First World Problems

“That is a First World Problem.” One of our younger consultants recently said this to me when I presented him with a relatively nit-picky issue. I have heard the phrase “first world problem” before, but I had never thought much about until now.

In case you aren’t familiar with the phrase, it is essentially poking fun at things we complain about as an industrialized nation when people in third world countries are struggling for more basic needs. Examples of “first world problems” would be the batteries are dead in the remote or the internet is slow. In contrast, a developing country’s problems may include things like access to medicine, shelter, and food.

With recent events like the hurricanes in the Caribbean and southern US, the shooting in Las Vegas, and the fires in California, many of our friends, relatives, and fellow Americans are experiencing third world problems – loss of property, loss of life, and limited access to communications and even drinking water.

It’s a good practice to take a minute to remember how fortunate we are that an occasional slow server or a bad driver in front of us on the highway is the worst problem we must deal with on many days.

I bring this up because no matter what situation you are in, perspective is key. When you are frustrated with a project or task, try taking a step back. Be thankful that you have a job that gives you the opportunity to grow and learn new things and then, try thinking about your situation from a different viewpoint.

While “first world problems” seem like an inconvenience, they pale in comparison to issues facing others around the world and even in our own backyards. At Advoco, we are continuing to try to maintain a good outlook and help those impacted by recent events because we know how lucky we are.

Until next time…we are Advoco, make every minute count.

About Craig: Craig Page is a self-proclaimed “data geek” with nearly 20 years of EAM/maintenance consulting experience. His favorite work is data migrations. He enjoys solving the puzzle to make the data fit and keep the integrity of the information. When Craig isn’t in front of a computer, he is probably running a chainsaw or a tractor. Have a question for Craig? Send him an email!