“Get out of the way, kid!”
CaptainN
A long time ago, when KB’s was the place you went to buy video games, my brother Bobby and I looked on at a fellow kid attempting a demo on the SNES. Attempting. Badly, attempting.
My mind is analytical. Constantly examining variables and outcomes. When the outcome is clear to me and not to others, I get antsy. This kid was getting his ass kicked. Also during those times, Bobby and I were self proclaimed “masters.” Able to pick up any game and quickly become fluent in it’s mechanics and game play. Like all kids, we thought we were undefeatable.
Back when video games were hard.
Watching this kid was killing me and I made no attempt to hide my disdain for the amateur. But, social etiquette dictated that I behave myself and wait my turn. The game’s defeat was inevitable and the boy would be avenged.
Bobby, on the other hand, was much cooler and nonchalant. He noticed my antsyness and let out a snicker when he saw my leg vibrating. After the boy walked away in defeat, Bobby laughed at me and said I should have just jumped in to save the kid. In my voice he said, “Get outta the way, kid!” and made a pushing motion with his arms, as if jumping into the path of a bullet.
We laughed at the idea but in the back of my mind, I wondered…
Today.
That analytical antsyness still exists today only now it extends to a lot more than video games. My job right now is with a vet clinic that is converting to a paperless record keeping system. I know the software, a self-proclaimed master, if you will. I know what it’s capable of and how to apply many of it’s features to real problems. Yet, I’m not allowed to make changes right away, and for good reason. These things need to be slow and delicate. At the same time, some procedures you just need to dive in head first – with your clothes still on – and with a full stomach.
This new function I am trying to introduce has a simple on/off setting to activate it. It will solve many logistical issues and will save an immense amount of time. My analytical mind has determined that this is the best course of action – all variables have been accounted for and the most logical course of action is to stop pussyfooting and go.
I can hear my brother laughing at me.
Get outta the way, kid, indeed. I guess I just need to be patient.
I hear you, man. I spent 5 years working to get a company as paperless as possible and while saw all the stuff that needed to get done, it was hard dealing with the fact you can’t just change cold turkey.
I’m of a mind that says you work hard at planning the system, and when it’s done (and tested), you apply it full force and go from there. If you spend too much time living in both worlds shit gets lost and you don’t gain anything.
In the end the company got a lot more paperless, but far from what I knew they could have achieved if they had believed in what was going on.
One fun thing I did those was write a paper counter into the applications that tracked how many sheets of paper was being saved. The one application has been in place for a little over 3 years and right now the counter says that about 152884 sheets of paper have been saved – and that’s a LOW estimate. That’s over a ton of paper.
People like us that are “masters” will never learn patience because we know we’re always right
If only everyone else knew that…
There’s more to the dynamics than I’m describing – there are old people that don’t learn as quickly as younger people do. Doctor’s seem to be resistant to technology by design. And the rest of them feel that it’s more work than it’s worth to learn these new techniques. In the end, they are all afraid of change. For people like us, these changes are easy because they’re exciting and fun. I love coming up with solutions for people. Solutions usually mean change.
Anyway, this place has been in business for over 20 years and I imagine how much paper they’ll save with this new software. A ton of paper is an awesome feat!
I’ll give them a few months before they realize that this is easier and i was right. Won’t do me much good at that point except for the simple satisfaction that I left them better off.