DAY

36

“A few observations and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning lead to truth.”

 — Alexis Carrel

Julie managed fifteen employees in a house cleaning service. She was walking by the window of her office and stopped to observe some of her employees loading a van to start the day. Angela was talking on her cell phone and pacing back and forth while the other employees loaded vacuums and mops and other equipment into the back of the van.

Julie shook her head and flicked her pen against her crossed arms. Obviously, Angela was not pulling her weight. Just yesterday she left a job early. Julie made a mental note to pull Angela aside at the end of the day and give her a final warning or she would have to find another job.

Did Julie make the right decision? How many observations did she use to come to her conclusion? The answer is two. Is that enough? Why didn’t Julie go outside and ask Angela about her phone call? Is there a reason she didn’t go directly to the source? Did she ask Angela or any of the other employees why she left early the day before? Should she have done so?

How many observations do you collect before you make a decision? The more observations you can assemble, the more accurate your picture. Your task today is to count the number of observations you gather before making a conclusion. Count them; write them down in your notebook; and work to increase the number throughout the day. More observing and less contemplating will get you closer to the truth.

DAY