Ah, AutoCAD. Everyone’s favorite. For the uninitiated, CAD is a drafting software utilized by engineers in myriad disciplines, particularly project development, construction and architectural design. Sound fun? Actually, it can be. Except for the circumstances under which it is not. Those are dark times to be an engineer.
Though I make a valiant effort to separate my work and personal lives, sometimes there is no ignoring the poignancy of AutoCAD’s spiritual lessons. Its erratic behavior often mirrors the unfortunate state of our lives. Ever feel like the second you “get your life together”, something else crumbles and needs immediate attention? You were so close, and now so far away, and the cycle continues until we ourselves crumble into dust, and our souls dissipate into the great unknown. AutoCAD is admittedly not as profound as death itself, but some of its quirks certainly bring the subject to mind. Namely, the software’s uncanny ability to bug out beyond belief at the exact moment you need it most.
Zoning needs a site plan by, like, ten minutes ago?
CRASH.
Scrambling to submit a huge project bid portfolio by 5PM on a Friday afternoon?
CRASH.
Wanting to create literally ONE polygon for upload to the online map system?
COMPUTER EXPLODES INTO A MILLION PIECES.
I know cursing is normally frowned upon in the workplace, but I may have uttered a forceful f%*! under my breath enough times to concern my coworkers. How can it be that this program fails me every time I am almost done with a project, or simply need to complete one GOSH DARN task an intern could do?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHDIJHVGPAIEWGN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahem.
In these lovely moments, it is incredulously easy to slip into a mode of frustration. If the problem persists, this frustration then escalates into keyboard-banging fury. Keep the technical difficulties comin’ and your anger then summons the deepest reaches of your demonic soul, which finds comfort in hating everything and everyone. Your whole day is ruined. Perhaps even the whole week. Possibly even your whole life! All of this rage, from the combination of a silly program, and the deadlines imposed upon you which, when all is said and done, will not matter a week from now.
As is obviously apparent, this process of AutoCAD-induced indignation has plagued me many-a-time. The stress this persistent problem created was ridiculously unreal, to the detriment of my peace and happiness. Something had to change. So I decided to approach this problem differently. With a new perspective. The Me vs. AutoCAD saga became less of a battle and more of a test. And I’m not much of a fighter, but I can sure as hell ace a test. Bring. It. On.
Question 1.) Is AutoCAD a sentient entity who possesses a personal vendetta against you?
a. It sure as hell seems that way.
b. Probably not…..
c. Okay, fine. No.
Life is unfair. This is indeed true, but it does not mean that you are under persecution. When obstacles assail, that is either luck-of-the-draw or karma coming back to remind you of your human nature. The first step in overcoming my conundrum was to drop the aire of self-pity. Poor me, being taunted by a computer program at an incredible job where my work is valued and I believe in what I do. What a sad life I lead. Yeah, right. Get over yourself! AutoCAD hates you as much as any other person in this world. You are not a special snowflake worthy of its wrath. Despite recent advances in artificial intelligence, I can assure you — CAD has not developed an IQ deservant of any recognition of cognizance (I’m looking at you, bpoly command).
Question 2.) When AutoCAD repetitiously freezes or unexpectedly crashes, and you have made every possible attempt to troubleshoot, how do you respond?
a. Procrastinate with every fiber of your being, exacerbating your already difficult to manage manic-depressive cycles.
b. Progressively mount in frustration until the onset of heart palpitations and shortness of breath gives you vertigo and you have to take a sick day.
c. Quit your job.
d. Quit your life; admit defeat and start drafting your suicide note.
e. Damn, girl. You got issues. None of the above. Anything but the above. Get some therapy, or something…
Like it or not, our responses to hardship define us. Which is unfortunate, considering answers (a) through (d) reflect realistic circumstances or ideas brought on by my post-CAD depression. When I’m feeling weak, worn down, full of swelling hatred for a computer software, it can be hard to escape these melodramatic mind-states. But to function as a human being in this strange world, one must grow up and take responsibility for their responses.
Problems are made to be solved. And engineers are trained to solve problems. But engineers are people too. So even if AutoCAD is not after my flesh and blood, I can forgive myself for these misunderstandings, with full knowing that they will arise again. With this knowledge, I can anticipate the options available to me before the clock starts ticking, and a choice needs to be made — I can be proactive in controlling my reactions.
Instead of falling down the rabbit hole of despair, I now admire this chasm from a respectful distance. I notice the problem before it arises, avoiding the impending intrusion of self-destructive thoughts. If needed, I look away from that rabbit hole for a while. I get a cup of tea, take a walk outside, write in my journal, forcibly laugh it off, even collapse onto the ground in a humorous mockery of defeat. I don’t worry about the deliverable for the moment; for I sure as hell won’t finish it at the bottom of a pit.
The old addendum from my college days still applies: if you get stuck on a problem, move on, and come back to it. More often than not you will know the answer by the time you return. Through this exercise of self-restraint, I circumvent frustration. Then I return when I am ready to face the challenge again, renewed and refreshed. Miraculously, the problem seems to lose its complexity while I’m gone, and the solution comes floating down from above like an AutoCAD angel.
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I admit, this was a short test. But its brevity certainly does not match its difficulty. And the multiple-choice format does not pay homage to the infinite gray space in between — the processes by which we come to conclusions; make decisions; react, respond, release. The “right” answers often do not leave room for the human experience. But, as we stumble through answers (a) through (z), we gradually move closer to the best choice. In reality, this is a test of iterations — of testing immature theories to ensure they are, in fact, terrible. This is the scientific method. This is problem solving. This is how you pass with flying colors.
Within AutoCAD’s imperfections is a perfect metaphor for the challenges we face in life. No matter what, things will not go quite as smoothly as we planned — and if they do, you may want to spot-check your work before sending it over, because something might be amiss. If you let minor obstacles become major barriers, you are hurting no one but yourself. Whether your struggles arise from relationships, work, finances, art, or elsewhere — it will always behoove you to take a step back, gain some perspective, imbue yourself with positivity, and breathe. So forgive yourself, move on, and try a new tactic. Above all, remember that you are human; and this makes you infinitely better than the patterns that plague you.
It wouldn’t hurt to avoid a desk job, either…..
Ethereal Ecology 