Figure It Out
By – Willie Grubaugh
7/10/12
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hat is “Figure it out”? Who has it? Who does not? Why do
some have it, and some can’t even get close?
A dog with figure it out lives indoors, with air
conditioning in the summer, fresh water, and lots of attention. A dog without
figure it out lives outside.
It is not only for the Spiritual. It does not align with one
political party over another. It does not discriminate against color, or race.
It simply is within some of us, and non-existent in others. It is not only
available to the wealthy, or unavailable to the poor. As a matter of fact, many
from poverty figure it out every day; how to eat, where it will come from, how
to pay bills with not enough money. This is a shocking thought to a handful,
and reality for way too many. I know firsthand. I came from poverty. I figured
out I hated it. I figured out I wanted a very different, better life. I did not
know exactly what it looked like, but I knew what I didn’t want it to look like
forever. I figured out how to get out of poverty.
The question of “How do I do that?” is replaced with “Show
me (once)”, or “Let me try”. “Get out of the way & let me do it” is a
common identifier of the Figure It Out class. Mistakes are common to this
class, but quitting is not.
Figure it out applies in various ways to different people. I
talked with a range of people about how they defined “Figure it out”; small
business owners, sales people, executives, rich, poor, the spiritual.
One example of life without “Figure it out” is a person I
know in sales. He is constantly in conflict with his supervisor. It is a shame.
He needs to figure out the next level of maturity. He, his income, and what he
is able to provide his family is limited daily to his disrespect, next comment
without forethought, &, or next ignorant action. The reality is, if he
could ever figure out that next level of maturity… he would be the most
dominant salesman on record. He could partner in so many ways, with so many
companies and his income would be without ceiling. He just does not have figure
it out. He does make a decent living. He has a respectable job. It is limited
to a job, not a career because he simply does not understand respect, humility,
or gratitude. That is what figure it out would mean to him. Hopefully, one day,
he will figure it out.
One avenue for figure it out used by the most successful is
the use of mentors. Mentors are willing to help most anyone figure it out. The
nice thing about mentors is the mentor has most likely been where you want to
go. The mentor has learned the hard lesson and is willing to teach the softer,
smarter, easier way of doing things. This is the version of figure it out minus
the knots on the head.
Watch a toddler on any given day, for a few hours. Keep
their cup up an inch or so above their arms’ reach. Put their snack in a large
living room chair. Observe how they keep track of their favorite toy, and are
always able to get it no matter where it is, what it is in, on, or how high up the
toy might be. Toddlers have figure it out. They can get up on most any couch,
bed, chair, or table for the sake of whatever it is the toddler wants, or
needs. And, if all else fails, the toddler quickly “Figures it out” that the
grandparents will take care of the rest.
In talking with recruiter Liz Fitch, she defined “Figure It
Out” simply as get it done. Liz has been in business since 1989. So I asked her
about her biggest mistake along the way. Her response was, “Taking for granted
those who are most critical to your success along the way; particularly your
significant other.” It made me reflect on my work history and the one person
who’s consistently been at my side at the end of each day; my wife Amy.
I met with Katie Vrana & Stephanie Slyter recently to
get their take on figure it out. Katie & Stephanie are sisters who own
& operate The Hole Thing; a gourmet donut shop. The two put the idea of a
donut shop together on Katie’s back patio one afternoon over mojitos. Yes,
drinks were involved. How else to you get two sisters who lived over 1000 miles
apart at the time, one a fitness trainer, the other in mold removal, to partner
for a gourmet donut shop? Mojitos! Both girls combined to define “Figure It
Out” for me. It’s a recipe of course. After all, they do operate a gourmet
donut shop, and here it is:
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One part confidence
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One part Google
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One part basic common sense
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One part learn along the way
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One part asks questions because people generally
love to tell you all they know.
I asked the girls what is the biggest, most costly mistake
you made along the way? This is what they both agreed & had to say, “Not
paying close enough attention to our lease agreement. There are some things we
should have protected ourselves against. It’s worth hiring an attorney to
review lease agreements. You should somehow research the people or company who
owns the property.” Figure it out continues to be a part of their daily
operations as keeping up with school in, spring break, then school out for summer,
weather, & holidays verses what is the right amount of donuts to make each
day. Empty cases too early are no way to successfully run a donut shop.
I had the pleasure of interviewing a soldier I’ve known for
some time who asked not to have his name mentioned. He’s just that humble I
guess. He defined “Figure It Out” as, “My sole purpose is to figure out how to
be sure and make it home every time. My day to day? Well that is just the job.
My purpose is to get back home to my family. I like to surprise my family.” So
I told my son I loved him and hung up the phone.
