better work issue #41

A semi-automatic rifle is slung across the officer's chest. Wordlessly he sticks out his gloved hand. You hand him your ID.

He flicks his eyes from your ID to your face. He does a double take.

Officer: "Have you been drinking tonight?"

You: "Uh..."

Officer, gripping his rifle: "Step out of the car."

Houston, we have a problem

All military gates in the United States are DUI checkpoints. This is a known fact to all military families, and even for civilians, it seems like common sense.

Military police guard every gate - and if they get the sense you're intoxicated, they will stop you from entering the base and slap you with a DUI.

My husband worked closely with the heads of the Army base he was once stationed in. This base in particular had a Major DUI problem (pun intended). Its nickname was ‘Fort Drunk.’

My husband suggested they use electronic signs to remind people the gate they were about to use was a DUI checkpoint.

His idea was based on a WHO study. There were already electronic signs posted on the entrance and exit. Typically the signs were used to send out alerts or welcome high-ranking officers.

My husband suggested that by adding something like “Gate is DUI Checkpoint” people who went off the military base to go drinking would be less inclined to drive drunk.

His Generals scoffed.

“Everyone already knows that,” they said. “We need a better solution.”

But since my husband's idea cost $0 (the military's favorite price), they tried it. The electronic signs by the gate gave drivers a gentle reminder not to drink and drive before leaving or coming back.

They also sent out an automated text message on Friday night to all active duty personnel, reminding them that driving drunk by the gate meant immediate consequences.

In the first few months of implementation, reports of DUIs of active duty personnel of Fort Drunk dropped by 20%.

So, how did commanding officers of the world's third largest military overlook such a simple solution - one that was literally sitting right in front of them?

The solution had been well studied and verified by a reputable source. It is something that comes up on Page 1 of the Google search "how to reduce DUIs".

It took a fresh set of eyes to notice the obvious - and correct - solution.
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Old reminders > New lessons

Sometimes a reminder comes in the form of another person's perspective, a change of scenery, or a major life transition.

Honestly - it doesn't matter how you get there.

The only requirement on your end is to set aside your ego. The instinct of "I already tried that!" or "I already know that!" or "That won't work for me!" needs to get in the passenger seat.

Because whether you do something or not, time will pass.

So what if the thing you're stuck on isn't because you ‘haven't found the answer,’ but is more like you're not accepting the answer right in front of you?

• Are you trying to find a better solution because the one in front of you isn't good enough?
• Are you and your situation so special a common solution won't work?

All that (waves hands around) is your ego.

Because you are not the first person in the entire world to encounter whatever problem you're facing.

I don't know about you, but that reminder ☝️ releases the tension from my shoulders. It lets me set down my heavy-ass ego so I have room in my hands to receive the simplest solution.

If you’re ready to confront the real problem (no ego-free perspective), and talk about the solutions you need (an outside perspective), I’m here.

What's an answer you're having a hard time accepting?

Take care of yourself,