In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Alexander woke up with gum in his hair … and then it got worse.
Last Friday, when I opened my email and had three urgent issues to address, I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. And just like Alexander’s day, then it got worse.
Internal mistakes required immediate apologies. Misunderstandings needed clarification. Program concerns that come with working in difficult business environments required action. Additionally, my daughter Lili was in surgery. And I was traveling.
Never have I had more challenges in a single day at HOPE. I hope I never have a day like that again!
Most days we expect a challenge or two—but how do we respond to an onslaught? How do we react when each new challenge feels like it multiplies all the previous ones?
Though I’m no expert and am still learning, here are five things I’ve found helpful in facing significant organizational challenges:
- Assume positive intent. When responding to problems, it’s easy to assume others actually meant to cause harm. Don’t. Instead operate under the assumption that those involved were trying to do what was right. (Thank you Mark Conklin for teaching me this one.)
- Never blame. Playing the blame game makes everyone a loser. It’s counterproductive in finding solutions. Refuse to pin problems on others. Instead collectively work to find the best solutions. There will be a time for an after-action review to properly assess what went wrong, but don’t spend immediate energy amid the challenge on anything other than resolution.
- Fix systems and structures … not just problems. Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, ensure every response addresses the root cause—not just symptoms. Unless you correct structural issues, you’re setting yourself up for tomorrow’s disasters.
- Go to bed. Problems are magnified when you’re low on fuel. Last week I’d had too little sleep. My eyes were blurry as I tried to work on the right responses. Instead of trying to plow through another problem, I was actually more productive after a good night’s rest.
- Pray. I don’t understand the mystery of prayer. But I know it’s a gift, and it matters. Coming to the end of our abilities is a spiritually healthy place. Without God’s divine intervention, we’ll never have what we need to do our work. I found myself praying “I don’t know what to do, and I need Your help” repeatedly on Friday as I clung to the promise of Christ: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Lastly, it’s healthy to remember that just like Alexander, our definition of what constitutes a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day shows just how fortunate (spoiled?) we are. The situation could always be much worse. Challenging days and seasons can serve as little reminders of just how good we actually have it.
What am I missing? How do you respond to your no good, very bad days?
February 19, 2013
This is helpful counsel, Peter. For me number 5 is the biggest, most important (and yet often most overlooked). I rush to fix and realize half way through, as I’m petering out of energy and ideas and patience, oh yeah … shoot, i didn’t pray. I’m trying to do all this on my own strength and I am HUMAN. I also like #1–positive intent. Few people maliciously, intentionally flub things up. Most people are doing their best, as you say.
February 20, 2013
Thanks, Karen, for your encouragement. Prayer does radically change my heart and my perspective during challenges. Days like these help me more fully recognize my limits … and pray His power would be made perfect in my weakness.
March 1, 2013
Great tips Peter! For me, #1 is huge. It’s so easy to immediately go to the worst case scenario, but I’ve found, usually through hindsight that most people aren’t trying to do harm. They may be frustrated and venting, but usually there’s a good reason if you take the time to understand where they’re coming from. I’m also learning the wisdom of having folks that have a really positive and optimistic view of things that I can talk through issues with before reacting in a way I later wish I hadn’t. And yes, I’m trying to get in the habit of praying first, not after I’ve stuck my foot (or email) in my mouth!
March 14, 2013
I found your blog through supporting Hope International.
Great tips! If I have anything to add, I’d bump up prayer to the top of the list. Prayer is so powerful and it gets us to see things better and recognize and trust in God’s great plan.
After all we can do more than pray, after we have, but we cannot do more than pray until we have prayed (Pilgrim’s Progress author, John Bunyan)
I pray God will continue to bless others through HOPE and your other ministries.
April 16, 2013
Thank you for your encouragement, prayer, and partnership with HOPE! Also, I appreciate your thoughts on the blog – prayer is essential, and you’re right – it should be top of the list.