Think... Do It Yourself! A Practical Guide to Problem Solving.

By Michael Eisenberg

It is amazing how so many people are so completely dependent on almost everything but themselves. Modern society has succeeded in conditioning and even brainwashing the masses into believing that they can’t do it themselves. Not long ago, when independence was a way of life, people were taught how to function in that particular way of life. The independent way of life, by definition, was very broad based. It was essential for the individual to analyze and problem solve every aspect of his life for himself. It was out of this necessity that the individual learned to think about solving his own problems. To think is not entirely natural. It is a learned process. It must be developed and used continually in order to remain effective.

This book, through logic and examples, is intended to teach you how to think about, and to do just about anything for yourself. All of the logic that you will need is represented in two easy lessons. The examples will show the practical application of that logic, including DIY projects ranging from fixing plumbing leaks to building a solar water heater. They will, no doubt, prove helpful to the reader. However, the examples are not given with the intent of providing an instruction manual, but rather to show problem solving techniques that can be applied in almost every situation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Eisenberg
• Release date: May 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370980734

Michael Eisenberg

Michael Eisenberg is a Vietnam era veteran of the USN honorably discharged with a rank of Petty Officer 3rd class and has served on numerous ships and submarines. He has also served in the Israel Defense Forces in the function of a military police officer. Michael owned and managed Florida Woodworks Inc. in Orlando, FL, engaging in the manufacturing of solid cedar furniture for local wholesale and retail markets. After moving to Israel in 1982 to explore his Jewish heritage and become involved in the Messianic Judaism movement, he then owned and managed numerous businesses in Jerusalem including owner/manager of the King George Hostel and manager of the Palm Hotel and the Feisel Hotel. It was at this time that he met and married a German volunteer from the hotel he managed, Barbara. Michael then became the owner and chief contractor of Jerusalem Plumbing Service for several years while raising two sons – Natanel and Daniel. In 1997 Michael took his wife and sons to America. Since then, Michael achieved building his own dream house in a quiet 16-acre plot in rural West Virginia, where he lived in a beautiful solar-powered earth-sheltered home. The 7-year project was taken one step at a time using the very same formula and logic described in this book. Performance is now outstanding requiring no summer cooling and little winter heat. Aesthetics are consistently praised by neighbors and friends. In late 2016 Michael was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and tragically succumbed to the disease in early 2018. Over the last few years of his life he was involved in the launch of a new business with his son Natanel, a mobile app called ConsumerBreak. ________________ Soon after moving to the U.S. in 1997 and finishing this book, Michael briefly tried to market it unsuccessfully and then stored away the only paper copy. It lay dormant in a box for 20 years. Then one day while sorting through old belongings, Natanel came across and read it for the first time. He then digitized and self-published it as this e-book.

Book preview

Introduction

It is amazing how so many people are so completely dependent on almost everything but themselves. Modern society has succeeded in conditioning and even brainwashing the masses into believing that they can’t do it themselves.

It is a specialized world. Specialization is an actual necessity for the continuation and health of the macro-economy. Training and functioning in a specialty is the very cog that keeps the whole machine running. Training in many jobs and professions is so complete that little to no thought is required in order to accomplish the specific task. All of this training and specialization has impeded our ability to think and reason. To think is no longer necessary. In order to solve any problem outside of our specific training, we have the use of the Internet, and before that the Yellow Pages and a telephone.

This is also training.

Dogs and other animals are trained. People need to think. Not long ago, when independence was a way of life, people were taught how to function in that particular way of life. The independent way of life, by definition, was very broad based. It was essential for the individual to analyze and problem solve every aspect of his life for himself. It was out of this necessity that the individual learned to think about solving his own problems. To think is not entirely natural. It is a learned process. It must be developed and used continually in order to remain effective.

This book, through logic and examples, is intended to teach you how to think about, and to do just about anything for yourself. All of the logic that you will need is represented in two easy lessons. The examples will show the practical application of that logic. They will, no doubt, prove helpful to the reader. However, the examples are not given with the intent of providing an instruction manual, but rather to show problem solving techniques that can be applied in almost every situation.

I have observed, interestingly enough, that people who are avid do-it-yourselfers are generally more emotionally stable, alert, and happier people.

I am convinced that it is not that they are able to do it themselves because they are more capable people, but that they are more capable people because they learned to do it themselves. Therefore, let us wake up and do it. Or rather, let us do it and wake up!

Overcoming fear: Seeing & Brainstorming

Fear is the main obstacle to the initiation, completion, and subsequent success of any project.

I have provided a plumbing and home renovation/repair service in the area of Jerusalem, Israel for the past 10 years. It is amazing how many simple service calls I have received because the client was simply afraid to do it himself.

I could receive a few service calls a day just to change a washer in a leaky tap. In order to encourage their independence (and