Slow down.

A friend made a comment to me today that threw me a curve ball.  It made me start thinking and I hate it when I do that.  It means that not until I come talk to you guys am I going to feel better about it.  So, I'm here and hopefully this will come across in a calm cool collected manner and not sound like some raving lunatic.  Here goes....

I was speaking to a friend about a huge event that is coming up.  Last year there was one woman that played a major role.  I asked if she was doing it again this year and the answer was no.  I asked why.  She said it was because of differing opinions on how things should go.  The example was that the woman thought that the project would be more of a bonding get to know each other time for the workers and it was other's opinion that it should be just a "get it done" type thing.

Ok.

Now.

Let's say this project is a banquet.  There are lots of different aspects to said banquet.  You have to invite people.  You have to find someone to decorate.  You have to find someone to do food.  It will not be easy and it is going to get stressful.  It is how projects like this typically are.

I guess my problem with the thought of it being a hurry up and get it done type thing is that you have then missed out on the purpose of the task and why on earth did you even do it in the first place?  You can say that it is for the end result and I understand that, but the end result while it in and of itself will have wonderful effects on people, isn't necessarily the only opportunity for connection.

Communication is key in all aspects of your world.  If a company does not have a good open line of communication with its employees then productivity will not be at a maximum.  All of the different facets of the company will operate as singular beings all getting upset with the other groups for not adequately meeting their expectations.

Jean Webster says

It isn't the big pleasures that count the most; 

it's making a great deal out of the little ones. 

So, with that in mind.  The banquet would not be the activity at all.  The preparation would be the activity.  The strengthening of relationships within the company.   The ability to get to know one another and work toward a common goal.  Then, in fact, the banquet would be the prize.  The culmination of different persons coming together to work together toward a common goal.

It is my humble opinion that if it becomes a hurry up and get it done task, feelings will get hurt, walls will be built and opportunities will be missed.

I don't know how to fix your situation.  Every situation has so many different levels to it that you will have to decide that for yourself.  The purpose of my post is to state that we all need to slow down.  Enjoy the day to day and don't get so hot and bothered that others around you aren't living up to your expectations.

Get to know the people around you and genuinely listen to their needs and concerns.  You just might get a refreshingly different perspective.  If you feel like you are the person who always does everything don't for once.  See what happens.  Do others pick up the ball and run with it or does it just lie there?  Sometimes a ball needs to be dropped before a problem can be acknowledged.

Remember.  We are all on this planet together.  We are all hurting.  We are all good at different tasks and learn in different ways.  That doesn't make us bad or hard to deal with that just makes us different and that's a good thing.

I will end with a food reference, just because I can.  Take a chocolate chip cookie for instance.  Everyone wants to be the chocolate chip.  The star!  It's very name defines the cookie, but everyone can't be the chocolate chip.  Somebody has to be the vanilla.  Somebody has to be the baking soda, the flour, the sugar.  It is all these ingredients that come together to make the deliciousness that is the final product.  If the chocolate chip starts trying to do all of the other parts jobs you will end up with a big chocolately mess and it will no longer be a chocolate chip cookie it will be goo.

Slow down, let those around you shine, allowing yourself to savor the experience and others to enjoy it too!

Love you all!