One

My first answer would be to use logic. Figure out what the problem is. Determine a solution. Rationally lay out a plan of action. Implement it.

The problem with this is that I don’t follow plans well – let me rephrase. Plans do not approximate reality well. They don’t take into account:

• The fact that when you make the plan, you don’t know everything you’re going to encounter. You can’t fully understand the situation until you’re in the middle of it.
• Often times you have to deal with other people, and they may not fit neatly into your plan.
• You are more efficient at certain times than others and this seems to be sporadic (at least for me). With a solid plan, you often have to do things even when you’re not being very efficient at them, eg you have a headache or are distracted by a fight with a friend or spouse.

Two

The next possibility is emotion. You know, just feel it out and go with what seems like the right thing to do. This has its share of benefits (more action, less thinking, more efficiency of activity because you’re in the moment dealing with things as they come up), but it can also create problems:

• This isn’t so good with deadlines.
• It’s easy to ignore other people and their problems.
• If the problem is complex or requires several steps, you may miss something critical and then have to deal with in a “putting out the fire” method.

Three

Doesn’t it seem like there should be a 3rd way? Something that provides the best of the other options while minimizing their difficulties? Let’s try this:

1. Identify the problem.
2. Lay out a plan to solve the problem. This may or may not be written down, but think it through as best you can. If you do write it down, realize that this is a rough guide, not a rulebook. You don’t actually have to do anything that you write down. This is very important.
3. Do whatever feels right. This is most likely the first thing on your list (if you made one) since you just did it, but the second thing you do may or may not be.

Now you may be asking, how is this different from any other system of problem solving? Well, it’s not really. I mean, it does create a sort of logical structure around emotional efficiency, which is nice but let’s be honest – that’s what most of us do anyway, isn’t it?

I think what I’m really looking for here is something that is not yet defined. Let’s try this:

Three (part the Deux)

What if you could live your life with an awareness of “what needs to be done” (logic), how you’re feeling (emotion), and how anyone else affected by the problem is feeling? What if you could hold that in your head, balance it, and then automatically determine your actions based on it? Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Sound impossible? Sound easy? Maybe you already do this – or think you do. I think I used to do this, but I know that I don’t now. I wonder if I can again?

A coffee shop in Kirkland, WA is NOT posting prices for the coffee and sandwiches that it sells, and is expecting customers to simply pay what they think is right. Cash is deposited into an anonymous drop box. Will this work? Excellent question. It will be interesting to see the results of this experiment.

This causes to dream up a new experiment in social capitalism that would provide more information so that customers would have legitimate reference points as to the amount of money that they’re spending. For example, maybe the menu would show the cost of producing the coffee (including overhead), the price at a reasonable profit of say 30%, the average price that other consumers pay, and the average going price for similar coffee shops in the area.

Then the decision is up to an informed consumer and is not based solely on an abstract feeling of right or moral necessity. If they can afford to spend more, they may do so out of desire to support the business or out of desire to help those less fortunate to be able to enjoy the same items. Either way, the ambiguity of how much to leave and the potential guilt from wondering, “Did I leave enough?” will be reduced if not eliminated. The consumer is empowered to determine the impact of his or her expenditures.

It’s also fascinating to consider this system being applied to other industries: supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, maybe even car dealers. This type of system would really encourage excellent customer service, not unlike tipping does in the restaurant industry today.

It’s possible that these ideas would not work in the marketplace, but it’s interesting to think of them in terms of further empowering consumers to make choices that support businesses they enjoy and want to ensure the continued profitability and existence of.