O Coelho da Botella

 

On my first assignment in Brazil almost four years ago, a considered coleague tried to explained to me in "portunhol" what a coelho da botella was.  After a long walk in Vitória’s beach in Espirito Santo, and quite among of laughs, I finally understood he was trying to translate what a "gargalo" (bottleneck) was.

Every time I think of bottlenecks and constrains, I can’t avoid remembering that story.  And lately, I’ve been dealing with constrains a lot, in personal and professional life. 

People often forget the first rule when discussing constrains: the constrain is either mental of physical.  

As an engineer and fully proved left hemisphere brain character, it is hard to believe I came to this conclusion so recently.  But it is true.  Good vibe does not cure cancer; maximum capacity in a machine often means the most amount of goods the unit can produce in a period of time; two objects can’t and won’t occupy the same space at the same time.  Yes, a good vibe with a loving environment and a positive attitude can increase someone’s immunological response to fight a disease.  Yes, a committed and integrated factory team can come up with great ideas to a better and more efficient production plan, dramatically increasing the total production throughput; but lets face it, a machine made for 100 cases/hour, will not produce more than 95 in the best case scenario.  10k square meters will not storage 15k square meters of merchandise, or will, if levitating is an option. 

It is frustrating how some people can’t see the difference.  That is why I think I don’t like shelf-help books. Is it honest when they tell you a 3 people team can do a 10 people job?  how many hours can a person work before one literally brakes down? Ok, not literally, but figuratively speaking:  family, health, social and even performance issues?

On the other hand, our mental constrains, I agree we can and should fight.  Must of them, and please do not take my word for granted on this since I am not an expert, probably come from bad experiences in the past, or ignorance of the outcomes and consequences of an action.  

Fears must be tackle, otherwise we won’t be able to move forward.  Challenge is always welcome, since it makes us re-think things and work around.  

I do fear changes; must humans do.  It is natural to want to stay put for at least a little while, to take a deep breath and recharge to start it all over again.  I do fear some tasks are bigger that I can handle.  Normal too; that is why procrastination was invented and has successfully survive all this years hahahahaha.

Mental constrains are there also in hour personal lives.  Lots of women, specially in Latin America, had face the High Heel Predicament once in their lives:  short cute guy vs. princess look in high heels.  When he e is the one with the mental constrain:  can’t and won’t date a higher women, so she is stuck with the little girl flats.  Or she is the one with the mental constrain: flats make her look chubby and she does not party with less than 8cm high shoes.  One way to see it:  date a taller guy! Or better way:  overcome the stupid mental block, wear the heels and lean a little to kiss him.  At the end, he won’t regret dating a hot confident taller girl.  But, keep in mind: he will not grow, no matter how hard you want and how focus you mediate on it. 

It is what it is.  Physical constrains are there and lots of them can’t be overcome with a simple state of mind.  It is stupid to keep walking barehanded into the wall and hit yourself in the face over and over again.  Buy a war tank, get a crew of handymen with heavy hammers, whatever! But stop pretending faith and will can brake all walls.  Physical barriers need strategies, resources, often team work, and so on.  Stand up for your self when someone tells you different.  There is a limited on what a person can give or do.  Make a strong smart plans to strangle the real bottlenecks, and while on them, focus on your own mental constrains and bit them, one day at the time.  It will make your life lighter, funnier and richer.