The Long Road

02/24/2004 Archived Entry: "Proactive"

Not the skin care product.

It bugs me when people complain about something endlessly when they could so easily fix their problem by trying even just a bit. There are three steps to solving a problem. First, recognizing that there is a problem; second, identifying the cause; third, to do something about it! It is mindbendly irritating to hear someone who has identified both the problem and its source and yet stubbornly does nothing about it.

Sometimes you know you have a problem but you don't really care (meh, I'm a procrastinator), but if it bugs you enough to complain about it on an regular basis then shit man, go out there and at least try to fix it. No magical solution will drop onto your lap if you're just sitting around hoping for it to.

Often a solution can be starring you right in the face and yet you're too busy skulking in your own misery to even see it.

Here I am complaining about the complainers, maybe I should tell 'em straight up. It's rather difficult to write this in a general enough form so that it's not obvious who I'm taking about but if this sounds like it's about you, then either shut up or get your ass in gear.

Replies: 12 comments

Well if there was a place for me to stand on this issue, it would be right on top of Thai.

Posted by Mike @ 02/24/2004 08:43 PM EST

Room for two?

Posted by Hyperion @ 02/25/2004 01:03 AM EST

*crushed under all the weight*

Posted by Rayne @ 02/25/2004 01:09 AM EST

First Aid?

Posted by Andrea @ 02/25/2004 02:44 AM EST

aren't we all guilty of this?

anyways, thai, you forgot a few steps in your problem solving equation ... you must identify the problem, analyse the problem, come up with different alternatives, evaluate the alternatives, make a recommendation and then implement your solution (oh yeah, and don't forget the contingency plan) ... or maybe that's just how you write a business case (four years of an honours degree ... and that's basically all i know how to do ... so sad)

Posted by melpie @ 02/25/2004 09:29 AM EST

Step 1: Have Problem
Step 2: Drink
Step 3: Problem Solved

Posted by Doug @ 02/25/2004 12:02 PM EST

what if your problem is that you drink too much?

Posted by Rayne @ 02/25/2004 12:25 PM EST

"To alcohol: The cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems."

"I thought that Alcohol was just for those with
nothing else to do
I thought that drinking just to get drunk
was a waste of precious booze
But now I know that there's a time
and there's a place where I can choose
To walk the fine line between
self-control and self-abuse"

Posted by ian @ 02/25/2004 02:19 PM EST

Fine...I'll be proactive...Hey Ian, choose doesn't rhyme with self-abuse.

Posted by dAN @ 02/25/2004 06:13 PM EST

Hey I didn't write it, it's BNL (who I'm seeing tonight in concert, so I'll be sure to bring it up if i get anywhere near them).

But it's more of a half-rhyme... and you can make it sound closer by the correct pronounciation...

ch-OOSE
a-BYO0SE

Well, whatever, I tried. Listen to the song ("Alcohol" off of "Stunt")

Posted by ian @ 02/26/2004 10:23 AM EST

Whatever man...just felt like being an ass...;)!

Posted by dAN @ 02/26/2004 07:34 PM EST

True, we're all guilt to some extent but I know very few people who constantly bemoan to others something they could easily help.

Posted by Rayne @ 02/27/2004 06:31 PM EST