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Avoiding The Law Of Unintended Consequences
Some basic techniques we can apply to minimize the unintended problems:
- Apply non-action: Not acting out the impulsive reaction that we think will solve a problem is often the simplest way to let it subside.
- Think of the risks: What feels right is often not so. Take the worst-case scenario into account.
- The opposite effect: Understand that regulating or focusing on eradicating something can even lead to its proliferation.
- The undo button: Permanent decisions that can’t be undone are the worst offenders. If you have to make a decision, make something that can be corrected.
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There are many situations and disastrous circumstances where impulsive and emotional solutions are applied, which apparently solve the problem but unintentionally create new problems or collateral damage that may be worse. This is known as The Law Of Unintended Consequences.
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- We play it safe and do not want to take the time and investigate the root cause of a problem.
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