Repair and Replace

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Repair and Replace 

An Election Process

Research shows that when faced with a need to Repair or Replace some thing, e.g. vehicles, appliances, things we depend on etc., the bulk of us will elect to repair it. Yet a substantial number of us ultimately elect to replace them. Admittedly that could have something to do with the fact, that it has been determined that, repairing it is too expensive and by spending just a little more we would have a guarantee and a newer, more powerful item with an extended life.

Replacement, due to the nature of the item in question frequently hinges upon our everyday reliance upon it. So many of us are so thoroughly engrossed in today’s technologies, we couldn’t imagine what life would be like without them. Cell phones and their unbelievable technologies that accompany us everywhere, allowing texting, internet access, apps, music, videos and photos are no doubt playing a significant role in our lives today.

Repair and Replace

Subjects of Influence

What I find so challenging is that we don’t tend to value our own true potential in such a manner that would maximize its impact on our lives. Here’s where we could employ both Repair and Replace in our thinking processes to their maximum benefit. Our approach to thinking has certainly been influenced, by those involved in our upbringing, such as our parents, teachers, organizations, religions, co-workers, managers etc. In some cases, that has been positive and in others, not so.

Experiences related to such influences may have resulted in abandonment or modification of such thinking, nevertheless even from those perspectives, they very likely still have an impact upon us. Repair and Replace doesn’t mean you necessarily abandon one or the other, but rather to identify and update your needs, wants and desires. By doing so, you can now look at life from a “what”, “why”, “when”, “where” approach and understand your true potential.

Understanding it however is not enough. You must develop a potential outcome, plan to execute it and commit to acting upon it, until it has been achieved. It doesn’t end there either, for change being the nature of life, as you progress forward towards your intention, such change, will also impact your goals and desires. With proper modification you can develop even more.

If you elect not to embrace the Repair and Replace approach, that’s completely up to you. However please keep in mind, it is not going to do you one ounce of good, to criticize or blame anyone else for what you have learned or experienced in life. We all face the same challenge in life, admittedly from different perspectives, but also with unique and personal outcomes.

Repair and Replace – Increasing Its Value

So where do you go from here? Elect to study and learn more about Repair and Replace so you fully understand it. Whether you may think so or not, Repair and Replace can be shared with others, which if done without criticism or denial of what each of you may believe or understand, can result in a healthy, advanced approach.

Here’s what David Kelley teaches people. ”The big thing about design thinking is it allows people to build on the ideas of others. Instead of just having that one thread, you think about it, I come up with an idea, and then somebody from somewhere else says, “Oh that makes me think we should do this and then we could do that.” And then you get to a place that you just can’t get to in one mind.”

David Kelley is the founder of the Silicon Valley global design firm IDEO. His company has created thousands of breakthrough inventions.