the sock with a different colour. I could have gone with a pretty similar grey one, but I think the beige works better because it looks more like I meant it to be like that.
Prevention
There is measured you can take to avoid getting into situations that require problem solving skills, but you can’t predict everything life throws at you. You need to learn how to take it as it is and adapt to the situation.
I could have measured pretty accurately whether I have enough yarn or not, but I must have been lazy, or maybe I originally had an idea to make striped socks, I can’t remember. But I got myself into this situation myself. A lot of the times you can prepare for things in advance, so you won’t be lost if something happens. Charge the phone, have extra battery, save some money for car trouble or broken washing machine and bring an umbrella.
I have to admit, I have a tendency to over prepare, especially when travelling. I always bring a lot of clothing and shoes, just in case. Even when most of the time, I’m fine with a simple jeans, t-shirt, Converse and a leather jacket combo. I pack too much stuff and have to drag it around from point A to B to C, causing unnessery work.
Problem Solving
You can prep endlessly for possible scenarios and problems, but you can’t prepare yourself for everything, and you shouldn’t. If you try to prepare yourself from zombie apocalypse to economical collapse and to hurricanes, you will cause yourself extra stress, and in turn, cause more problems to yourself.
Often, you need to solve the problem on the spot. You always have choices and different routes to take. Staying still is an option too, for example, if you happen to meet a bear in the woods. Some say that is when you should play dead, but I don’t think I would do that. For my knowledge, it’s better to scream and yell to scare the bear away, it’s more afraid of you than you are of it. But don’t take my word for it.
I don’t know if you can train your problem solving skills, or is it something that comes naturally for some, and not so much for others? I pride myself in being pretty good at thinking of a fast solution on the spot and I’m not afraid to pick an option and stick with it. Though the problems I encounter are usually small scale ones, not trying to cure cancer over here.
I have encountered a lot of people who seem to have no problem solving skills what so ever. I find it highly frustrating working with such people.
Pick one
Staying still and waiting for someone to come and rescue you is the worst thing. Sure there are exceptions to the rule, but in general, you need to do something. You are not a Disney Princess. Think of all the possibilities, evaluate them, make a decision and follow through. I’d rather try my best to get out of a bad situation than wait and see if the goes from bad to worse.
Well, this escalated quickly from woolen socks to a life threatning situation. What can I say, my mind works in mysterious ways.
Solving problems and dealing with emergencies aren't always the same thing and need different skills.
Emergency descision making is just as you described, pick a course of action, often based on little evidence and stick with it. To me this is about dealing with the symptoms; the room is flooded, stop the leak and minimize the damage. Don't delay just do something.
Problem solving is about stepping back, examining everything and coming up with solutions. The more radical the solutions you come up with the better potential you have to fix the root cause. Why did the room flood, is it the roof or a pipe, or even a river; why did that happen, do we just patch that and hope it doesn't happen again, or do we change the design. What is the cost/benefit? Can we make other enhancements while we are fixing this? This takes time, thought and reflection. You need to ask 'Why?' a lot; why did the room flood: burst pipe. Why did the pipe burst; room too cold. Why was the room too cold... etc.
We all need both skills, but if you practice problem solving then you will tend to encounter less emergencies.
I sure do like it when you do more writing. I like to hear about the process in your head, how you think things through. Most people don't have the skills you do when it comes to logic and problem solving. And it IS a skill. It develops over time. It is not taught in schools anymore, but it should be. Then maybe there won't be as many clueless, helpless people in the world.
That is very true and needs to be constant reminder for all of us. Most of the time life is completely in our own hands!
Very much agree. I am a firm believer on taking control of your own life. Everyone has obstacles and hardships, but you just have to work through them and do what ever you can to get to where you want to be.
Very true, well spoken.
What gives us a certain growth is non-standard solutions, even through error, but if there was not an error there would be no originality.
I think the more mistakes you make, the more you can learn. But if you make the same mistake multiple times, then you are not very smart.
It's true, but we also look at interesting films several times
Sometimes that comes down to a sheer lack of imagination. Those with active minds and imaginations tend to be more resilient when you have to think on your feet. I've never had trouble coming up with more or less good solutions to problems on the spot. Often, I have to deliberately slow myself down because quick action may result in worse problems sometimes.
I think I have the same problem, and need to try and slow down sometimes. I usually want to jump into action mode immediately and not think about too much.
There are some things I've learned the hard way to be very careful about like not losing my travel documents, wallet and keys. Until four years ago, I did not have a key chain. Instead, I kept my keys in my pockets. Big mistake! I had a bunch of keys including one key to a rental apartment of ours, a key to an apartment we owned in Tampere, a bicycle key, a key to my parents' house, and a key to the garage of our rental apartment. Replacing the rental keys and changing the locks alone would've set us back €800.
The keys had fallen out of my pocket in central Lahti during heavy snowfall on a January day in 2014. On my birthday in March a couple of months before we would move out of that apartment, I went to the police station to ask for my keys. They had all been taken to the police. Turns out a snowplow had pushed the key ring with the keys attached to it to the side of the street. When the snow melted, they were noticed and picked up by some kind stranger who delivered them to the lost and found office at the police station. I knew they had to have been moved by a snowplow because the key to my parents' house was bent out of shape.
It's about self-esteem, it's not the same for everyone, you do not have any problems with it or you do not want to see other solutions
Life is all about the detours. Enjoy the challenge!
No one knits like eveuncovered! Socks of the Apocalypse! ;)
Detours have the best views, don't you agree!?
Absolutely!!!
well done :)
Thanks you!
Your packing strategy is the same as me and I always ask myself why did you bring all this... As I'm dragging it around from place to place 😉 I guess it's an over-preparer personality trait
Butbutbut I'm sure I will need ten shirts/tops for a four day trip...
Adapt, Overcome, and Conquer.
You've gathered a lot of inspiration from socks =D!
I have good imagination!
I kept scrolling down hoping for another shot of you in just the socks. ;)
Socks only is not sexy!
I think you could make it work ;)
Maybe, just maybe, if they were knee high!
that would be super hot but how long would those take to knot?
Me says, "thigh high" is the ticket to ride... hehehe...
Was that the magic word that brought you back to my blog? 😈
The magic word being what? Thigh-highs? If so, yes... hehe... Otherwise, do clue me in...
Okay, so if your memory serves you to any degree whatsoever, you'd know that I'd like a much more elaborate photo-journal of this particular "yarn" of yours... hehe... Nonetheless, I enjoyed this foray immensely. ;-)
And yes, as hard as we may try, we cannot account for every possible contingency in the grander scheme of things - although, having several plans in place - though they may not cover all - is far better than having no plan at all...