Is it worth getting...

People ask me all of the time...was it worth getting an MBA?  Did it help me get to where I am?  Should they get an MPH?  Should they do another residency? What fellowship should they do?

Sorry Folks...You Have It All Wrong.

Imagine you are walking into your workroom. You look around at the tools you have and then you ask one of these two questions:

What CAN I make with these tools?

Or you can ask...

What do I WANT to MAKE?  

The Tools Come Second

There are times when you ask the first question and make something that is based on the tools you have on hand.  There isn't anything wrong with that if your goal is to just do something.  But if you have something specific in mind, such as a need to make a shelf but you only have the tools to make a wooden kids toy, then how does that help you?  It doesn't.  

When you go to the tool store you don't go there with the focus of buying a tool because it looks cool, you are buying a tool to achieve an objective.  An objective, like drilling a hole or sawing some wood, because it is what you need to create the project you have in mind.  You buy the tool that performs the function you need.  A hammer to drive nails.  A drill to make holes.  You don't buy a saw to put in screws. 

This brings us back to the question, what is more...

Once I learn this, I will upgrade to something better.

When I need those functions, I will change to something that has them.

I will start with this because I can afford it.

What excuses do you have for using substandard tools?

It's not that the tool that you picked is bad, but perhaps you were not looking at the big picture.

The tool I am talking about here is mostly software, but it can apply to power tools, vacuum cleaners, hedge cutters or just about anything else.

When picking a tool that we need, we often use criteria that really doesn't support our long term use of the tool.  We look for inexpensive.  Easy to use.  But those criteria may not serve us well in the long run.

If we need to upgrade later, or if we need additional functions, then we have to start the whole process over again.  Time wasted on the second decision process. 

If we need to buy another product, the money from the first purchase would have offset part of the price of the second.

Time Is Money Too

Perhaps the biggest problem with buying something with the anticipation of upgrading later is this:  You have spent time and money two times to essentially buy a single solution.  Moreover, you are spending time learning two products, rather than spending all of that time on one product and becoming more expert at it.  

Buying Recommendation

If...

The Function Of Tools

What is a tool?  To me it's something that you can use to help make what you are doing:

• Possible
• Easier to make/create
• Better Quality

A tool can be just about anything.  A hammer.  A software program.  A checklist.  A system.  

Tools can also be used for functions that they were not designed for.  How many times have you used a butter knife as a screwdriver?  Maybe a pocket knife as a prybar.  A wordprocessor as a presentation program?  A credit card as a car window snow scraper?

Tools can be used and misused in a variety of ways we can only imagine.  

But in most cases, it is best to use a tool that was designed for the function we want to perform.  It's not optimal to drive a nail into wood with a travel coffee mug. It's silly to shovel snow with a serving spoon.  Both will work, but far from optimally.   

What tools do you use in your life?

Perhaps it's time to take an inventory of your tools and see if you have the right ones for the jobs that you are performing.

Could the wrong tools be holding you back from your best work?

If so...it's time to obtain and use the best tool(s) for the job(s) you do.

Are you on a quest to find your interests?

What do you want to see? What are you looking for? What is it that interests you?

Is it right in front of you?

Is it on the horizon?

Is it in the past?

Is it in the future?

Depending on what your interest is, use the right tool for the job.

If it's in front of you ... use your reading glasses or a microscope.

If it's on the horizon ... use a telescope or binoculars. 

If it's in the past ... find it in a museum or library.

If it's in the future ... break out your crystal ball or imagination.

Depending on where your interest lies, pick the right tool, otherwise, you won't find what you are looking for.