don't just do something, stand there

what happens when people around you are doing things poorly

Today, I helped someone do it wrong.

They clearly don’t work with their hands often.

They’re not used to tools

And?

They were clear on what they wanted to do.

They were clear on how they were going to do it.

Only problem?

Their plan matched their knowledge

And their skills with tools.

So, I could have helped.

I could have stepped up and offered suggestions.

I could have offered corrections.

There were better, more efficient, longer lasting, easier ways to fix this issue.

And?

I wasn’t asked.

Nor was I necessary.

I could have done it way better.

Instead?

I let him struggle.

His clothes got muddy.

His knuckles bloodied from slipping tools in unskilled hands.

I held things in place for him.

His attempts to connect them were in vain.

We did this dance for the better part of an hour.

The whole time, he was coming up with new, odd solutions.

He had plans to go to the hardware store.

… and if THAT doesn’t work, I can always…

I heard him trailing off as I left him with his project.

He’s probably still working on it rig…