Problems that Solve Themselves

Your previous conversation with Maria (pronounced Mario with an A at the end) went so well you decided to ask her advice on something else.  You walk down the hall and find her typing away in her office.

You, "Maria, mind if I ask you something?"

Maria, "Fire away."

You, "I got this little problem with the trashcan in the hallway.  Everybody throws their food trash in it, and it stinks.  My office is right across from it, so therefore my office stinks.   Mr. Beasley is supposed to empty it every night, but he forgets.  If he emptied it every night, it probably wouldn't be an issue.  I've tried reminding him, but it's a lost cause."

Maria, "Ah yes, a classic pain alignment issue."

You, "No, wait, nobody is in pain, I think you heard me wrong."

Maria, "Not true.  First, you are in pain and second, I didn't hear you wrong, you just don't understand the concept of pain alignment.  The concept is that when there is a problem, the person who feels the pain of the problem needs to be the one that can fix the problem."

You, "Ok I think I'm getting it."

Maria, "The problem here is that the food stinks, and the one feeling the pain is you.  Mr. Beasley is the one who can fix it, but he feels no pain from the issue.  The only sort of pain he feels is you bugging him, but that is after the fact and you and trying to "spread the pain", not realign it.  If Mr. Beasley had your office, it wouldn't be an issue.   When the trash stunk, it would affect him immediately, he'd probably just start taking the trash out every night."

You, "Ok, so what do I do?"

Maria, "Well now you know the problem, and what needs to be done to fix it.  You need to align the pain directly to Mr. Beasley and not be in the middle.  Then it will fix itself."

You, "But how do I do that?"

Maria, "Easier said than done of course.  I'm not sure there is an easy solution here.  I would move the trashcan in front of Mr. Beasley's office.  If it moves back to you, move it back to him.  Make it a habit every day when you come in.  If the Trash isn't in front of his office, put it there, then proceed to work.  Unfortunately, if he or others keep moving the trash can, then you're involved each morning.  It's not perfect, but I'd assume after a week or two of dealing with it, he will just start taking out the trash each night as a habit.  The best solutions realign the pain, and you are not involved.    This is the best I could think of."

You, "I think it's a good idea.  Align the pain of the situation to him and he can fix it."

Maria, "Exactly."