Approaching 2017 like the Pinewood Derby
If you’ve read the Internet this year, 2016 has been tough for many people.
This is the first time in my adult life that I have palpably felt the negative emotions radiating through the glow of my computer screen. Yes, 2016 has been tough for many. This year, I have been guilty of putting my hope in misguided places. Politics instead of community, fulminating instead of dialoguing, focusing on the negative instead of the positive.
But in realty, this year has not been the worst of my life. No, there have been harder things than the 2016 news cycle. The divorce of my parents, loss of my grandfathers, unexpected career changes, the death of my best friend, financial struggle, deep personal rebirth. These are the things that come to mind when I think of tough years.
I recall my son’s pinewood derby this year. I think it is a good reminder for me for heading into 2017.
99% of the work happens before you ever show up to the race. The days, weeks, and months that people spend designing and building their car all lead to a 3 second race that determines the outcome — largely, solely dependant on gravity — a force that not even the greatest derby designer can control. The ones who come out on top are the ones that put in the work well before the day of the race.
I can do as much or as little work as I want to in 2017 — But at some point, I’ll have to drop the car.
In 2017, my resolution is to do the work. Test the car. Graphite the axle. Distribute the weight. And confidently drop the car — win or lose.
Once the car is dropped, the only thing that’s left is what you’ve put into it.
There is nothing else you can do.
Once you’ve cast your vote, you pop the popcorn. Once you write the report, you send the email. Once your kid walks out the door for college, he’s free.
My resolution this year is to do the work.
The news events of 2017 will not determine the abundance of my joy. I will not place my hope or misery in things I can’t control. My goal is to build a strong community, be a better father, be a better husband, and live an intentional life.
If my pursuit of minimalism has done anything for me, it has ripped off the bandaid of “things” that I have so diligently piled on top of my wounds. By clearing away the clutter, I have cleared away the blind spots that have often caused me to dangerously change lanes. 2017 will be as good as I make it, regardless of things I cannot control.
Do the work. Drop the car. Let it go.
Happy new year everybody.
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