Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

When things are going well, be careful about adding more “good” things. An addition is a foreign element and will change the situation.

I wish we had a bigger budget so we could do more of what we are doing now.

Wishes are often like the above. Granting a wish will surely make things better, even if they are pretty good already.

If you are in a good situation, please think twice (or thrice or more) about adding more resources to make things even “good-er.” Anything you add is a foreign element. It will disturb what you are experiencing and probably throw you into chaos (see note below).

Chaos may lead to another good situation, but, then again, it may not. And that brings us to the title of this post. If you are in a good experience, it might be best if you stay in that experience. Adding more “goodness” may tip things awry.

I have worked in good situations perhaps half a dozen times in the last 30 years. That leaves plenty of years for not-so-good situations. The good situations had just the right combination of people, challenges, solutions, and other resources. There are a few combinations of such items that bring a good situation. There are countless combinations of such items that bring a bad situation.

Enjoy good experiences. Cherish them, and nourish them carefully.

Note: The terms status quo, foreign element, and chaos are part of the Satir Change Model. For one description of the Satir Change Model, see this link.