Forget What You Have Been Told, Do NOT Trust The Process

I've been told to "trust the process" more times than I can count [insert rolling eye emoji].

For someone that LOVES a process, I sure did HATE this saying.

This phrase is thrown around so often that I thought, I was missing something.

They knew something I didn't. That they had a process I had not yet discovered.

I really wanted to know what they meant, I wanted in on the secret.

In my head, I screamed, trust WHAT process? Give me the process, and then I'll test it, and then maybe, I'll trust it!

These are my visions, my ideas, my unique perspectives so if you don't know what those are... you DON'T have a process that I can trust.

Plus, I know I have the process (somewhere) inside my brain.

This is what the inner dialogue of being a (recovering) control freak sounds like.

I've tried really hard to give up control in some areas of business. To trust the people I've delegated to and trust whatever their process was/is.

The truth is, I'm not 100% there yet. I am not at a place where I can "let go and let God."

When I don't understand what the process is, but ultimately I'm responsible for the outcome, how can I just give that away and trust it?

If this sounds like you, there's still hope for us.

Recently, I decided to release my attachment to figuring out the process before trusting it.

I committed to trusting myself instead.

I committed to trusting the smart people I've hired.

After all, I hired them because they are smart, and I am smart enough to hire smart people.

I also figured I'd trust the millions of people who have uttered the words "trust the process".

Surely, they have got to be onto something... right? These cheesy sayings don't just come from nowhere...right?

I told myself that if I end up with an egg on my face, well then, at least I'll have learned something.

When I gave up the petty act of resisting advice without proof or evidence, I gave up resisting my opportunity for growth.

I accepted that any change or new horizon is going to lead to discomfort for my inner little control gremlin.

I took my power back and told myself, I am in control of how I react to these changes.

I reminded myself that I like a good challenge and these new things are just challenges I'll have to throw myself into, if not embrace.

I think that's what they mean. Embrace the discomfort and resist the urge to resist the reality of what's unfolding.

Maybe?

Maybe Not.

But I am also here to say... Don't trust the process.

In business, if it's yours, you are ultimately responsible. For everything.

That's a lot of pressure.

Sure, you want to release control and get beyond working IN your business, but maybe you're not there yet.

Maybe, it's ok to NOT trust the process. Maybe you DO have to create the process yourself.

But how?

First, don't blindly trust other people's processes.

If you're creating something new and it is important to you to have your blood, sweat, and tears stamped into it, then hell, don't give up that control.

Own the control.

But don't let the control own you.

Don't get in your own way or limit your opportunity for growth.

Start by trusting yourself.

Then commit to yourself, that you will define your own process.

If the goal is to trust the process, then you need to know what the process is.

If you want to get out from under your business and get back to running it you'll have to learn to trust.

Trust in YOUR process, not just any process.

Then train your people on your own process, so you can get better at trusting.

Did I unlock the mystery of the cliche "trust the process"? I don't think so.

But I did unlock a piece of me that was desperately holding onto something that has been holding me back.

I released the desire to be right and instead, focused on the desire to get beyond what has kept me stuck.

I am finding it easier to relax and figure out the process as it unfolds.

I can also satisfy my inner little control monster by documenting the process so that I can trust it, and own it so it doesn't own me.

If you're interested in learning more about trusting the process, and creating your own, reach out to me here or at systemsculturegrowth.com