Hiccups, Cancelations and other frustrations
Today was a full day
It was a full day. Now it’s not. I’m writing this at 9:30AM. By 9AM, I’ve cancelled more things than most people do all day.
I got all dressed up professional-like. It turns out that a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops would have been more appropriate…and more comfortable.
Usually, I’m not too upset when things get cancelled. It frees me up to work on my business, write more…whatever. It’s even bought me some time to go fly fishing a couple times. But today’s cancelled things are just going to pile up for me later. At least they’re still going to get done, but I would much rather have finished them.
I’m a lot like Hannibal Smith from the A-Team. “I love it when a plan comes together.”
When Plans Don’t Come Together
We have some choices to make…
Jump for joy and spend the rest of the day playing.
Get frustrated, complain and let it ruin your day.
Pivot and roll with it.
The first choice is a rarity for me. The second used to be my standard response. But these days I think (I hope) I’m doing better at option three.
I used to be what doctors call “high-strung.” I guess I still am, but I’m trying to do better at tempering my reactions with calmness and reason. If faith guides your life, you may know what the Bible says about making plans.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. -Proverbs 16:9
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” -James 4:13-14
The second verse reminds me that life is short and it’s way too easy for me to overstate my own importance. For some of us, unexpected changes can really throw us off. I don’t want to spend fleeting days wishing they would have gone a certain way.
Here’s a good approach when the day goes sideways…in order…
Relax. Try not to react with a knee-jerk freak out. Take a deep breath. This one is the most important. You won’t be able to move on if you first can’t make yourself take a breath and relax.
Reschedule whatever got cancelled.
Reorder your day and week. Plan to do today what you were going to do tomorrow. Work ahead on stuff. It will work out.
Regroup yourself. Things get moved and that’s okay. This may require more deep breaths.
I think this can apply to just about anyone—the big boss, the manager, the stay-at-home mom or dad, the 8-5 employee, or the remote worker.
New Perspective
Today’s cancellations actually allowed me get caught up on some things I’ve been needing to do. It was a great opportunity to check some boxes on the important but not urgent items.
Handling life’s hiccups in a better way indicates maturity in our lives. Those around you will notice and appreciate the lack of tension in the air.
If we aspire to accomplish big things, hiccups are going to become a lot more common. It’s just the way of things. Not everyone is making it their personal goal to help you with yours. They have their own big things to do!
I wish everything always went the way I wanted it to go in the time I wanted it to happen. But we’ve all learned early that we just can’t count on that. I’m grateful for things we can count on, but smooth sailing is not one of them! That didn’t even happen for Jesus!1
So here’s to hoping your day goes well. Just try to keep in mind that just because it doesn’t go as planned, it can still be a good day.
