Back to the Drawing Board
Have you ever worked hard on a project, one you were excited and proud of your accomplishments, only to be told you missed the mark? This happened to me recently and I had to step back and take a hard look at my why. Normally, the saying “back to the drawing board” means an effort has failed and you need to begin again. Read on for another perspective.
I had been working daily on a project for the last six weeks. I poured my heart into making it feel right. Then last week I spent a 13-hour day tweaking and completing each portion until it was perfected, and frankly, thank the Lord, finished. I was tired but energized and did the “happy” dance around the house. I couldn’t have been more proud.
A few days later my daughter was over and I asked if she would be willing to look through my project and provide feedback. Within 10 minutes she sat down and kindly said, “Why would I pay for this when you provided me with all the answers up front?” My first reaction was to defend my work, then I decided I needed to listen to what she had to say. She’d give me an example and I’d tell her my reasoning then she’d rebuttal and give me hers. After a few short minutes I knew she was one hundred percent right. I wasn’t looking at it from an outsiders perspective. I was looking at it from mine and she quickly pointed out the project wasn’t about me, it was about serving my community.
We sat for the next 30 minutes brainstorming ideas on how to make it better. We laughed and disagreed until it felt right for both of us. I left the discussion feeling energized with a new and improved direction. I appreciated her honesty even though it was hard to hear. Sometimes we are so close to a situation we can’t see the forest for the trees.
If you ask someone for feedback try to listen with your whole heart. Everything may not resonate with your plan, but be open to receive the information based on the person’s experience. If we can remove the ego from the equation, we can learn so much from listening. I’m not suggesting to change your whole plan, I’m encouraging you to step into their shoes and look at things from a new perspective.
Although initially I felt disappointed and defeated, I was open enough to welcome a differing opinion and take suggestions for improvements. What I created wasn’t a fail, it was a first draft for the new and improved offering. “Back to the drawing board. Isn’t the drawing board the place where the best work happens? It’s not a bad thing to go back there, it’s the entire point.” - Seth Godin. I have a new set of blueprints to use in updating and creating something for my community that’s even better. I was reminded my why was you.
xoxox…..sheryl