Rule 51. Throwing Money at a Problem Doesn’t Always Work

Years ago when I worked in one particular industry, whenever something was going wrong, my boss would always sigh and suggest throwing money at the problem until it went away. At work this approach often works wonders, but problems in life tend to need a more hands-on approach, a more delicate touch. We tend to think that if we just chuck enough money at things they’ll get sorted out, instead of finding ways to really sort them out that require time and attention and care.

Let’s go back to that getting older thing again. You might think that throwing money at it in the shape of cosmetic surgery might be the answer but it isn’t; it only delays things and can create worse problems than it solves. How much better to work on one’s mental approach to aging and come to terms with it in a dignified and graceful way instead. If somebody you care about seems distracted, tense, not themselves, then buying them a present might well cheer them up, but the better (and cheaper) option is to make time to take them out for a walk and ask them about themselves, give them the opportunity to talk.