Beware The Backson Monster

December 21, 2011 — 19 Comments
Beware The Backson Monster | Joseph Lalonde
Monster

Image by stopthegears via Flickr

The newest Winnie The Pooh movie was released a few months ago. In it, Winnie The Pooh arrives at Christopher Robin’s house to find a note. The note read “Gon Out Bizy Back Soon.”

Winnie The Pooh could not read the letter so he brought it to Owl. Owl, thinking he was very wise, read the letter.

He came to the conclusion that Christoper Robin had been abducted by the Backson Monster. The Backson Monster is supposed to be a mischievous and ruthless monster.

The 100 Acre Wood gang decided they would trap the Backson Monster and free Christopher Robin from his evil grasp. Throughout the movie, they face many trials and tribulations trying to set the trap for the Backson Monster.

In the end, they found out Christopher Robin had not been kidnapped by the Backson Monster. Christopher had left the note to let the gang know he was busy and would be back soon.

“Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.”
– Unknown

I think we can all relate to this story.

You and I often fall into the same trap that Owl found himself in. We receive a message. We think we have correctly deciphered the message. We confidently go forward.  Only we have it all wrong. We have created our own Backson Monster.

Just like the 100 Acre Gang we set out to take care of the monster. We set traps, we recruit others to our team, and we lie in wait.

The only problem is, we imagined the problem and it is not reality. We have created a problem that does not exist.

What can you do to avoid situations like this? Here are three suggestions:

  • Ask Questions
    If you are unsure of what someone has said, approach them and ask them to clarify what they meant. This helps clear the air and opens up a direct line of communication. If there is any further confusion, ask more questions. Once you are satisfied and know what is expected, execute the task.
  • Examine The Situation
    Had Owl and the gang taken the time to examine the situation, they may have realized Christopher had left the note and was not in danger. He had the time to leave a note and explain where he was.
    In most situations, you can take the time to examine it. Find out what is going on and if there really is a problem.
    If there is a problem, take action. If there is no problem, no action is required.
  • Consult With An Adviser
    Consult with someone who is wiser and has more knowledge than you do. Tell your counsel the issue and ask them for their opinion. They may see the situation in a different light and guide you in the proper direction.

There will be times when you believe you know what is happening but you are incorrect. Your incorrect belief could lead you on a wild adventure much like the one in Winnie The Pooh.

Every situation has changed me as a person.
– David Beckham

The wild adventure may be fun but it often is painful. You can get hurt, hurt others, and destroy what you have bult.

You can avoid many of the headaches and troubles that come from the incorrect belief. Take time to ask questions, examine the situation, and consult with advisers.

Question: Have you ever had a Backson Monster moment? How did you correct the situation? Please share your answer in the comments section below.

 


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Joseph Lalonde

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  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    “Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.”
    – Unknown
    Love that quote- it is so true!!!

    I think we all have moments like that and looking back they can be very educational and very funny.

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      I agree TC. In fact, I just finished reading The Flinch and it talks about the education we get from acting even when we do not fully understand the situation. If you haven’t yet, you can get it free for the Kindle at http://amzn.to/sFWEEd

      • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

        I wonder if I can get it for my nook? I’ll have to check it out! Thanks!

        • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

          Got it on my blackberry, thanks

          • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

            Glad you were able to get it. I found it to be a great book that challenged the way I face situations.

  • http://twitter.com/croyseniles Christine Niles

    I’ve always been a big fan of WTP…when i was a little girl, my favorite aunt even called me Chris Robin. I LOVE how you’ve connected a whimsical childhood story to true wisdom and leadership.

    Brillant.

    • http://twitter.com/croyseniles Christine Niles

      And to answer the actual question…I encounter Backson Monster moments almost daily at work. Sometimes I’m the gang, and sometimes I’m the monster. Sometimes the pressure makes it hard to step back and ask the right questions, but I’ve learned it’s critial to actually solving the problem.

      I work with a great team, and we’re developing a rhythm where they can dig into reality–information, root cause analysis, and solution development, and I can provide the political cover and filter the noise so they can focus.

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Cute story Christine, or should I say Chris Robin?

  • http://sightregained.com Louis Tullo

    I know when it comes to these situations I usually have to take a step back and really look at the problem from a perspective that’s not so close. Often times emotions can get in the way of finding a solution to a problem and you have to set aside your feelings for a moment to determine how your actions will affect you and others around you. I usually try to take a deep breath, pray, look to the Bible for guidance, and/or seek advice from someone I trust. Depending on the complexity of the problem I can do those things quickly and sometimes it takes a little longer.

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Louis, those are great ways to process these types of situations. And you’re right, often our emotions get in the way and cause us troubles. Thanks for sharing the ways you deal with problems.

  • http://www.arnyslight.wordpress.com/ Arnyslight

    Great Analogy if I do say so my self Joe!

    Awesome!

    I’m not a big winnie the pooh fan…but i sure related to the story…i have backson monsters all the time regarding my kids…

    i think this way is better to dicsipline them…and then it turns out it’s not the best way…they aren’t getting it…and so on and so fourth…

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Thanks Arny! I appreciate your opinion.

      I don’t have children yet, but I can see how Backson Monsters could pop up while raising them. We have been inundated with fears regarding children and the dangers of the world. Yet those fears are rarely, if ever, realized.

      We just saw a Backson monster situation locally. It appears a person accidentally pushed another person’s shopping cart, only that the cart contained the person’s child. Police were called, he was made to be a monster, and it was plastered all over Facebook.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I think it’s crucial to give people the benefit of the doubt until you hear different. So often I hear things, and it’s easy to immediately assume the worst. That’s led to many problems :)

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Amen Loren. It may also be helpful to approach the person that is being talked about. Most of the time they will clear the air and you’ll get the proper picture.

  • http://chrisvonada.com chris vonada

    good stuff Joe! I have loved The Pooh Bear since I was a young lad. There is no monster we can’t handle when God is with us.

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Glad you liked it Chris. And you are right, with God we are able to handle anything.

  • Bmwbear129

    I think we often come into “Owl Situations” when we are judgmental or assume. Often we just think we know what people are up to or how they will react in certain situations. Asking for “direction” is not always an easy thing to do, but perhaps if we sought out direction more often we would be led down the right path. Good Post Joe!

    • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

      Thanks for the encouragement Brenda.

      You’re right, asking is not always easy. But I think it is a requirement in our lives. If we are unwilling to ask, we miss many of the things that could have been ours.

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