A Life-Changing Approach to Messing Up (as taught to me by Waze)

Shev Simon
Aug 22, 2017 · 2 min read

Waze is this fabulous app on my phone (and perhaps on yours too) that tells you in real time how to get from A to B the quickest way possible.

As far as I can tell, it’s magic. Somehow, Waze knows where I am, how fast I’m going, how much traffic there is ahead, where the next police camera is, and how many metres till my next right turn. Brilliant.

But Waze is not just smart, it is also awesome. You ready for this?

As well as boasting the technology to guide me from anywhere to anywhere, if I make a mistake, Waze recalculates. Genius, right?

Waze: At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit.

Me: Okey-dokey!

[Takes 2nd exit.]

Waze: You never listen! I don’t know why I bother! I’m so angry right now!

Ha ha just kidding.

What actually happens is this:

Waze: (beep beep beepity beep) Recalculating. In 100 metres, turn left.

That is some serious awesomeness.

Waze did not insult me. Waze didn’t point out the errors of my ways. Waze didn’t tell me a new way to think so I can do better next time.

Waze told me what action to take that would fix my mistake. The end.

No judgement, no lecture.

What do you need to do to fix it? Do that.

So next time I drop something, forget something, fail at something… no need to kick myself. I’m just going to do what I need to do to fix it. And move on.

And next time someone I work with or live with drops, forgets, or fails… no need for ugly words. What do you need to do to fix it? Do that.

No judgment, all action.

Life changed. Check.

)

Shev Simon
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