Less workarounds for 2011 and £1.14 well spent

Lately I have noticed a trend. An “issue” I have been working around for months (or sometimes years) can actually be solved really easily and often very cheaply – if I just pause for a few seconds to think about a permanent fix. Obvious really, yet my life is full of (rather pleasing) workarounds. The  problem is I enjoy workarounds, actually I enjoy workarounds a lot – they give me a buzz as they are often very inventive, require lateral thinking and the end result can appear rather clever to observers. But ultimately they are often fragile or “expensive” in the longer term.

Todays was a good example. My family has lived with a “networking limitation” for around 9 months – but I had a workaround in place which was good enough to keep the family happy.

Today I fixed it permanently for just £1.14 with one of these purchased from ebay:

It made me pause to think again about my “unhealthy love” of workarounds. I think it is time I changed. Which means my New Years Resolution has been decided for me on November 30th!

“To favour permanent fixes over workarounds”

For me this resolution spans my home life, my personal well being and my work life.

Wonder if I can make it stick? If I can’t then I’m sure I’ll find a workaround for it