Anyone who is the least bit self-aware knows his or her own strengths and weaknesses. It is a real key to being successful in life.
For me, one of my biggest strengths is also a considerable weakness. I would like to remove the weak side of the coin while retaining the strong side, but I’m not sure if that’s possible.
I am a planner regarding everything I do. That is great when I am at work and putting together projects or handling special assignments. I can plot out a path forward, determine possible risks or hurdles, then proceed confidently. The bigger the project or assignment, the more detailed the plan. Usually, I leave nothing to chance or serendipity. I guess that can be a weakness depending on what I am doing, but ordinarily, my strong planning emphasis serves me well.
I also have “to do” lists at work – both daily and longer term. They give me a sense of comfort, too. Once I commit an assignment or other task to a list, I can put it out of my mind until it is time to deal with it. No need to keep reminding myself that it needs to be done.
Outside of work, I am afraid that my planning tendencies can get out of hand. Yes, I have “to do” lists at home, too. I suppose that’s fairly common. But my mania about preparations can get a bit out of hand when it comes to travel or special occasions.
In 2004, Barbara, Katy (eleven at the time) and I took a week-long trip to Tennessee. We flew to Nashville and rented a car. After a few days in Music City, we drove across the state and spent a few days in Memphis before returning to Nashville.
Despite the fact that we were flying and Nashville had all the amenities and stores to purchase anything we might need, I had made a “Take to Tennessee” list that was as long as my arm. Included on that list was an umbrella. So, I packed it in one of the suitcases for the flight.
As we toured the state, I carried that collapsible umbrella in a shoulder bag everywhere we went. It visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. It passed by the Ryman Auditorium. It visited Beale Street and was present for the Peabody Hotel ducks parade. The Tennessee sun shone through all of it. On our last day in Memphis, we visited Graceland. As I recall, it was quite a distance from where we left the rental car in the parking lot to the house itself.
Wow, what a place – Elvis Presley’s home! The Jungle Room. The grave site.
When we exited Graceland, it was raining. This was the moment for which I had waited and planned. It was time to use the umbrella. To my surprise, the umbrella was back in the car with my shoulder bag – a long way from where we stood!
I had carried that damned umbrella for days. Now, when needed, it was not available!
So, we got wet, and then, guess what? We dried off. The laughter from my wife and daughter lasted through the rest of that trip and in the years since whenever the topic is raised. I would like to say that I learned a lesson and changed my over-planning ways. Yes, I would like to say that, but I am still a work in progress. And when traveling, I still carry an umbrella.