Giving advice and solving problems

Dawit had a difficult week. His old motorbike, which he uses to deliver goods around Addis Ababa, broke down on Monday, and the repair will cost more birr than he has saved. Worried, he asked his friend Sara for advice over a cup of buna. Sara listened carefully and then said, 'First, don't panic. If you try to fix everything at once, you will only feel more stressed. Let's deal with one thing at a time.' She suggested two possible solutions. 'You could borrow a small amount from your brother and pay him back next month,' she said, 'or you could rent a bike from the garage for a few days while you save.' Dawit was not sure, so Sara added some firmer advice. 'If I were you, I would talk to your customers honestly. If you tell them the delivery will be one day late, most of them will understand. People appreciate honesty.' She also reminded him about the bigger picture. 'You should put a little money aside every week from now on. If you build a small savings fund, the next problem will not feel so frightening.' Dawit felt much calmer. 'Why don't you write down the steps,' Sara said, 'so you don't forget them?' Together they made a simple plan: borrow from his brother, rent a bike for three days, message his customers that evening, and start saving fifty birr a week. By the time they finished their coffee, Dawit had made up his mind. The problem was still there, but now he knew exactly what to do, and a clear plan, he realised, is half of every solution.