Your priorities in a parking lot can change, so why can’t the way you approach new situations in business? Too often, a coworker chants, “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” which can be the kiss of death for productivity.
As readers know, I recently bought a new car and it has changed the way I park. While I treasured my old vehicle, I knew that its days with me were numbered. Parking it was about finding the closest space possible to my destination.
Now in my new car, my priorities have changed for several reasons:
- Parking close means that you’ll be surrounded by other cars. There is a higher likelihood of someone opening their door into your car.
- The spaces attract a lot of traffic as most everyone looks to find the closest open spot. This increases the chances that someone may bump into your vehicle as they are distracted by their search.
- When there is a smaller amount of available spaces close to your destination, you have fewer parking options. Let’s say that your parking style has you prefer to pull up through one space and into another so you can just drive forward, instead of reverse, when you’re ready to leave. You can’t do this when all the surrounding spaces are filled.
In my older car, these issues were not a big deal. Put me behind the wheel of a new car and my priorities change.
Now I park farther away from the front door. While I’m not miles away, I’m fine with a slightly longer walk. I find what looks like a good, safe spot, and I stop there.
In this scenario, one variable changed but it produced several outcomes:
- I’m trying to ensure a long and undamaged life for my car.
- I no longer have the pressure to try to find the nearest spot available or feel bad if I miss it.
- I won’t fight anyone over a desirable parking spot.
- While I’m reluctant to admit it, a slightly longer walk is going to help my waistline.
An old process or procedure can be comfortable but does it continue to serve your needs? Sometimes by introducing a change, you can enjoy several benefits.
If you like this kind of thinking, then you’ll love my new book, Stuck on Yellow, which is packed with other thought stimulating productivity tips.
