Let me share a joke—not the funniest you've ever heard, but one that carries a valuable lesson. It's a story about simplicity, humility, and the power of creative thinking in solving problems.

It goes like this: A man has suffered from severe headaches for most of his adult life. He's seen countless specialists, but no one can help him. When he finally sees a surgeon, the doctor determines that his testicles are putting pressure on his spine.

In desperation, the man agrees to have his testicles removed, and miraculously, his headaches vanish. Thrilled with his newfound freedom, he decides to buy a new wardrobe to celebrate. But when it comes to choosing underwear, he and the salesperson have a disagreement. Why? Because the salesperson insists that wearing small underwear would give him a terrible headache!

Now, let's unpack this joke a bit. 

It serves as a metaphor to emphasize the importance of seeking a second opinion and the principle of Occam's Razor—the simplest solution is often the correct one. It sets the stage for a real-life example that I encountered.

My Jewish Center had a unique problem crop up. This center is home to seven precious Torahs, each valued between $25,000 and $30,000. The heart of the synagogue is its Torah arc, a beautifully crafted wooden structure with sliding doors. Inside, there are two levels—one for the four lower Torahs and another for the three upper ones. The trouble is that when they place the lower Torahs in the arc, the upper ones tend to fall due to spacing issues.

The synagogue sought a solution, and they enlisted the help of an architect and an engineer from their congregation to devise a plan. Now, I've noticed that in many cases, involving people with specific skill sets can lead to overcomplicated solutions. Their proposal was ambitious and costly—tear out a section of the concrete wall, make the arc deeper, and reduce the size of a mechanical room, all for a whopping $15,000.

Now, here's where I come in. 

I'm the house chair of the congregation, and I decided to take a closer look at the problem. Instead of following the complicated plan, I proposed a simple and elegant solution: crafting a sculptural piece of wood to hold the Torahs in place. Three tiny but strong magnets would hold this unassuming piece of wood in place after careful carving and staining.

The beauty of my solution lies in its simplicity and respect for tradition. While other suggestions involved leather straps or chains, my idea preserved the dignity of the Torahs and received the approval of the rabbi, the president, and the congregation's older members.

The moral of this story is clear: we often overcomplicate problems when simpler solutions are within reach. Our cognitive biases and the desire to leverage our expertise can lead us down convoluted paths. It's essential to step back and consider if there's a straightforward approach that can achieve the desired outcome.

In a world where innovation and complexity often reign supreme, my tale serves as a reminder that humility, creativity, and a willingness to explore the simplest solutions can lead to elegant and effective results. 

My seven-dollar solution to a $15,000 problem is a delightful reminder that sometimes less is more. Stay curious and open-minded, and you might be surprised at the ingenious, yet straightforward, solutions you can discover.

One week later...

Well, I'm thrilled to report that this solution worked like a charm. I just installed it a few minutes ago, and everyone loved it. It's visually appealing, and functional, and it costs only a fraction of the initial budget. It's a perfect example of how sometimes, a simpler solution is the answer.

Text Messages vs. Effective Communication

On a different note, I've also been facing some communication challenges in my role as the vice president of Spirit Week for the middle school's PTA/PTO. The president is passionate and committed, but we've been handling everything through text messages, including graphic design and project management tasks.

I've tried to introduce more efficient communication tools like Voxer and Trello, but she keeps defaulting to text messages. It's a scenario where I'm cautiously waiting for things to potentially blow up before stepping in to help find a more organized solution. It's both amusing and instructive to watch how communication methods can affect the effectiveness of a team.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on how these situations develop and any insights that come from them. In the meantime, let's all strive to find elegant and straightforward solutions to life's challenges and keep learning from the unexpected twists and turns that come our way.

News from Princeton Kaizen

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This Month’s Cool Reads and Finds

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Magic Notes - Quizlet's Crazy New Study Aid

Make it an effective day.