A Problem that needs fixing – quickly

Necessity is the mother of all invention.

I spent a lot of time finding a gym membership for my son. He really wanted to start going to the gym, but it was hard finding somewhere that he could get to, that had under 16 year unaccompanied option. I found one that had a once a month option, wasn’t too expensive, was on a bus route he could go from school. Sorted out an induction. After a couple of months he wants to go on a more expensive unlimited plan. Fair enough, he has got used to getting there, finding the time and motivation.

This week, he had work experience, Monday – Friday 0900 – 1700. The junior membership means he has to use the gym after 0900 and before 1700 so he couldn’t go all week.

Friday evening, “Dad, do you want to go to the gym tomorrow?”. I had planned to go for a run, so said no, but I would take him. I had left some paperwork, so I needed to pick this up from 10 minutes the other side of the gym. I thought, I can find a route to run so I can run from the gym whilst my son is working out. The dog was desperate to come out, so I took the dog. I had to program a route into my watch so I didn’t get lost and had a suitable path.

Great, everything came together, I got my paperwork, my son went to the gym for 2 hours. I went on a lovely run, the dog got her exercise. I worked out how to use a function on my watch I had not used before. My wife offered to do the supermarket shopping. My son offered to wash the dog! I cooked a lovely steak dinner followed by chocolate brownie and salted caramel ice cream.

The point being, that when we have a problem that we need to fix – quickly – we can become more creative, more productive and have a greater sense of achievement.