IF IT AINT BROKE… BREAK IT

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
 It’s good old conventional wisdom. Why should you want to fix something that is still working? Wouldn’t that be madness?

The common electric fan, invented by Dr Schulyer Wheeler in 1886, is reputed to be one gadget that has hardly undergone a fundamental change in over a hundred and twenty years of existence. It is probably the best example of the saying: ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it.” In a world of dizzying speed in inventions and improvements to gadgets this simple convenience has held its ground and continues to this day in its simplistic beauty.

But look through all of history as far back as you can see. You will see that this is the exception, not the rule.

What was “broke” with the human leg when the ancients decided to tame and use horses for their trips? Nothing. What was “broke” with the horse’s leg when wheels were invented to carry more luggage? Nothing. What was wrong with the horse to warrant a bicycle? Nothing. What was wrong with the bicycle to warrant a motorcycle? Nothing. What was wrong with the motorcycle to warrant a car? Nothing. What was wrong with the car to warrant an aero plane? Nothing. Nothing will go wrong with the aero plane for a higher and better means of transportation to come up. You can bet on it.

So what’s the lesson?
Don’t wait for things to get broken before you look for a solution. That will be reactionary. And societies or people that are reactionary are always at the mercy of the ones that start the action. Take a second look around you; if you find yourself not making as much progress as you would love to, or if you find your community not taking the leaps it should be capable of, or your organization not achieving what its potential predicts, then be assured that it is because some things have not been fixed recently – because they aren’t broken yet.

But the idea is in your head; the inspiration lies within you. The simple innovation begs for you to give it life and the YAT Team asks that you do just that here:
You read it right, we are not broke, we don’t need fixing, but we can grow and transform and become better for the future. Together we will build Nigeria into the world class Nation of our dreams. And as another ancient saying goes, dreams can come true.