What to do with noisy windchimes
If you are familiar with windchimes, then you know that a key feature is the sound they create. You may also know that they only create sound when a specific condition, the wind blowing through them, is met. When that condition isn’t met, the windchime just hangs out of the way, going unnoticed except when the person who hung it asks random people what they think of the windchime.
So what
A windchime problem is a term I use to describe a problem in business or life that creates a lot of noise, but only under certain conditions. These types of problems aren’t typically strategically prioritized because they only occur under very specific conditions or when someone who cares about them influences others to pay attention.
Windchime problems are things like a report that takes too long to run but only needs to run occasionally, or a broken process that is rarely used, or a relationship that causes drama. Still, you only see the person on a few occasions each year.
These types of problems are dormant most of the time, but when activated under the right circumstances, they create a lot of noise. Those who find the noise most annoying are stirred with a deep desire to shut it off (solve the problem), even trying to rally others to pay attention to it too.
This happens because we all have an intense desire to shut off the noise problems create. This desire exists because our minds and bodies react to problems in the same way regardless of their size or their importance. We view all problems as things to be solved (or avoided) so that our peace and comfort can be restored. People’s first instinct is rarely just to sit there and listen to the noise created by problems.
But giving attention to all the noisy wind chimes is actually a sign of immaturity.
What to do instead of solving windchime problems
Instead of wasting time trying to quiet the windchime, you could consider learning to ignore it. When it makes noise, ask yourself if the noise is a sign of a bigger problem like tornado/hurricane force winds headed your way or if it’s making noise because the structure it is attached to is falling down? But when there is no more significant problem, learn to ignore the noise.
Ignoring windchime problems is a more mature approach because when you allow yourself to attack all your problems with the same level of attention, energy, and resources, you will waste lots of all three. You will waste your precious resources solving minimally disruptive problems, will produce minimal value when solved, or will soon go dormant again on their own.
Ignoring windchime problems may be counterculture or sound harsh, but embracing this approach is the wisest path. Here is why.
Problems are constant and everywhere; you will never solve all the problems
You have limited time, attention, and resources
Since there are almost always more problems than resources available to solve them, part of your job is to effectively manage your time, attention, and resources
You are effectively managing these things when they are devoted to solving the most impactful problems
True success isn’t based on the number of problems you solve but on the impact/value you create when solving problems.
Be honest; if you had to choose between solving one problem valued at $10MM or 100 problems with a combined value of $1MM, what would you do with your resources?
Conclusion
You don’t need to solve every problem you encounter, which is good because you literally can’t. Your resources have limits, so you must learn how to manage them wisely, and sometimes that means ignoring the windchime. The decision to live with the occasional noise it creates is more responsible than devoting resources to quieting something when there are minimal returns on creating the silence.
Learn to focus your time, money, and attention on solving problems with significant returns on investment. Focus on solving big problems while you apologize and show empathy to the folks who aren’t enjoying the noise the windchime makes. Remember, you can empathize without silencing the noise.