Happy New Year.
It is an excellent time to turn the page and start fresh. People take different approaches. Many set resolutions and goals for the new year. They plan to change their ways and improve themselves. Others blanch at the idea of such silly rituals. It is a divisive topic.
My thought is to do whatever you want. Don’t let others talk you into or out of either philosophy.
I will tell you what I plan to do.
I plan to let go. Recently, I was confronted by somebody who said Justin and I got involved too often in too many of the minor details at Willmar Electric. I have come to believe they are right.
Before you get too excited and think this will be great, Dave Chapin won’t be sweating the small stuff, so I should warn you. I still plan to let people know when mistakes are made or when things fall through the cracks.
I don’t plan to be involved upfront in so many things. I also don’t plan to concern myself when things aren’t done exactly the way I would do them.
Let me give you some examples. Details I plan to continue to “worry about” include the quality of people’s work, whether they follow the correct procedures, and whether they live up to the group’s standard. If not, I will say something and expect them to correct the course.
I won’t worry about details like what’s on the event menu or who teaches which items at company meetings.
You might be asking yourself what caused this revelation. Being forced to miss a few meetings gave me a light bulb moment.
I could not attend my brother’s surprise party, which I had been looking forward to for weeks. However, I understand that people still had fun, and the event happened without me. Every deal was taken care of.
A group I was leading at work had a meeting without me. After the meeting, I was sent the notes. A lot was accomplished, and the mission advanced—without me.
Several other examples happened that week.
A recent devotional I read discussed having a Sabbath Rhythm. It mentioned the Biblical command requiring us to take a weekly Sabbath—a day to honor God. However, in addition to being obedient, the lesson highlighted other benefits of taking a Sabbath.
It helps you understand that God is in control. He provided manna for the Israelites to last through the weekend and provide for our needs.
Worrying about every detail of everything not only wears you out, but it also wears out the people around you. We all have different gifts and talents. In 2025, I plan to let others use theirs.
I want to do it in a way that allows other people to succeed and feel valued, allowing me to practice the core value of treating others the way I want to be treated.
(I could have written a blog about the musical Frozen, but I decided to let that one go).
Happy New Year.
