Joseph Heagney (2016) argues that defining the problem is often the most important and overlooked part of a the work of a team, group, or organization. Teams often jump into naming the solution or not going far enough in their definition of the problem. Heagney poses the situation of someone's car breaking down.
A solution minded approach is that you overlook what the problem really is, and just jump to the solution, to fixing it, potentially neglecting underlying and undiagnosed conditions.
A shallow definition of the problem is that the car is broken down. This, though, is not necessarily the problem.
Heagney states that in digging deeper into the situation, the problem arises when the car is broken down AND you have somewhere to which you need to get by car.
This clearer statement of the problem can then lead to actionable solutions: walking, riding a bike, taking a bus, Uber, calling a tow truck to get it fixed.
Being aware of the situation - our car is broken down - is important. However, a deeper definition of what makes this a problem can lead to the right solution and the steps to get there.
To make what might be a stretch of a connection to the first and second weeks of Advent, it is great that we wake up and become aware of our need for a Savior in Jesus Christ. This is important. Hearing a grinding noise, feeling rattling, seeing smoke - these are all important things to notice to know that your car isn't functioning properly.
But, noticing these things doesn't mean that you will actually do anything about them.
Many people saw Jesus - witnessed His miracles, listened to His preaching, knew Him personally, and acknowledged there was something special about Him - but failed to take the next steps to actually do anything about this awareness.
From the rich young man who goes away sad after being told to sell all of his possessions and then follow Jesus (Mt. 19:16–30; Mk. 10:17–3; Lk. 18:18–30), to the disciples that grumble and walk away from the Bread of Life discourse (John 6), to Judas (John 13:29) and Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-40) there are many examples of people who were aware of the situation of Jesus, but unwilling to take the next steps to do anything about it.
This week, let's turn our alert and oriented states into action.
Our messages this week focus on preparation (12/5, 12/9, 12/10, and 12/11), and finding a way to encounter and bring others to Christ (12/6 and 12/7). From St. John the Baptist's messages (12/5, 12/9, 12/10 and 12/11), to St. Nicholas's (12/6) social justice efforts, to St. Ambrose's (12/7) preaching and prophesying that converted St. Augustine and Emperor Theodosius, to Juan Diego's (12/9) humble service to Our Lady of Guadalupe, to the Immaculate Conception's (12/8) fiat to bring Christ into the world, the cloud of witnesses whose feasts we celebrate this week demonstrate discipleship in action.
May any inspiration we find in these scriptures and stories spur us to imitation and ignition.
This Advent, the Holy Spirit is prompting you to wake up. Through the sights and sounds of the season, He is striving to get your attention.
He has placed some definite action on your heart and is leading you to more faithfully live out your call to follow Christ: read the daily Scripture; learn more about the saints celebrated throughout Advent; devote time to praying the Rosary; participate in reconciliation, the Eucharist, Adoration; spend less money on gifts and invest more time on relationships; connect with the lost and lonely; heal past hurts; forgive as we would like to be forgiven; turn off your phone, your device, your computer, your TV, and/or the lights to get more sleep; turn on sacred silence and take time in solitude; listen; pray.
You're awake.
Don't stay where you are.
Rise up. Take up your mat - whatever action you're being called to embrace.
And go!
*In the spirit of last week's post, here is a soundtrack for Advent's Week 2. There are a few traditional hymns and carols this time around with some others that fit more with the scripture and saints. I hope they help you to rise up, take up your mat, and go: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LhYy6ArZtpaqySboxpXms?si=fa0cf831c6984d3f.
Reference:
Heagney, Joseph. (2016). Fundamentals of Project Management (5th Edition). New York:
AMACOM – Book Division of American Management Association.
