Preventing Mistakes Using ‘Moron Proofing’ – MAILBAG

In this edition of the PYP mailbag, I will answer some common reader questions regarding ‘moron proofing’.

A ‘moron proofing’ idea is one that is used for preventing mistakes or mishaps from happening.  In business it is known as ‘mistake proofing’ or ‘Poka Yoke’.

We are not calling you morons for using it (well perhaps some of you are, we are sometimes too, no judging we are just here to help), we are just saying that by ‘moron proofing’ you are coming up with an idea that would prevent even a moron from making that mistake.

“But there are different levels of moronic behavior” you might say….

Touché!

Well lucky for you, there just happens to be three different types of moron proofing levels for preventing mistakes:

‘Supreme Moron Level’ – This type of ‘moron proofing’ lets you know right away that an error has happened and either automatically fixes it or stops it from happening. For example, not being able to drive your car while it is still in park.  Even a “Supreme Moron” couldn’t mess this up!

‘Moderate Moron Level’ – This type of error lets you know an error has happened, but you need to do something to correct it. For example, the car beeps to let you know your keys are still in the ignition.  Even your average “Moderate Moron” would know to take the keys out of the ignition.

‘Self-Sufficient Moron Level’ – This type of ‘moron proofing’ relies on low levels of moron-ness as it really relies on you to both realize you have made a mistake and then to correct it yourself, so it will only work on your average ‘Self-Sufficient” moron.  For example, the ‘D’ on the gearshift to let you know when you are in ‘Drive’, it helps you not go into Reverse by mistake when you want to go forward, but it relies on you to both recognize you have gone into reverse and then correct it by hitting the brakes and going forward.

Let’s move on to the PYP mailbag where I will answer some reader questions regarding how they can use moron proofing in their lives:

I need to potty train my kid without getting pee all over the damn place.  Any ideas?

-Brian from Pee Pee Township, Ohio

RM response: Yes, put a cheerio in the toilet and watch the little bugger turn into a urinating sharpshooter!

I always forget to pay my landline phone bill on time, any suggestions?

-Billy from Wankers Corners, Oregon

RM response:   Wow, people still have landlines these days? Automate your payments so they are automatically paid monthly with no effort required on your part!

That worked, thanks!  But sometimes I forget to transfer funds to my checking account and there aren’t enough funds and the payments don’t go through.  Any ideas?

-Billy from Wankers Corners, Oregon

RM response:  You can moron proof it by getting low balance email alerts from your bank. Ok, no more questions from you Billy.

So, I have a “friend”, let’s just call him “Willie” who says he isn’t receiving the low balance email alerts from his bank.  The bank swears they are being sent out.  Please help!

-Willie from Wankers Corners, Oregon

RM response:  Hmmm, wait just a minute, is this Billy?  Anyway, “Willie” you aren’t receiving the email alerts because they go to junk mail – go into your email account and add to your safe senders list.

I’m always forgetting my phone, keys or wallet, or all three, what do I do?

-Betsy from Climax, New York

RM response:  Get in the habit of saying PKW (‘phone, keys, wallet’) before you leave home so you don’t leave one or all of them.  Also, put them in the same place every time.  Don’t feel bad, forgetting your keys and wallet are two of the most common things forgotten by people.

I heard on the radio yesterday that it was supposed to rain today, but I still forgot my umbrella…

-Michael from Bluit, New Mexico

RM response:  Looks like you blew it.  Next time put it in your bag as soon as you hear it is going to rain.

I always forget to take the trash out before going to work, any ideas?

-Joshua from Ding Dong, Texas

RM response:  Put it in front of the door next time, so that way you have no choice but to remember to take it out before you go to work.

I remembered to take out the trash, but I locked myself out of my condo (the door locks automatically when closed) the other day when putting the trash down the trash chute:

-Joshua from Ding Dong, Texas

RM response:  Been there, done that, have damn the locksmith bill to prove it.  Activate the dead bolt so it stays open.  That’s what I do.

My husband always forgets to get the milk on the way home.  Any thoughts?

-Sally from Nags Head, North Carolina

RM response:  Find a less forgetful husband, or put an empty milk jug in the passenger seat to remind him.

I can never remember which room I left my reading glasses in.  Any tricks or moron proof strategies.

-Steven from Woods Hole, Massachusetts

RM response:  Get Lasik or buy extra pairs and keep one in each room you read in and leave them there

‘Wait, what floor did I park on?’  This is a question I ask myself every time I go to the mall…Help!

-Harry from Cumming, Iowa

RM response:  Either take a pic of the floor number by the elevator or text yourself the floor number.  Or shop online!

I’m getting older (I’m 103) and have a hard time putting on a rubber before I have sex with my wife in our dark bedroom.  Any thoughts?

-Charles from Penistone, UK

RM response:  My thoughts…good for you for still practicing safe sex at 103, even better that you are still getting it at that age.  As for your particular problem, glow in the dark condoms mate!

Use It or Lose It!

To utilize Moron Proofing for preventing mistakes:

  Think about mistakes that you make over-and-over again, then be creative and see if you can figure out a way to either automate them so you don’t need to do anything or figure out a way to alert youself – so you don’t forget and can take action.

When to Use Moron Proofing for Preventing Mistakes

  When you make the same mistakes or errors repeatedly

  When you forget to do stuff

  When the consequences of the error are expensive or harmful (like forgetting your kids birthday)

Discuss

  When have you used moron proofing for preventing mistakes in your life successfully?

Thanks for reading and until next time, remember…Prime Your Pump!
– Rick

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P.P.S.  Have you seen Howie’s video advice called ‘Get Me the Details’?  If not, click here, it’s both entertaining and actionable.

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