There is a lot to be learned from children. They have simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. They have simple perceptions. You mention a bag lady to a child and they'll likely conjure up an image of a shopping bag with arms, legs, a neck, a head and long hair. But mention bag lady to an adult, and they conjure up images of destitute old women with deep socio/economic and psychological problems with enough complexity to fuel a conversation all day.
For some reason, as we grow older, we're not satisfied with the "simple solution". As adults, we approach every problem as though the more complex a solution we can find for it … the better the solution. Not so. If I've learned anything is 24 years as an advertising professional, it's that life's simple pleasures are only surpassed by life's simple solutions to complex problems.
Lets look at television. Many parents are concerned about what their children are able to watch on tv. Many feel that the government should step in a "do something about it." But before we go down that path, lets consider if there isn't a more simple solution.
By way of illustration, let's think about church for a moment. What each of us believes is acceptable for our children to watch on tv is as personal as our decision as to what church to attend. The difference in attitudes and beliefs is why Baptists go to a Baptist church, Catholics go to a Catholic church and the Jewish go to a Synagogue.
Now, if you didn't like or agree with what they were teaching at the Church or Synagogue you were attending … what would you do?
Would you gripe that the government should do something about it? Probably not. Most people, would go find another church. Simply put, they'd change their religious channel.
Why is it then, that parents believe they need government regulation to prevent their child from getting the wrong kind of influence from television -when they can simply turn the channel ...or turn it off. The answer to that is also simple.
We don't need more government intervention. We need more parent/child INTERACTION. If we wish to remain a free nation, we must take personal responsibility for that which we CAN control. For not everything in our society can or should be regulated by law. Because to do so is not realistic or conducive to a free nation to remain free.
If you want what your children are watching to be regulated … do it yourself. Be the parent.
Every day we are faced with finding solutions to problems at work and at home. But how many of these problems can be solved if we look for the simple solution first? Often, you'll find the solution staring you in the mirror.
Ahhh … to think like a child … simple solutions to complex problems.
Michael Merrick Crooks, is founder of Crooks Advertising Alliance a creative strike-force specializing in creative problem-solving as it relates to advertising and promotional marketing. A Battle Creek, MI native, Crooks is a Cub Scout leader and Little League Baseball coach. For more unique marketing articles, visit www.CrooksAdvertising.com and sign up for his free newsletter, CrooksView Creative Digest. Or visit the most authoritative website in the world on the subject of waterless tattoos: www.WaterlessTattoos.com
This author of this Article has choosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
