I love to plan! When I remember a situation, I am able to predict the outcome of certain situations.

I used to think it was helpful when planning trips or events but I have learned that not everyone has the same memory I do and wants to have input in the situation.  I have to sit back and bite my tongue knowing the outcome. 

Truth be told, I don’t always bite my tongue and end up trying to “sell my idea”.  When my ideas are not taken, and the outcome is how I predicted, I am so frustrated!  I want so bad to say “see, I was right” or “that’s why I pushed my idea so hard”.  However a nice “told you so attitude” is not helpful. 

On the other hand, there are other people that have different gifts  like to take a shopping list, and being able to split it up so everyone spends the same thing.  Being aware of what things cost and budget is a great gift.  Just because I am a “numbers person” doesn’t mean I have that gift.  I can take a pile of numbers, after the fact, slice and dice them.  Budgeting however, is just not my gift.

Listening is another great gift and figuring out what different people want, to try to come up with a plan that makes most people happy.  I literally have to work on this. I usually jump straight to the answer and don’t have the patience to discuss things over and over. 

Meanwhile as we navigate through life, we tend to squash our gifts instead of share with others. What I wish for is more collaboration, and less stress.  The ultimate goal being to make this plan better than last time, maximizing our time, talents and money while  walking away with great happy memories, even better than before.
What is your gift?