Process - Give it a Try!

I’ve been told that I tend to operate in a very logical, programmatic fashion. Not so much like a hard core programmer, but just enough that you can say I have a sequential sense. The very first thing that catches my eye in a new situation is to observe the process, or lack of it, and my sequential sense gets fixated on ‘fix it’ as the next step. So I start, refining/ fine-tuning/streamlining it, whatever label suits it most. But for all this there has to be existence of some process, broken or low quality doesn’t matter. And if you go a step before that, there has to be a need of a process. Now if you are questioning the co-relation between need and process, allow me to put my perspective on the table.

Let’s start with the basics. What is a process? It is a series of steps that you take in a certain order to achieve a certain outcome. So the need of achieving something is driving the very existence of a process. Let’s pause and think for a minute. If there is a one-time need, you figure out some steps, follow them as you discover, achieve what you are trying to, and then you have the luxury to erase that from your memory card. But what if it’s a need that might come up again? You might want to store the fragmented details, if not all of those steps, in your brain somewhere. Store and ignore! Next time you need it, dust it off, follow it, check if it works or not and use as it is or modify the steps. There, Voila! You are creating a process. So as per my understanding, it’s the repeated need to achieve a certain outcome that creates the case for establishing a process. Now that we have justified the need, think of your workplace or home. Do you follow any process? Have you created one? Have you ever felt the need of creating one? Has the absence of one frustrated you?

You will always have a mix of opinions when it comes to process. Some who just love it because of no need to invest your personal energy. Follow the established process and get it done. On the other hand, there are some who just can’t stand the prescriptive nature of it, the pause and red-tape that comes with it. So, I’ve always wondered if the anxiety comes from the process, the instructions to follow it, or is it over processing that kills the charm of its advantages? Let me make an attempt to simplify what I am trying to say here. For that, I need you to picture me and my 2 kids in a bowling alley 10 years ago. One who is 6, is very capable of lifting the lightest bowling ball :) and that just brings a beaming smile on his face. Other kid who is 4, barely has the circumference of bowling ball even with both hands in a knotted position and then there is me, fully capable of lifting a bowling ball, controlling the force of my throw. I can also to some extent predict my outcome but continue to secretly wish for a TURKEY but will settle with an occasional strike!

Me - who will take a gutter ball as a disrespect or question mark on my abilities but I refuse to have the bumpers. Why? Because I am seasoned, I’ve done this before. I don’t need those guard rails. I will steer my ball, give it a perfect spin and strike big. FYI – Currently you are listening to subdued thoughts in my head.

My 6 year-old - he doesn’t want any gutter ball either, resists for guard rails but finally gives in when sees the possibility of scoring something big. He observes me and other ‘seasoned’ people around us and gives it a shot. He scores. Sometimes bigger than other times.

My 4 year-old - she wants to score like me or at least like my 6 year-old, doesn’t want any guard rails, and just the idea of gutter ball itself is disappointment to her. So you don’t want to bring it up. Finally, she gives it a couple of attempts, ball goes a few feet and dwindles towards the gutter and finally plops in. With a long face, she admits rails should be ok. Now that hurdle is gone, we realize that the ball is too heavy. So on the staff’s recommendation, a bowling ball ramp is brought for her to get the sense of achieving the outcome of ‘hitting some pins’. She rolls a ball, hits 2 pins, rolls 2nd and hits 4 and by her 3rd ball, her confidence is empowering her ball and the score goes to 5 pins. Yes! That’s quite an achievement considering just a few minutes ago, she was just exhilarated if her ball made it to the end. After some time, we finish our outing with smiles and stories to tell.

Think of it, we all were following a process to achieve a certain outcome. Based on seasonality/experience, we modified a certain variable, like the weight of the ball, frame or no frame, guard rails or none. I, considering myself seasoned, find that process/technique so ingrained me in that I don’t need any visual tapes or pauses. So for me all of that is annoying and certainly unnecessary. My 6 years old is somewhat experienced as compared to younger one. He has seen it, he knows he can observe others and adjust a few things on the fly. My 4 year old, thanks to that frame/a tool that helped her, gave her some comfort and ease to get adjusted in the environment and hope to slowly learn it like him and eventually me. Looking at her score of 52, she was bouncing with joy and said “I don’t mind using that frame for few more times. Then I won’t need it like you.”

Let me ask you when you don’t welcome a process, is it because you are seasoned?  It could be simply because of the rigidity. If so, establish the process as guidelines, follow it. Think of young workforce trying to fit in, aiming to score something to gain that comfort, to build that confidence, get familiar with the technique. Even they won’t need visible rails after some time but until then respect it for their success. Give them some tips and tricks that you have learned over the years so they can fly sans frames soon. When they reach that ability, giving them a frame would be discouraging and would kill their enthusiasm and passion. Just tell them to hit the maximum number of pins, teach them the basic process, and step aside. Let them tilt their bowling ball, curve their hand, swing their arm, and focus an extra minute on the target as long as they are hitting the pins. And who knows, you might learn a trick or two from them to up your game. Give it a try!