Recently I attended an art show and reception at our local library in which my wife Joanne was one of the featured artists. During the course of the afternoon I also wandered over into the library and naturally found myself in the business section. Not seeing any copies of my books there I then did a quick search on the library computer and found that the 5 copies of 48 Days to the Work You Love they have in circulation were all checked out with an 18-person waiting list for those as they are returned.
So I walked up to the desk and talked to the two nice ladies who were overseeing the library on this lovely Sunday afternoon. They confirmed that their five copies of 48 Days to the Work You Love are indeed always checked out and always have a long hold list.
I then suggested that I walk out to my car and get three additional copies that I would give them immediately. But after a brief raised eyebrow they quickly agreed that they had no policy for that and there was no way to integrate those books into their system. No “thank you” or “that would be great” or “we’ll figure this out.” The only solution they could come up with was that I might call the library director on Monday, although they thought she was on vacation for a couple of weeks. I went back to the art show and drank another round of Joanne’s wonderful summer mint tea.
Don’t you love it when you walk into a place of business and immediately see signs that say:
- NO REFUNDS
- NO EXCHANGES AFTER 30 DAYS
- NO CREDIT CARDS
- NO CHECKS
- WATCH DOG ON DUTY
So if a customer in your restaurant finishes their meal, and then is embarrassed to realize your policy about no checks or credit cards – will you refuse their check because it’s “against policy?”
Would you stay in the 20-mph speed limit in a school zone at 3:00 AM in the morning if your child’s head was bleeding and you were on your way to the hospital – because it’s against the law?
Would you obey your boss’s command to serve the hamburger, even though you saw it being picked up from the floor after an accidental spill?
Do you send a check to the charitable organization on TV rather than help your out-of-work niece with her rent this month because giving to her is not tax-deductible?
Do you politely send your resume to the company you want to work for rather than call or show up because they say “No phone calls please”?
Here in my office I have a wooden plaque that says: “There are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something.” Thomas Edison
What are the “rules” and policies in your life that are keeping you from receiving new abundance and success?
It’s a sad commentary on our society. We have more drones than thinkers. I’m glad that those in the 48 Days Community are thinkers. Thanks for another great post Dan.
Eric – ah, thanks for your kind comments.
Those old school rules are what really hurts business. if you can’t change with the times and be flexible (to a point) with your customers forget about growing!
Kimanzi – isn’t change exciting!
This makes me think of an assembly line. No free thinking, adhere to your small repetitive task. Anything out of the ordinary, refer it to the boss. To my way of thinking, such an environment is soul crushing for the employee and the company loses out by not fostering and harvesting ideas of the employees.
Paul – it’s amazing how terrifying little changes are to some people. Keep harvesting those big, beautiful ideas!
So true Dan, I must admit, it’s hard for me to understand and frankly believe, the extent to which some people and some work cultures are fearful of and resist change as well as the extent to which some will go to keep the status quo. Stagnant! My most recent encounter with this has been difficult bust very instructive. I have learned a lot about myself that I otherwise wouldn’t have. Thanks for providing a place that has helped me learn that the ability to think with creativity and thinking outside the box are things to embrace rather than a flaw.
Send some books my way. I don’t have a bar code system and have plenty of friends to loan them out to! Great post on reality. Right now I am taring down all rules and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable as a work towards abundance and success.
Bryan – sounds like you’re on an exciting journey!
Sneak the books onto the shelves with a note inside that says, “Free! Take me home, read, and then share with a friend!”
That is a great idea!
Dan, this really makes me sad to see people so paralyzed into not being able to see past the obvious to get greatness! One wonders if it is fear of their employer or the fear between their own ears. Sometimes one has to just shake their head as you did and move on.
Jen,
I think Alan and I had a healthy discussion about fear again last night. It can be a crippler – but anyone can start to walk out of it. Action does reduce fear.
All the more reason for the beauty of self-employment! Light, nimble, and I can do whatever I want.
Hahaha. I love the Edison quote! Isn’t that the gospel truth. The innovators, the ones we call heretics, they brake the rules and show us the better way. It isn’t lawbreaking as much as it is fracturing and breaking out of the status quo!
Clark – well said. If you say breaking the rules it sounds bad. Innovating sounds much more positive perhaps.
Love this post Dan! This just goes to show that people live in a prison of rules. Kind of like the old testament and the 10 commandments. There’s a place for grace in our rules/policy oriented world. In my short experience here in the 48days community I have been greatly encouraged by people who are conquering their fears, seeking wisdom from a multitude and making their dreams a reality.
Daryl,
The wisdom of the group can accelerate the success for all of us – if it’s the right group. I’m confident you’re in the right group here. Thanks for your comments.
Sadly, most of the time libraries are governed by the rules set down by the publisher who only allows X number of books to read for free
However, as with any government funded/run entity, there is not much innovation on doing things better going on
No wonder society has so many problems policy to often has no ability to see the great value that stands right in front of it.
Like bob dylan one time sang-greatness-sometimes you can’t even give it away!
Just read this and thought this problem was only in the country where I am in Africa! Keep having trouble with one of the restaurants I go to where they cannot make one meal from 2 items on the menu because it’s not their policy! Or they do not sell slices of cake but only whole cakes….. And I keep asking them if they don’t see that they are losing potential market for their products. And the people around me make it sound like I’m the one with the problem! Thank you for confirming that I am not crazy!…..or maybe I am, but I am not alone! haha!
Eunice,
Oh that’s funny. Can’t make a meal from two menu items – how incredibly short-sighted. Well trust me, it’s not just where you are.
While this was a startling experience, I love the fact that it is an opportunity to see the holes that are created in “customer service” with what is available to people. Your book “48 Days to the Work You Love” was the single best motivator for me when I left my law office position. It started me on my journey as a map starts us on our travels. From this post, I have a great idea for my business — I will always have 10 copies of your book available for anyone that I meet either in business or personally who needs a jump start — I will go to my local libraries and see the availability and find out it’s status. If I see a hole, I can fill it myself. CWE and your book taught me to look for the opportunity when a door is closed — Thank You Dan!