lawn mower works you'd be far better off trying to
visualize what was wrong with it.
I remember being stuck way up in the Scottish high-
lands at about four o'clock one freezing cold morning.
My partner was verbalizing the problem (I can't even
repeat what he said, for fear of being struck down, but it
was definitely something to do with brass monkeys!)
What I did was sit in the auto (freezing cold, wouldn't
start, no heater) and I visualized all the components that
could have possibly gone wrong or broken. I came up
with the idea that it was a loose ignition wire. I also
knew it was freezing cold outside and we didn't have a
flash light. I visualized getting a spare length of wire
and a bulb and connecting this to the battery and
making myself up a little extension light.
I got out of the auto, proceeded to get my length
of wire and bulb, made up my extension light (all in
the pitch black), lit up the engine, found the loose
wire, reconnected it, slammed down the hood and
drove off. My colleague called me a genius, which
pleased me no end, he happened to be a leading
figure in MENSA.
What do you call "Going through hoops of fire!"
I'm glad you picked up on that one! This is the
term that I use for getting past the point where we
normally self-destruct. Now that you know all about
your failure programs I hope you will be on the look-
out for the 'failure mode.'
In future you should be very aware that when it
comes up to deal closing time, you are going to do
the 'right thing' not the' wrong thing.' The 'hoop of
fire' is when you can sense the point where you
would normally blow the deal or self-destruct and
keep right on going and say "Yes!" instead of no or
"No!" instead of yes.