At work and at home, there are days when it feels like everything I am trying to do is impossible...like trying to nail jello to a tree.

I'm reflecting today on this, as it's a feeling I've had more and more often lately. So many nights where I've gone to bed feeling like I was lucky to make it through the day in one piece.

My brain has been just exhausted from trying to keep things together all day, working with so many different types of people and so many challenges.

It doesn't matter if I am at home or at work...

My boys are growing up and they are forming more and more of their own opinions. They have totally different ways of seeing things and rarely agree on a common approach to solve a problem.

Both of them come up with great ideas that will do the job, but getting them to agree on which path to take can definitely be a challenge.

As much as I want to force them to agree and work together, it's just not possible. The jello slips off the nail and pools on the ground in a sticky, gooey pile.

It's frustrating to listen to them argue, especially after a long day at work where I've already spent so much time and mental energy trying to gain alignment with people all across our organization to solve business issues.

I just want peace, quiet and harmony for a few hours before the next day when the chaos begins all over again.

But it's really not up to me. They are supposed to figure out some of this all on their own. And sometimes, I have to know to just walk away and let them work it out.

When faced with what feels like an impossible situation where I can't get everyone to agree, what's my best course of action? Do I stand by that tree and keep trying to nail the jello to it?

An exercise in futility if there ever was one....

It's difficult to not get frustrated in a situation where we can't get people to agree. It's human nature to push our ideas and opinions on others. Putting ourselves in their shoes and really stepping back and listening to what they are saying is not instinctual for us.

However, the times when I've been most successful in working with my boys, or with teams at work, have been when I've been able to come to the situation with the appreciation that all of these unique perspectives will ultimately contribute to finding the very best solution. Or at the very least, teach us a life lesson.

In a way, I'm writing this to give myself some advice that I need to hear right now. But, I am also sure that I am not the only one who struggles with this, regardless of the different stages of life we are in.

A few simple things that I think can help:

• Take a deep breath and try to step out of the chaos and see the beauty in each situation.

• Be grateful for the different opinions and perspectives that will help you find the right solution.

• Appreciate the perspective from the children who are just finding their way in life. They may have a simpler view of things.

• Listen and learn from the experiences of people at all levels of your organization. In my particular case at work, they are faced with an entirely new situation that is beyond their control as well.

• Know when to walk away if it's a situation where they can figure it out themselves.

And above all else, realize that we are all in this crazy, beautiful life together. No one has it all figured out. Underneath it all, we are just people.

Just people trying to make it, falling down as we go, and doing our best to get back up.

And every once in awhile...getting it right.

#grateful #beautifullife #breathe #lovemyboys #riseabove #resilience #worklifebalance #perspective