After participating in a Christian group coaching program, I started the practice of looking for the biggest lesson of the day. It was amazing to realize that each day held valuable instruction that I was previously too distracted to notice. Try it. At the end of the day, preferably before going to bed, just reflect on the events over the last several hours and you’ll notice that something specific (a conversation, someone’s behavior, an emotion, and so on) will become heightened. You’ll have insight that will help you navigate life. It’s pretty awesome. I documented these revelations over the last couple of years and will share some of my biggest lessons in a series.
Biggest Lesson: Choose Peace Over Perfection
One of my gifts is the ability to organize. It can be anything – a business team, event, a room – you name it. Anytime I am introduced to something or go into a space, my mind begins to process how can something be achieved or experienced more efficiently. It is just how I am wired. I can’t turn it off.
…when the desire to get the details done “just right” and the goal to accomplish the vision gets so big that I sacrifice sleep necessary to function and miss out on meaningful life experiences, that is a problem…We have to leave room for God in our plans.
I really get jazzed when I get to bring order to something that is pretty chaotic. A messy room? Great! Let’s declutter, find a “home” for only what’s essential, and bring a functional and beautiful design to your space. Your business unit is underperforming? Ooh, fun! Let’s establish the most efficient process and put sustainable systems in place. Need to host an event? Yesss! Let’s create the ultimate experience from the moment guests step foot into the venue until it’s time to leave.
On the flip side, my gift turns to garbage when I lose focus and it becomes about me. At first, the assignment starts off with noble intentions, but when the desire to get the details done “just right” and the goal to accomplish the vision gets so big that I sacrifice sleep necessary to function and miss out on meaningful life experiences, that is a problem. What quality of life is that? I’m trying to help my fellow Type A personalities reading this. We have to leave room for God in our plans. Let me make it less abstract for you, try one or both suggestions below:
- Delegate and accept that others won’t do it like you. Allowing those who are on your team or in your tribe to help will give you breathing room. Also, their involvement in the process is a part of their divine assignment and spiritual growth too.
- Enjoy the process. Often achieving the end goal has very little to do with what you get out of it. The outcome is for others to benefit. Your gain is through the process. However, if during the process your pace is too fast, you lack energy, and you have tunnel vision, you’ll miss the many opportunities to experience God’s glory and power. There are often little miracles, little winks from above, that let you know that God sees you and is with you.
Oh friend, I have learned this the hard way (and I am still a work in progress!). The backstory is too long for a blog post, I’ll put it in a book someday.