A storm knocked the power out for 48 hours in my neighborhood and I had to change how I did things. This was not as easy as I thought it would be.
Just because I knew the power was out does not mean I didn't turn on the light switch.
During the first 24 hours I was still flipping light switches, putting things in the microwave and I even tried to run the garbage disposal once.
After doing these things for 30 + years it was more instinct or standard work than anything else.
I even plugged my cell phone in to charge it overnight and wondered the following day when the battery was dying .."I just charged this thing...why is it....ohh...I'm an idiot"
During the 24 - 48 hour mark I was flipping fewer switches and had gotten into the new routine of "electrical musical chairs".
I only had a 10 amp generator so if I made coffee, I couldn't run the refrigerator but I could keep the internet and the computer operational.
The sump pump need all the amps every 7 hours to keep the basement from flooding so I had to shut down everything just to run that.
We also made toast over the gas stove and everyone carried a flashlight in case the generator stopped.
I was happy when the power came back on but my brain had to switch back again to the old way of doing things.
A few times I found myself in the basement pantry looking for some food with the flashlight until I realized that I could just flip on the light.
Change is not instantaneous.
Implementing any change to a standard operating system takes time. I wasn't reluctant to change however it took time for my brain to think about doing things the "new way".
Managers take note:
Transitions are difficult no matter who you are or what your position is in a company. Don't believe me...go down to your fuse box and kill the power to your house. You will understand within 48 hours.
