I hear myself thinking about such abstract things as ‘highs and lows,’ leading me down paths with an unknown destination. Such fun.
I was a day late in my reading of the daily paper. I read the headline about a farmer who was retiring and was trying to decide whether it was better to sell the farm outright or to lease the land for someone else to farm.
This prompted the columnist to present a helpful problem-solving matrix instead of a specific solution. I was surprised by how effective this matrix was for me.
Imagine a large square divided into 4 smaller squares. The top 2 squares are labelled as High Information/Low Experience and High Information/High Experience. The bottom 2 squares are labelled Low Information/ Low Experience and Low Information/High Experience.
Here is how I have and will apply this thinking to my life.
High Information / Low Experience
Best For: Complicated Problems
This is likely to require consultation.
I am currently reviewing my will, considering several factors such as financial management, choosing executors, and selecting a person to exercise the power of attorney. Not all of these are included in a will, but they are recommended legal documents to be prepared alongside a will.
This is more of a linear approach, with many factors to consider; Step A leads to Step B, then to C, and so on. This is my standard problem-solving method.
I am comfortable reading legal documents, but I definitely need to consult a lawyer when it comes to writing a final draft.
High Information / High Experience
Best For: Highly Complex Problems
This is likely to require collaboration.
I volunteered to write a section for a training manual for a local organization. I’ve written manuals many times in my work history. However, for this particular section, I need to involve several people with knowledge and expertise that I don’t possess. Additionally, I have only limited practical experience, and I need to connect with folks who are ‘doing the work’ – the target audience of this section in the training manual.
This is a non-linear style with many interactions, and I need to be very mindful of the elements I must consider simultaneously. Collaboration, in a word.
Low Information / Low Experience
Best For: Simple Problems
This is a linear style with few considerations.
I solve these on my own.
This is the biggest basket of problems, filled with common everyday issues. I won’t waste valuable space on this, other than to suggest a few examples for clarity: restocking the food shelf regularly and making sure the flowers and rose bush don’t die on me.
Low Information / High Experience
Best For: Complex problems
This is likely to require some counselling.
During my postgraduate days, I faced some mental health challenges. I have experienced this situation 3 other times over many years. I didn’t have this framework to understand my choices back then. However, each time I was successful.
I had one session with a counsellor each time. I clarified that my thinking was clear, and I faced difficult choices. I learned that the angst I was feeling would likely persist until I made the best choices I could, given the circumstances.
I finished each session with a plan, but not always what my final decisions would be.
This was a non-linear style with very limited interaction.
Please give this a bit of a think. Can you apply this matrix to a problem you’re trying to solve? Don’t rush past that sentence. Take a few moments to reflect.
I am curious about your thoughts. Please comment below or send me an email with your bit of a think.
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glenn.walmsley@icloud.com