One of the funniest things to me in the work world, is how often we refer to toolkits and tool boxes. We try to develop toolkits that can help others accomplish their tasks efficiently and effectively. We ask what strategies, aka tools, organizations provide their clients, patients and members with. And, this is all serious. And, it should be. I have spent much time in the past developing such tools and kits. I see the value in sharing strategies and best practices.

While these are great for driving changes forward, there is often a key tool missing from said boxes.

What about when you have to whack a mole? You didn’t think I was going to be completely serious in this bit, right? Ok. See, we all have experienced those moments where we think we are solving a problem and we get super jazzed and pumped up. To only have to solve or adress a new version of the old problem. It is moments like those that you feel like you are caught in some Twilight Zone version of whack-a-mole. Those little problems just keep popping up in random parts of your life.

And, that is when you need a mallet.

I am the type of person who believes in nuance and knows there is never a once-size-fits-all solution. However, there most definitely comes a time when you need a resurgent resistant solution. You need a mallet. Question is how do you make a mallet a part of your toolkit. You want to often use a chisel instead so that things come out more refined and elegant. It may be that you don’t necessarily need a mallet but just the temperament to know when to get a mallet.

Sigh. I wish I hadn’t seen that whack-a-mole game at the arcade. Now I just want see how good I can be…..