Henry L. Mencken said it first: "For every complex problem, there is a solution
that is simple, neat, and wrong." Several 7-Eleven stores learned the truth of
that statement. According to a NEW YORK TIMES article, a number of the
convenience stores had a problem with teenagers hanging out in their parking
lots at all hours of the day and night. Not that they didn't like kids. But the
teens were noisy. Customers had to walk around them to get into the stores. And
they left discarded wrappers, cigarette butts and paper cups on the grounds.
Managers tried various methods to solve the problem. They asked the young people
to move elsewhere. They asked them to pick up their trash. They even spoke to
the police, but nothing worked. Each solution was simple, neat, and ineffective.
Finally, one manager came up with an unusual idea to dissuade the teenagers from
hanging out in front of the stores. He suggested that all the shops start piping
easy-listening music into the parking lots. Immediately, the teens stopped
hanging around. (Perhaps his tactic was ruthless, but it was effective.)
Sometimes we need a good answer. Again and again we butt up against the same old
problem, whether it is relational, professional or personal. It seems that
whatever we try is not working.
Perhaps you need to approach your persistent problem with a new way of thinking.
Leave it in God's hands, He will guide you to the right solution! It may require
a change of thinking though.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
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