How Much Water Will It Hold?

Thomas Edison had a unique way of hiring engineers.  He'd give the applicant a lightbulb and ask "How much water will it hold?"

There were two ways to find the answer.  The first was to use gauges to measure all the angles of the bulb.  Then with the measurements in hand, the engineer would calculate the surface area.  This approach could take as long as twenty minutes. 

The second option was to fill the light bulb with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup.   This took a total of about one minute. 

Engineers who took the first route were thanked politely for their time and sent on their way.  Those who took the second route heard Edison say "you're hired!"

The lesson here is to ask yourself what is it in your life that you are doing the hard way, simply because it is the way you have always done it? Is there another way to approach it? Think outside the box.