Yesterday, I started printing out a few of the stories that I may include in my third book. The problem was that I needed to insert a new ink cartridge. I don't know if any of you have tried to do this, but generally it is not that difficult, but for some reason I struggled. It is a new printer.
I looked up online that you should insert the cartridge in the front of the machine, but because I had never done this before for this particular printer (A brother printer) I was stumped. I tried inserting in the back but it wasn't working...
As part of my bumbling first efforts parts of the back of the printer started falling off...I grew very frustrated and I hate to say it but actually started banging on it and then it fell on the ground....down for the count. I felt defeated...and a good deal of self-loathing...I mean I've been to Afghanistan, climbed Mt. Washington, ridden in six bike tours, written books, surely I cannot be stopped by a simple printer.
Later in the shower, the pity party continued...
"I should of done this....I should of done that....I'm a terrible person etc."
I once went to the late psychologist Albert Ellis for therapy.. Before my first session I was analyzed on stage in front of close to a hundred people at his clinic in New York City. My topic as I recall was that I had, no surprise, writers block...I guess he cured me of that problem. Thank you Dr. Ellis. Whenever I look at the photo from the night with him and my brother I always smile.
I also got to have therapy with him. He is a legend in the world of psychology and quite a character. We would have therapy sessions and he never wore shoes...He just didn't care what others think...and he cursed a lot.. Amazingly he also took my insurance. Dr. Ellis often said that we should try to avoid "shoulding" on ourselves or "awfulizing" and be more rational when it comes to our thoughts...
I think after my shower and remembering that words count I did a bit of cognitive restructuring and returned to my printer...I considered using money to get a new printer but I wanted to give it one more try.
So I returned to the scene of the crime and tried again...I was more calm and tried to reverse engineer my printer. It reminded me of the nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty. I vowed to do a better job.
I looked at the printer to see if I could fix it...first I started with the paper tray. I was able to insert it (Last time I was trying to put it back in the wrong direction) and to think I have a Master's degree. Then I put the individual page feeder back...progress.
Next, I put the new cartridge in (from the front) it was so easy.
Now for my next hurdle...The back of the printer...I had three pieces to put back...I felt like the guys who are disarming a bomb but I took my time and was able to put one piece on correctly, then a second, and finally the rear door...
I held my breath and the printer worked...or so I thought....It does print but if the rear of the printer is closed it jams....Fortunately it still works and I put a letter tray to left of the printer and the sheets drop in there like a Rube Goldberg invention. I was very frustrated at first but I think it was a valuable learning experience. This is what I learned...
1) If you don't know how to do something look it up
2) Follow directions!
3) Don't be afraid to ask for help
4) If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a break
5) Getting angry or hitting something/someone never solves the problem and can often cause resentment or things breaking...literally
6) Assess the problem
7) Problem solve one step at a time
8) Give yourself credit for your efforts
9) Sometimes you can't put things back together again, or if you do it may not be perfect.
10) Don't "Should on yourself "
11) You can do more than you think even if you have never done it before.
12) Don't give up too soon.
13) Think outside the box
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