Reservation
Running On Empty?
Published: 12/31/2020
By: Andrew Neyer
I often wonder why we don't reserve more margin in our lives. We find ourselves running on empty and dangerously close to seizing.
When my car is low on gas, a refuel alert lights up and informs me I need to refuel. This indicator is one example of a kanban.
Kanban (Japanese 看板), or signal, is a visual cue to trigger an action (in this example: refuel). Kanbans have tremendous potential to ease our lives, but I think our refuel alerts are in the wrong spot sometimes.
Ideally, a replenishment kanban (or alert) should consider ample time to source what needs to be replenished. If we drive more than 25-30 miles per day, shouldn't the reserve be more than a day of driving? Your need to refuel now has a greater chance of becoming an obstacle to your day.
Most likely, your gas gauge cycles from FULL to EMPTY on repeat.
Another way to think of it is your vehicle going from full driving capacity to zero driving capacity. This cycle creates a very uneven sawtooth-pattern of fuel inventory.
Another option is to increase the reserve. By advancing the kanban, we can have a much smoother level of fuel inventory.
Consider the following diagrams:
Fig.1 Shows the typical fuel consumption cycle with a low (1/8 tank) kanban.
Fig. 2 Depicts an eased consumption with a thicker (1/2 tank) kanban. The main difference is that there is a larger time allotment to refuel, so it can be done gradually. This method prevents the frantic priority to refuel, and maintains a larger consistent capacity.
Running out of gas is the worst. This disaster is not only a terrible setback for yourself, but it has a ripple effect on those around you as well.
Changing our reserves is an essential step to removing friction. I like the metaphor of refueling our vehicles and driving capacity, but I think this is a more profound way to analyze our lives in general.
My capacity to engage and help others will diminish the closer I am to being emotionally empty. I need to prevent feeling depleted so that I can love and serve my family and the people I interact with each day. I must signal to those around me when I need to refuel well before it is too late.
A bigger reserve makes it easier to refuel. You can refuel more casually throughout the week and relieve the worries of falling apart or failing (which creates stress for you and everyone in your life, just like a car out of gas).
Make sure you are aware of your capacity and how you refuel. Know your limits and create kanbans to act as safeguards to your health.
Serving others is the most renewable energy, so fill 'er up!
Context
Running On Empty
Bigger Reserves
Illustrations: Andrew Neyer
Thoughts
– Are you running on empty?
– Do you need bigger reserves?
– Where do you spend your margin?
