I work in a 35-storey building that hosts more than 100 offices. The building has three floors of parking with over 300 spaces. Each ...
I work in a 35-storey building that hosts more than 100 offices. The building has three floors of parking with over 300 spaces. Each office is allocated specific spots, managed through entry access cards.
Recently, many people have been ignoring their assigned slots, parking instead near the exit for convenience. As a result, employees returning to their designated spaces often find them occupied.
Curious, I asked the security guard:
“Why is this happening so often?”
He sighed: “Sir, what can I do? Every day, 10 to 15 people park in the wrong place.”
“And how do you control these violators?”
“I place a paper notice on their windshield so they’ll stop. But they keep repeating.”
I pointed out:
“With so many violations, you spend too much time listening to complaints, moving between floors, placing notices, and arranging temporary parking. This not only causes stress but also distracts you from your primary duty—ensuring security.”
The guard replied: “Sir, resolving parking problems is also part of my job. What else can I do?”
That’s when I explained:
“In life, there are two ways to handle problems. One is to fix them after they occur—that’s what you’ve been doing. The other, more powerful way, is to prevent them from happening in the first place.”
Later, I suggested that building management circulate a notice: any parking violation would now incur a fine of 300 AED. Employees were informed, and the policy was enforced. Since then, the guard has been a much happier man.
Flash Insight:
Often, we think we’re “fixing” problems, but fixing still consumes time, energy, and resources. True efficiency comes from prevention—understanding the root cause early, applying proactive measures, and enforcing the right policies and procedures. Prevent problems before they arise, and happiness will naturally follow.
