:: w3|h@n ::

The Five-Why Process was introduced at Toyota to find solutions to manufacturing problems, but this approach can be applied to any other area as well. Ask Why is this problem happening to discover its underlying problem; then ask Why again to go deeper by another level until you reach the root cause. Asking why repeatedly, possibly more than five times, directs the focus toward real causes so problems can be solved permanently We are indeed the professional problems solver. Yes, we are.

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get promoted, have a house, then car. We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are. After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes said, For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, Something to be gotten through first, some unfinished busines...