Think Big Picture
It is becoming clearer and clearer to me that being a politician is not an easy job. Think about it! They have the difficult task of trying to do what is the best for their country as a whole and in the long run while at the same time they need to maintain people's confidence. How do you keep people's confidence? By being populist and acting to their whims. In other words, these two things often clash.
Next time you react to a case in the media, ask yourself few questions and keep few things in mind:
- What is the big picture here? Does solving it one way cause bigger problems later? What kind of effects will this have later?
- Everything costs money and money doesn't grow on trees. Would you be willing to pay double tax few years down the road to get this sorted out? Would you be willing to have no pension when you are old because the consequences of this cost a lot of money? Or will you just complain about that too?
- Do you feel good about yourself because of the opinions you have? Could it be that you are polishing your own ego by thinking that you are a better person than the politician? Remember that sitting and judging is always easier than actually running a country.
I have fallen into all these traps many times. I just sit there and judge thinking I am much better than the rest. From now on I am gonna try to ignore the media cases or at least always think about the underlying problem before starting to shout.
Not just politics
I think this applies to any organization, not just politics. I've seen myself be very cynical about my previous employer, which was the first place I worked after school.
It's a big part of adulthood - understanding that radical change is not always the solution. Your perception of problems is based on _your_ priorities - but the people making decisions should be weighing everybody's priorities.
I complain a lot less about work now - I realize it's a lot easier to criticize and tear things apart, than creating something new. Whenever somebody attacks the "system", let them first offer an alternative that would really work for everybody.
So true
That is a very good point Daniel! This applies not just to politics but also many other things in life. I find myself in that one too. I complain a bit too much:-). It is so easy to complain and judge when you are not sitting in the decision chair yourself. When you don't need to take everyone's interest into consideration (eg. employers and shareholders rarely have have the same priorities but neither can continue without the other).
It is good to try to see the realistic big picture and if you feel like critisizing to come up with a suggestion for change factoring into it the facts you know. If somebody points out more influence factors you retract until you have managed to factor those into you suggestion in a good way. Well, it is easier said than done but we live and we learn:-).
yes but...
Alll well and good, and true as far as it goes...
But some of us know that medium geek *is* better than most people ;)
(Or we like you more at any rate. Welcome to another week)
Me not sure
:-) Not even sure if this was being sarcastic or just being nice. If meant as nice I say thank you! If meant as sarcastic, I say that I probably deserved it:-).
I am in no way nice. I try to tell myself that I am just very realistic but I guess it borders on simply not being that nice. I have very strict views on things and tend to expect a lot from people. I sometimes manage to convince myself that I am being nice because of some opinions I have but I usually come back to earth quickly.
The positive thing though is that by not thinking I am nice I can always strive for becoming better. If I thought I was nice I would just be content and not get any nicer. Maybe there is still a chance for me:-).
Welcome to another week you too!