Well Do Something!

By Ron Pereira Updated on January 13th, 2011

“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
-Yogi Berra

A True Story

Several years ago I was riding in the car with my Grandma and Grandpa. We were driving to the store if I remember correctly. Along the way my Grandpa pulled up to a busy intersection, paused, and then pulled out into the middle. And then, for whatever reason, he just froze.

So there we were… sitting ducks in the middle of a busy intersection. After a few seconds, which seemed like hours to my young mind, my Grandma looked at my Grandpa and uttered three words I will never forget for the rest of my life, “Well, do something!”

Luckily, he did do something (pressed on the accelerator) and no one was hurt. I tell this story since it makes me smile… but also because I think there is a lesson to be learned.

Forks in the Road

You see, in life we often find ourselves at a fork in the road.

Do we zig or zag? Do we go for it or pass? Do we start making improvements or plan another week?

While I would never promote making decisions recklessly or without thinking things through, I do feel there is a time when we just have to take a deep breath and go for it.

I’m sure my Grandpa was frozen with fear as he pressed on the accelerator… but he did it. So it is with us, we too need to press on the accelerator from time to time even though we’d probably prefer to wait just a little while longer.

The worst thing that can happen (short of being run over by a truck) is we fail in the short term while learning a valuable lesson that helps us in the long term. What’s so bad about that?

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Ron Pereira

Ron has more than 20 years of experience in various manufacturing, supply chain, and senior leadership roles. Ron has held the titles of process engineer, engineering manager, master black belt, and director of manufacturing & continuous improvement. In 2002 Ron was the first American to win the Nokia Global Six Sigma and Overall Quality award in Helsinki, Finland. Ron holds a bachelor's degree in automated manufacturing and an MBA in technology management.

Alex Lewis
April 9, 2008 - 7:04 pm
Reply

Excellent post. I was trained as a Black Belt several years ago and must admit it has made me more hesitant. I find myself in the measure and analyse phases forever! I am trying to break out of this. Thank you for making me think about this. Acknowledging you have a problem is the first step right?
Ron Pereira
April 10, 2008 - 4:33 pm
Reply

Thanks for your honesty Alex. I too have found myself lost in the data from time to time. But once we get the balance right… having both lean and six sigma at our disposal is a great thing. Good luck!