Thanks for coming back to the final article. In the last issue, we looked at just how many errors are caused every day by rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency. Although, usually it’s a combination of these states, with complacency either leading the way or lurking in the background. And we have also looked at how the four states or a combination of them can cause problems with decision making. For example: a job or even a big “turn-around” is running behind schedule. People are rushing or going faster than they would normally go. As a result, some safety devices, procedures or protocols —like doing a risk assessment — that take time, are very tempting to avoid or bypass. Yes, the people could self-trigger on the rushing, come back to the moment, and realize that their decisions are being compromised because of the rushing. But why were they rushing in the first place?
Why do people rush? And remember, this simply has to be going faster than you normally go. It doesn’t have to be for long, it can just be a quick turn without looking — and it doesn’t have to be at record-breaking speed. It happens to all of us, every day, with very few exceptions. However, when you ask, “What causes most people to rush?” almost everybody answers, “Poor planning.” But have you ever planned to rush? Not likely, it’s unpleasant and stressful.