Of crossing a bridge and biting a bullet

Sometimes I would tell myself or a friend to only cross a bridge when you are at the bridge. This implies that at present we don’t have to worry too much about a particular problem (or rather “challenge”) we may face in the foreseeable future. It is not yet a problem, it may be a problem in the future that we don’t yet have a solution. Or we would rather not think about it now because the thought of the potential problem is just unbearable and leads to unnecessary worries. We may then comfort ourselves to “take a step at a time”.

The danger of this approach is that we may only go around the issue rather than confronting to resolve it. In the mean time, we merrily lead our day-to-day life and treat it as “business as usual”. In some circumstances this approach leads to pure procrastination. It is then convenient to say that we are “victim of circumstances”.

Probably a bigger danger is that we never really resolve the problem when it actually become a problem. We thought or rather we lead our own mind in believing that it has been resolved. May be the sayings “it is all in the mind” and “you are what you believe” can be applied and play a big role here.

But again we thought “time heals” in that as time passes by “things” get better and we will eventually overcome the challenge. This can be true or false. True if we take proactive steps and “do something about it”. In Covey’s words we should work on our “circle of influence” – do what is within our control. In short, take charge of our own life! (I run the risk of being labeled by some as “ancient” here for quoting Covey!).

A few years ago after a long discussion on what seems to be a never-ending problem, a manager recommended that we should just “bite the bullet” and move forward. In other words he was suggesting we should just make a firm decision and live with the consequences whatever that may be. In a way it is an act of bravado, to some an act of desperation. It sounds like not a bad idea and I think his army of subordinates would be more than happy to support especially if he is the one “biting the bullet” (which in all likelihood he will not!).

Having said all that I do appreciate the fact that he has taught me a new lesson in problem-solving. I must agree at times we have to bite the bullet – make a firm decision and live with the consequences especially in cases where we have very limited options or room to maneuver. And may be when time is not on our side. After all, a bad decision is better than making no decision at all. Now that is something I really have to learn!