The three laws of Reform

Preface

In every human endeavour, there are hardships that meet every single one of us. These hardships must be dealt with to allow the human race in general to progress on the larger scale, and the person to achieve on the personal level.

But there are many ways and approaches to dealing with these issues, and many people stumble and hesitate to make the right decision when the expected behavior is staring right in the eye. Therefore, this simple guide might help a person make the right decision. Especially when faced with a large number of uncertainties and when the matters don't work as planned

The reason why I picked "when the matters don't go as planned" is simply because when everything is going great, -usually- no body cares why. It's when things become tough that people start trying to understand where they went wrong. This is exactly why these laws will come in very handy.

Just understand that these are reforming a strategic endeavor (and to a limited extent tactical decision), not something that you would consider for instantaneous actions in situations that may be life threatening for example. Allows apply common sense there, it's obvious.

Target Audience

Leaders, Decision makers, executive management, field commanders. Just about anyone who is faced with tough decisions. Just about everyone falls under "Decision makers".

Prerequisites

Honesty. Honesty. Honesty. Not with anyone else, but with the self. Nothing else is required. Not even enough details about the matter. Because most of the people end up in these situations due to lack of knowledge.

Qwaider's three laws Reform

All the laws start with the following, If at first you don't succeed...

1.Try to figure out what you're doing wrong.

This requires a lot of honesty with one's self. Trying to know, if the situation requires more hard work? Better understanding? More time? Less distractions? Perhaps more resources? What ever it is, try to fulfil what you think the situation is calling for

If you try law 1, and you don't succeed,

2.Investigate what the situation demands/others want

This will require an honest approach to the problem, the other people involved, your manager, your spouse, your teacher. Try to understand what they want. You will need to demonstrate that you have tried everything you could in law 1. In other words, tried to help yourself before asking others for help.

You can alternate between laws 1 and 2 for a while  (but no more than twice) until you start considering;

3. Cut your losses, and withdraw

You need to realize that there are certain times where there is no realistic way that you will succeed at the task at hand. There's a good chance that you're not the right person for the job. This is not defeat, this conservation of your strength, resources, time and possibly future. Don't spend 14 years trying to graduate from medical school when you could have spent that time pursuing something that you aspire for and you might strike luck in it.

Sometimes, it doesn't help to go over the same problem again and again with no end. Unless something circumstances changed that allow Laws 1 or 2 to be given another try without sacrificing too much more time and resources on what has been tried before and failed. If it gives you in a breakthrough, then it's not the time for this law. But make sure you follow the prerequisite, honesty with your self.

As another example, lets say you're unhappy with your relationship. You tried to improve your self in all possible ways, then you tried to do everything your partner asked for and you're still not getting anywhere, it might be an indication that it's time to go for the third law.

A word of caution

There are life and death situations where these laws don't apply. If you are trying to stay alive by swimming for as long as you can, then there's no sanity in considering the third law. These are situations outside of strategic decisions.  These are not even tactical decisions. But instantaneous decisions that a person has to take to preserve their life for example. In these extreme conditions, such systems don't really apply. But whenever there is a chance to think and consider your alternatives, this system will guide you through it.

These laws are not meant to discourage people from trying. But, when you're in the field, or in an effective spot, banging your head until eternity is not going to solve anything. Fact is, we all have limited time, and limited resources. These might be better spent on restarting a different project than trying to revive a failure after it has been dead and buried.