Tuning in

Whatever job we're doing, whether in a large organisation or small, one simple practice illustrates the gist of Working with Wisdom.

Say, for example, you're undertaking a minor household repair or bit of DIY. Here's how NOT to do it: something that happened to me a few years ago:

Having had some carpet replaced I was fixing the metal strip to hold it in place in a doorway. Power-drill with masonry bit to get through the concrete floor: no problem.

First couple of holes drilled, raw-plugs fitted. Third hole started then . . . HISS - S- S- SS!
I'd only drilled though a gas pipe!

Job suspended, gas turned off at mains, Gas Emergency team called.

Gas pipe eventually plugged and its course carefully plotted before continuing the job.

If only . . .

If only I'd taken a few minutes to really look at and tune-into the job before I started.

There's many levels of tuning in, each worth spending some time on:

1. Before you do anything, look around: notice, for example, where gas meter, appliances and any fittings may be: they have to be connected by pipes, which are probably buried under or within the floor.

2. Take your time and check all is well before starting any irreversible operations such as drilling: is the cat likely to pounce and make you jump?

3. Take an extra moment to tune in and allow your 6th sense to kick-in, if it needs to. One moment of intuitive warning can prevent many hours of hassle . . .

Yes, it's all common sense. But are not common sense and wisdom very similar? Both are about not making assumptions, both are about being aware . . .  and tuned in.