I’m the first to admit that I have some control issues.
I deeply believe in my ability to make things happen. I believe that the universe doesn’t happen TO me–I happen to the universe.
It’s a worldview that has served me well, but it’s frankly exhausting.
The problem with that worldview is that when things don’t break my way in the way that I want or the timeframe that I want, it’s hard not to see that as a personal failure.
Only recently did I realize that my desire to control outcomes is couched in my deeply held belief that my value is tied to my ability to produce outcomes.
How many times have we experienced it?
We’re praised for good grades, not necessarily the work that it took. We’re told we’re only as good as our last deal, not the process.
What if we did the work and trusted that we’ll receive what we’re meant to receive?
What if the lesson was the process and not the outcome?
What if the win is the ask and not the gift?
What if our value is our presence on this planet, and not what we produce?