The Next Right Step

Type A’s. We like to think we have life mapped out. We find comfort in creating plans and getting things done. We take pride in thinking things through and being prepared for any variable. So when life rocks the boat, we are more likely to be the ones who fall out because we rarely leave room in all our plans for a few unexpected waves.

When the water gets rough and we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, we beat ourselves up for it because we weren’t prepared. Ironically, we are usually are prepared for every imaginable possibility but one: failure.

I’ve found my sea legs.

I’ve been there—too many times to count.  I’m one of those Type A planners with my calendar, and my bullet-points, and all the plans for all the things. But after getting knocked out of the boat and pulling myself back in multiple times over the years, I’ve found my sea legs. I still have to remind myself to give and take a little with the rhythm of life. To breathe a little. To take my eyes off the destination every now and then to just enjoy the view right where I am.

We can have peace without a map. It may not be our instinct, but we can do it. As a recovering perfectionist, I’m mostly navigating with my compass alone—just making sure I’m still headed in the right direction. That’s important to me. Otherwise, I resist the pressure to have the entire course charted.

I actually crave time in the open sea to reflect and feel the waves. I don’t want to be in a speed boat flying like a missile across the top of the water anymore. I’d rather dangle my legs over the side and get my feet wet. It’s important for Type A’s to know, to really understand, that we don’t have to have everything all figured out for ourselves and everyone we love all the time. Where’s room for God in all of that?

There’s wisdom in this advice from Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks:

When in doubt, just take the next right step.

Try it. Rather than being overwhelmed with all the planning and all the doing and all the fixing and “what if’s”, see if you can identify and focus on one thing: the next right step. Find respite in a slower, more deliberate pace. Endeavor to be fully present so you don’t get ahead of yourself. And friend, just take the next right step.