When you want to make a good product you have to set a goal and start somewhere. You cannot do everything good at ones but need to continuously improve step-by-step by doing research and making informed choices. Last year when I gave an eco-effective training a participant gave the group and me an interesting insight. Simple yet effective! Today I would like to share this with you.
“It wasn’t always easy to find a suitable substitute whose performance was comparable. And here we come upon one of the biggest hindrances to redesign - in fact, for the most part, the reason industry has long continued to use hazardous materials It is not out of some dastardly indifference to the environment or worker health. Designers choose these materials or substances because they perform so well, with few (and sometimes no) nonhazardous, cost-comparable, performance-comparable substitutes that the companies know about. Finding a substitute takes work and time.” [1]
During the training we discussed different aspects of a design process and the problems that come with it. Suddenly one participant said:”Every time I have to make a choice I ask myself: Is this an obstacle or a temptation to reach my goal?” Meaning: Do I need to solve it or let it go by?
The example mentioned above is an obstacle to overcome which needs work and time.
Imagine you are walking on a road towards your goal. Sometimes there is a bump on the road or a mountain to climb, these are obstacles to overcome. Sometimes there is a side road that you can take, but will this road lead you to your goal? Even if it takes you longer but you learn more this side road is not the problem, it is an obstacle. But when this side road ends up in a different place then you goal, then it is a temptation. Something you want to avoid.
Is this an obstacle or a temptation to reach my goal?
A question that works kind of the same: Does this speed up or slow down the accomplishment of my goal?
It sounds like a very simple advice and yet the simplicity of this question helps me a lot in decision making and keeping focus. I hope it will help you too!
During the training we discussed different aspects of a design process and the problems that come with it. Suddenly one participant said:”Every time I have to make a choice I ask myself: Is this an obstacle or a temptation to reach my goal?” Meaning: Do I need to solve it or let it go by?
The example mentioned above is an obstacle to overcome which needs work and time.
Imagine you are walking on a road towards your goal. Sometimes there is a bump on the road or a mountain to climb, these are obstacles to overcome. Sometimes there is a side road that you can take, but will this road lead you to your goal? Even if it takes you longer but you learn more this side road is not the problem, it is an obstacle. But when this side road ends up in a different place then you goal, then it is a temptation. Something you want to avoid.
Is this an obstacle or a temptation to reach my goal?
A question that works kind of the same: Does this speed up or slow down the accomplishment of my goal?
It sounds like a very simple advice and yet the simplicity of this question helps me a lot in decision making and keeping focus. I hope it will help you too!
[1] The upcycle: Beyond sustainability - designing for abundance, William McDonough and Michael Braungart, 2013, page 74
Picture from wikimedia commons
Picture from wikimedia commons
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