Good Morning, World!  It’s Friday!

I’ll call it the consultants mantra:  “There is no bigger fool than one who pays for advice and doesn’t take it.”

If you find yourself in need of answers and they aren’t readily available on google or ask or [pick your favorite search engine] you end up looking for a subject matter expert.  Often referred to as an advisor or consultant, they require remuneration for their services.

So, you get stumped, you break down and pay someone to solve a problem for you – you get a third party, unbiased perspective with years of experience helping others through the complexities that stumped you and…you don’t like the answer!

It may represent:
*conflict
*additional expense
*abandoning an expensive pursuit
but most likely it’s some form of discomfort. Now what?
-Seek another opinion?
-Fulfill the prediction of the phrase?
-Demonstrate the courage to follow through with what you started?

I’ve run into countless occasions where answers were only as good as the questions asked. To avoid the “fool” label, take more time formulating the question, problem or concern to the point it is easily understood and the answer, once crafted, can be widely accepted.

Abraham Lincoln said, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my axe.”
Preparation before solution implementation should be taken seriously and given appropriate time and attention.

Recommendation:
Gather your thoughts
Formulate your question, then simplify it
Research solution providers
Engage the most qualified (and likable) with similar values
Implement the recommended solution(s)

Have a blessed weekend.