Solving the Puzzle?

It might be a good idea to take a look at the picture on the box. . .

It’s been a while since my last communique. That’s because I like to follow the adage that if you don’t have anything relevant to say, don’t say it. But occasionally something I feel is pertinent does bubble to the surface. And that’s the reason for the today’s letter.

When our family occasionally has an opportunity to take a relaxing getaway vacation, one of the popular pastime activities is to set up a jigsaw puzzle, and then leisurely put it together during the respite.

Although I’ll admit that I’m not big on putting together puzzles, there is a mystique to the assembly exercise that I’ve noticed:

1. People will tend to saunter over to the table to take a look.

2. They’ll scan the table for all of the pieces spread out.

3. Then prior to attempting to match up any pieces, they’ll examine the picture of the puzzle that’s on the top of the box.

4. After which, they’ll then pick up a puzzle piece of their choice, examine it, and then start trying to find the place where it might fit or connect within the puzzle.

While I’m sure that many think that this is a relaxing and fun exercise, I find it tedious and end up wondering why the manufacturer would cut up the pieces of a perfectly good picture in the first place.

Nevertheless, what seems pretty basic in the above “puzzle solving” process is that Step 3 (or examining the entire puzzle picture) is always a fundamental and basic step in assembling the puzzle. And unless you’re in the Mensa Club and enjoy the challenge of putting together a 5,000 piece, “all white” puzzle, most people want to see the big picture of the completed puzzle ahead of time, so that they can “connect the dots” and visualize the end game of the exercise.

Yet it seems that in real life (and quite often in business) many people often neglect to start with an understanding of the big picture before they launch straight into the task at hand. How often do see individuals or groups take on a project, program, and/or activity where he/she/they simply dive in, pick up a shovel, and start to dig. In such instances sometimes a little planning and foresight might help avoid cutting into a buried utility line.

How many of us would, when taking a vacation or excursion, just jump into the car and start driving without knowing where we’re planning to go? But we hear it all the time, “Planning? Who the heck has time to plan? I’m too busy!”

It’s actually kind of funny when you think of it – we seem to have plenty of time for a little contemplative circumspection and analysis when on vacation and putting a puzzle together, but not necessarily when we’re racing through the daily routine and chaos of life’s challenges.

But then again, maybe it’s not surprising that our life puzzle doesn’t always end up looking like what we might have hoped.

Next time, when facing our important challenges, let’s take a look at the picture on the box before we start trying to put pieces together.