The Edwardian Theory
When I was in my last two years of college, I met Farrell Edwards. He was a physics professor, and I had a double major of English and Political Science, so don't ask how we came together.
But come together we did, and Farrell taught me something I will always remember. I was so taken with his concept that I named it after him - The Edwardian Theory.
"List all the possible solutions to your problem on a sheet of paper," he told me. "Be sure to list all of the possiblities, even the dumb ones. It won't work if you try it only in your head. You must write it down."
"Then cross off the most outrageous ideas first. Next, cross off the impossible answers. Keep whittling off the unacceptable ideas until you get to a few really pausible solutions. You'll find in short order the problem is no where as big as you first imagined."
"By writing down all the possibilitites first, when you get down to the last couple of solutions, you will be surprised to see how clearly the answer shines. When you start writing down all the possibibilities, things may not be so obvious, but as your pen or pencil actively marks off items on the list, voila, the answer suddenly appears!"
Here is a sample of how the Edwardian Theory might work. Let's say you can't decide between dating someone with red hair or someone with brown hair. Remember, you must write everything down first. Then start crossing off the non-starters.
I won't date either one.
I will date the red head first, and hope the brown haired one doesn't hear about it.
I will date the brown haired one first, and hope the red head doesn't hear about it.
I will date both of them at once.
I will stop dating all together.
I will postpone any decision until after such-and-such a day.
I will date the blonde instead.
I will rent a movie instead.
I will move out of state.
I've not always followed the Edwardian Theory to the letter, but that does not invalidate the concept.
The Carolloian Theory
A few years after college, I started work at a television station as an announcer. That was only half my job, though. My real job was to sell commercial time on our station. That was where the real skill came in. Eventually, I learned a valuable secret.
"Don't ever try to sell anything on Monday," Al Carollo told me. "They are still trying to get over the weekend."
Then my boss - and station owner - expanded. "Of course, Friday is out, because people are looking forward to the weekend."
Okay. That's logical.
"And of course, you never want to get someone late in the day. By the afternoon, they are weighed down with the day's decisions."
What was left? Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Prime pickings.
Too simple? Not at all. In fact, the Carolloian Theory applies to more than just selling advertising. It applies to most interactions between people asked to make a decision. Those three mornings are the best times to hold board meetings, do your taxes, or plan a vacation. Heck, they are the best times to apply the Edwardian Theory!