Is Your Problem Expensive?

The Keurig coffee maker has a small basin under the spout to catch spills.

Many desktop personal computers have a battery backup power supply in case of the loss of electrical power.

Most cars have a warning light to indicate low or insufficient fuel.

Without a catch basin, a battery, or indicator lights, we may have a problem, but many problems really aren’t problems when we are prepared. One problem of being prepared is that sometimes our dependence on the solution makes us take the problem for granted.

“No need to stop for gas now, a warning light comes on when it is low.”  Doesn’t account for the mileage to travel to the next filling station, the traffic jam around the corner, or even if the warning light is working.

Many of our problems are not so big or not so expensive when we have budgeted for them. They become part of our plan of action and typically are not viewed as much of a problem at all. “Our fuel gauge is indicating low fuel, I see a station, let’s get fuel now,” is much less expensive than running out of fuel and calling for a tow.

For the unprepared, under budgeted, or overly confident, a problem may grow to become a crisis.

A crisis is always more expensive.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and coach that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is the author of the newly released book, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at DennisEGilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

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