Reality Checks: Ignore, Deny or Accept & Inspirational Dissatisfaction

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

What is the key to change what can be changed?

All of us go through a process of ignoring, denying and accepting circumstances in our lives. The trash needs to be taken out; let's say that is the reality. We can ignore that fact. We can deny it. We can accept it. Once we accept it, we can then move on to decide what to do about it. If we are wise, at some point, we take the trash out or have someone take it out for us.

The reality is that some things are more complicated than merely emptying the waste can into the trash container outside, awaiting the next run of the garbage collector.

Tim Connor speaks and writes about re-invention and change management. Amy Bliss wrote for us about Fight, Flight or Freeze. Greg McClanahan wrote for us about butterfly wings, and how even slight or seemingly insignificant things can take place that, in fact, may lead to profound consequences. Each of these writers in their own way touched on or dealt with this topic: what do we do with the reality of a situation?

We have an incredible product with HUD Code Manufactured Housing. All aspects of factory building – modular, panelized, pre-fab and manufactured homes – as we saw in my column last month, have every reason to be pulling together and working together. As we look at any given topic that represents a challenge, that represents an odor or obstacle to be removed, we start by ignoring, denying or accepting. Wisdom tells us to accept what is, but then what?

If change is required, that is when Inspirational Dissatisfaction comes in!

We all know what it means to be dissatisfied. The paint job wasn't done right. The alarm clock or your cell phone quits working. We can ignore, deny or accept. Once we accept, we don't merely gripe about it. We allow our dissatisfaction to inspire us to do something positive about the issue!  That's Inspirational Dissatisfaction!

I was reading a comment posted on my More Elephants in the Room, Teeing up INR and Manufactured Housing blog post. It was from a retailer in Grand Junction, Colorado. Here is the link to his comment: http://disq.us/lrhdv. That comment inspired me to write this column. I hope that those who feel about some challenges the way that retailer does will be inspired to tackle their issues.

I think people ought to be willing to take their own advice, if that advice is sound. We should swallow our own medicine or the good medicine offered us by others.

In September, www.MHMSM.com is celebrating our twelfth issue. As a regular reader, you know we have a three-fold rhythm: we are a daily on news, weekly or multiple times weekly on our blogs and INdustry in Focus reports, and monthly on feature articles such as this one. What motivated this online Industry Ezine effort? Inspirational Dissatisfaction! The long-running Industry trade journal The Manufactured Home Merchandiser Magazine had folded. I felt a void existed. I wasn't alone. Some of us pulled together and thus TheManufactured Home Marketing Sales Management (MHMSM.com) trade journal was created. This Industry news-and-views-you-can-use resource is very much the result of Inspirational Dissatisfaction!

We have a great Industry!

We have a great product in today's factory built homes!

But each Industry segment has its challenges and issues. One might argue that HUD Code Manufactured Housing has the greater number of challenges. We can ignore those challenges. We could deny the challenges exist, and keep on doing business the same way. Or we can accept the challenges, keep working, but do so with a purpose to bring positive change about.

Wisdom says Acceptance is the first step. Inspirational Dissatisfaction is the next event, the 'aha moment!' What follows should be Understanding the dynamics of an issue, and that requires some thoughtful investigation. That means learning, approaching things with new eyes, a fresh outlook and an open mind. This phase of understanding might involve input from multiple sources. The next step is to craft a plan that addresses the issue. The final part of the process is to implement and refine as needed, to make sure that the goal is achieved.

We've established MHMSM.com for many reasons. Certainly our tag line suggests some of them:

Innovation – Information – Inspiration for Industry Professionals.

We also established MHMSM.com to provide a platform for understanding, for discussion and so that positive change can be proposed and moved ahead. That change may be in your own work, in the work of your firm or beyond your company or organization.

Gandhi said it first: Be the change you want to see in the world.

The reality check is, we can ignore, deny or accept a challenge. Challenges don't harm us unless we leave them untouched or unresolved. Facing a challenge can and should make us stronger!

Factory building – in all its aspects - can become the dominant form of new housing in America. Our opportunities have never been brighter! Once someone stops ignoring, denying or merely crying in their beer, once we move to the level of Inspirational Dissatisfaction, we are in a position to advance an issue to the point where what was once a weakness becomes a strength.

Consider the challenges. Identify them. Accept them. Then through the process of Inspirational Dissatisfaction, let those challenges move you purposefully in the direction of a solution or resolution that makes you, your company and the Industry better able to deliver our products and services to Americans. # #

L.A. 'Tony' Kovachis Editor of MHMSM.com –Innovation – Information – Inspiration for Industry Professionals – and does contract marketing, sales and management, turn around and growth services for MH industry professionals and companies. See his LinkedIn profile at: linkedin.com/in/latonykovach; call Tony at 847-730-3692 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .