Let's play a game. The "Alex & Tristinn: What Would They Do?" game.
1) WWAD if he lost his wallet?
- Option #1: Quickly remember where he left it because he is very aware of his surroundings so he rarely loses things.
- Option #2: Meticulously retrace his steps until the wallet was found.
WWTD if she lost her wallet?
- Tell the person next to her all the things she'd done over the last 24 hours in order to remember where she put it. In the event she couldn't remember, she would think about it obsessively until it was found.
2) WWAD if he only had 8 pairs of socks?
- Do laundry every 6 days to ensure he always had a clean pair.
WWTD if she only had 8 pairs of socks?
- Go out and buy 12 more pairs so she could last through a 2-week vacation without having to do laundry.
3) WWAD if he was going to be late for an appointment unless he took the toll bridge?
- Take the toll bridge. It's worth paying $5 to be on time.
WWTD?
- How important is the appointment? $5 is a lot of money....
4) WWAD if he had to choose the color of his new car?
- He would choose black. Black is classy.
WWTD?
- She would choose any color besides black....and white. Black and white are boring!
What would _________ do? When you think about it, this is a really important question. This is the question that allows you to imagine what it is like to live someone else's experience. It is a question that encourages empathy, understanding, and growth. It helps you see the world in fabulous new ways, and can transform a person's life.
Unfortunately, I think we misuse this question. Instead of gaining insight and understanding about the behavior of others, we use this question to elevate & justify our own behavior. "What would ____ do? Oh, I'm glad I'm not making the same mistake." Even the catchphrase "What would Jesus do?" can become justification for behavior.
So let's go back to using the WW_D question the right way. What can you learn from someone else's life by asking this very simple, but poignant question?
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