VIII.16.2019 - The Not-So-Simple Art of Letting Go
My MacBook Pro died an inconvenient death. I killed it when I spilled my drink on it. This is the second time that I have tortured a laptop but the first time was not fatal.
I acquired my MacBook when I started my business three years ago. It was the computer upon which my new enterprise was built. While I backed up client files, this machine housed passwords, PowerPoint decks and other essential resources that I used daily. It was also the machine that brought me comfort. I knew the MacOS and software like the back of my hand. That meant that I could work fast, focused and smart in my quest to drive profitable growth. The problem, aside from the lost files that were not included in my backup routine, is that I became far too comfortable with this one platform. I felt vulnerable when my MacBook died because it symbolized my entrepreneurial skills and I felt like I had been disconnected from my ability to produce. I was terrified.
I did not handle the situation well. My father has always said, “…it’s not the situation that matters, it’s how you react to the situation that matters.” I’m working on that. After two days of grieving my loss, it dawned on me — the computer did not define my success, it is a tool that facilitates my success. I am successful because of my talent, my abilities, my hard work, my focus and my dedication. That was the moment that I was able to let go. I will always hold a special place in my heart for that MacBook and I even considered a Viking funeral (but that’s a story for another time).
I picked up my iPad Pro and opened Word. It is a completely different experience on an iPad. At first, it was frustrating. I kept reaching for a mouse that wasn’t there. But, eventually, I became accustomed to using the touch screen and the efficiency of that feature. I started to realize that if I could get the hang of using the new, mobile platform, I could actually work without losing productivity. I am getting a new MacBook Pro to add to my toolkit but I am confident that I could go with the iPad and my iMac if that was not an option. This experience helped me realize how important it is to be agile and versatile. The ability to adapt to changing situations is a learned skill that I’m beginning to understand much better. Opportunities and growth do not come with manuals.
Intellectually, I accept how important it is to recognize the need to change. I coach clients in that regard. Moving forward in response to an overwhelming (in my case, self-inflicted) problem is another issue altogether. I now have a deeper understanding about the emotional baggage that clutters the path forward. I lost my confidence. I forgot that I am capable of letting things go, adapting and growing. Sometimes, we need a reminder — a ripple in our routine and time — to accept our right to fail without excuses. A spilled drink, a pooched computer and finding a way to keep my commitments. That was my learning.