Problem Solving with the Rule of Three

I am making great strides (har har) in my knee replacement recovery. I have full extension and full flexion in my knee, just six weeks from my surgery. I still walk with a cane, for two reasons: my vertigo and my quads are only at about 75-80% full strength.

Now, I have a vanity problem. I’ve been wearing shorts for the past six weeks, because I’ve been home or working out at physical therapy or the gym. Shorts are perfect. But in about 10 days, I’m going to the Agile conference, where, at least for me, shorts are not appropriate. They are not warm enough nor are they sufficiently business-appropriate. Nor do I have pretty-enough knees, even at a distance.

So what’s the problem? My scar bisects my knee vertically. The skin on the inside of my knee feels fine. The skin on the outside of my knee feels “funny.” The nerve endings are still raw and easily disturbed. Some pillows feel funny if I put them on my lap. I have not tried on any of my pants. I am not looking forward to it.

Generate Options

What am I going to wear to the conference? Let’s see what the Rule of Three says. Remember the Rule of Three says that if I have just one solution it’s a trap, two solutions is a dilemma, and three solutions breaks logjam thinking and helps me think of more possible solutions. Here are some solutions:

  1. Wear shorts. I could wear a sweater with the shorts to stay warm. I am worried about looking sufficiently business-like.
  2. Wear a long skirt with tights. When I wore the prevent-blood-clot tights, I did not have funny feelings on my skin.
  3. Wear soft cotton pants such as I wear to dance practice. They don’t have pockets and they do have elastic waist, but I suspect I can manage my food intake for a week.
  4. Try on my regular dress pants. I have no data about what they feel like. I only have conjecture.
  5. Give my knee a few more days and see what the skin feels like, since I’m getting stronger every day. I bet the nerves feel different every day.

So, now I have five options where before I didn’t see any. This is a real problem for me, even though it might seem vain or fanciful to you.

I find this kind of directed problem solving quite helpful. I hope you do, too.

25 thoughts on “Problem Solving with the Rule of Three”

  1. Pingback: The Rule Of 3 & Johanna Rothman | Triple B Blog

  2. Pingback: Create an Adaptable Life Newsletter: Problem Solving vs. Problem Managing

  3. Pingback: Making Difficult Choices

  4. Pingback: Three Questions for Adaptable Problem SolversCreate An Adaptable Life

  5. Pingback: What Else Could You Do? | Create An Adaptable Life

  6. Pingback: When Is It Time to Replan? | Create An Adaptable Life

  7. Pingback: Are You Solving Problems MacGyver-Style? | Create An Adaptable Life

  8. Pingback: Are You Hoping or Expecting? | Create An Adaptable Life

  9. Pingback: What Did You Patch? – Create An Adaptable Life

  10. Pingback: How Do You Use Data? – Create An Adaptable Life

  11. Pingback: Are You Whining or Problem-Solving? – Create An Adaptable Life

  12. Pingback: How Can You Get What You Want? – Create An Adaptable Life

  13. Pingback: What’s the Simplest Thing You Can Do? – Create An Adaptable Life

  14. Pingback: How About Yes, And … ? – Create An Adaptable Life

  15. Pingback: Do You Believe in Scarcity or Abundance? - Create An Adaptable Life

  16. Pingback: When Do You Inflict Help? - Create An Adaptable Life

  17. Pingback: How Can You Create Time or Space for More Options? - Create An Adaptable Life

  18. Pingback: How Do You Say Goodbye? - Create An Adaptable Life

  19. Pingback: What Does Integrity Mean to You? - Create An Adaptable Life

  20. Pingback: How Many Options Can You Hold at One Time? | Create An Adaptable Life

  21. Pingback: How Can You Prevent Your Fear From Limiting Your Options? | Create An Adaptable Life

  22. Pingback: What's the Problem: the Decision or the Outcome? | Create An Adaptable Life

  23. Pingback: How Do You Find the Courage to Take the First Step? | Create An Adaptable Life

  24. Pingback: How Much Stoicism Makes Sense for You? | Create An Adaptable Life

  25. Pingback: When Can You Recognize and Avoid the Trap of Either/Or Thinking? | Create An Adaptable Life

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.