Why Doesn't it Work?

If someone complains about some facet of work, play or another matter that I control, I always try to do something to fix the problem. I recently presented a new idea at my job to alleviate the high cost of some student rewards that we offered for our Word of the Day Contest. I bought (with my own money but for a very fair price at a thrift store) a covered ceramic dish to hold unwrapped candy. The unwrapped gummy worms were much less expensive and I placed a spoon to serve 1 or 2 worms to each child.

The first reaction from two of my co-workers was a harsh, "This will never work". I've noticed in many situations both in and out of work that this is often the first reaction to many novel or unconventional ideas. Why is it so many automatically choose to focus on what MAY go WRONG rather than what may work right. I must also ask the question, "Why would this fail? Is it because there is a problem with the solution or will it fail because you are unwilling to persevere and find ways to tweak the solution to perfection? Is it too much work?"

I see this happening with many of our national problems. Americans want immediate sweeping solutions to the recession, health care problem and, the war overseas. We need to be practical and more scientific. We should make small changes, observe the results and either go ahead with further plans or change the plans to find a solution that will work.

Solutions to problems are not always perfect on the first try. It also takes authentic use before one can see the pros and cons of a solution. I only ask that we try and to make a solution work before we authomatically throw it in the waste can.