Why do we turn a simple Task into a complicated ordeal?

SPC Eddie "Nemo" Aiumu — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:36:30 -0500

Gregg Popovich was once asked a question by a Reporter several years ago about his Spurs horrible play.
-Reporter: Where did you want the ball?
-Coach Pop: In the hole, you know the basket.

Sometimes we make the easiest tasks very complicated. Instead of just from A to B we find ourselves circling near Z just to get to B. If its simple, keep it that way.

Feel free to add on. Thanks Ed.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 1:14 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 01:14:00 -0500

The search for perfection. I have had to learn when good is OK. I still have many OCD things I deal with on a daily basis. I have to take three towels from the paper dispenser in a public restroom, I have to turn the coffee sleeve on my starbucks drink to the left, and the list goes on and on. I never want to be seen as anything less than the best. When I touch it and my name is attached to it...than it must be the best.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 1:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 01:47:32 -0500

I have learned that most make a simple task into a complicated ordeal to please the person given the task. When in reality they want it to be just as simple as it was directed to be.

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Feb 28 at 2016 2:18 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 02:18:06 -0500

As a musician, we are taught to analyze everything we do to achieve that perfect performance. This causes us to over-analyze almost everything. So when you ask most musicians a yes or no question, they will think about it and give you a doctoral dissertation for an answer. It was really bad on the standardized tests for Military Basic Skills. Quite often, they would find that 2 answers were correct, and they would lock up. We had to tell them to choose the answer that was "most right." For the most part, I have learned to turn this off, but sometimes I don't. My wife is there to "bring me back down to Earth."

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 2:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 02:21:13 -0500

SPC Eddie "Nemo" Aiumu How many learned the KISS acronym? Keep It Simple Soldier (or insert other variations).

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 2:25 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 02:25:16 -0500

It wouldn't be the federal government otherwise!!!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 3:28 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 03:28:12 -0500

It is about power, and it is not about solving the "issue". :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 9:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 09:10:56 -0500

Because f--- you, that's why.

Do you need to take a truck to get fueled?
1) Go find a driver because even though you've been in the Army ten years, your license expires with every new commander.
2) Find the Motor SGT to get a dispatch. He'll likely be found drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes somewhere.
3) Acquire the fuel card. Good luck with that.
4) Ensure all personnel in vehicle have proper PPE.
5) As you're about to leave, some LT will "remind" you that all military VICs will need a trip ticket and CRM.
6) Wait for CO to be available to sign off on it all.
7) Ask yourself why you reenlisted.
8) Fuel Trucks.

Response by SSG Drew Cook made Feb 28 at 2016 9:31 AM

SSG Drew Cook — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 09:31:49 -0500

When I was married, I used to fold towels a lot differently than my wife. She used to give me hell because of it- in her mind, I was doing it the "hard way", which was simply just different from her. When she tried to teach this dumb soldier how to do it her way, it became tougher for me because it was much different than how I had been doing it. My way was the hard way for her, and the easy way for me.

I know, it's friggin' towels. And we ain't married anymore.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 11:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 11:00:39 -0500

Let's have a rehearsal meeting, where we refine the slide deck, to prepare for the decision brief where the commander will decide to go left or right...

Sometimes we do it when it seems to not matter just to exercise and prepare to do it under pressure and duress when it counts.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 11:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 11:06:11 -0500

Chances are the task did start simple enough. A task is given at higher levels. By the time it filters down to the lowest level(end user) each level in between adds their 2 cents. So your 2 cent tasking is now a $1.50 tasking, and the end user is looking for change.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 28 at 2016 11:47 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 11:47:07 -0500

The First one ALWAYS leads into the second one...it'll never change.