In both my personal and professional life, I am a process person. I am a creature of habit and get the “hives” or break out into a cold sweat when things are chaotic, cluttered, or out of order. Now, making sure all the screws on light switches and electrical outlets in my house are facing in the same direction may be a bit over the top, but I like order. It’s interesting I am also a visionary. Usually those who are visionary aren’t process oriented and vice versa.  Somehow, I ended up with both characteristics.

I like systems, processes,  and standardized procedures. It makes life simple and satisfying. When it comes to promoting life balance, processes and habits are essential. They save time, money, energy, and result in rhythms, reliable routines, and a restful and relaxing environment. A process is a systematic series of actions directed to some end, a course of action, a procedure or system. Habits are acquired behaviors regularly followed until they become almost involuntary. A particular practice, pattern or routine.

When things aren’t in order rather than feeling restful or at rest, I feel restless and quite frankly a bit resentful. Collaborating with coworkers who blow off following process and just want to go with the flow is frustrating. In my experience ignoring or failing to follow process in nearly every instance result in more work, having to clean up the mess created and left behind than if things had been done right the first time.

Yes, process can at times come across as rigid and all about rituals, rules and regulations. In religious circles many use the term legalism which is not at all what that means and is a misapplication of the word. I find that when I follow processes and rely on them, it leads to order and a balanced life. God is a God of order; His creation is all about order. Scripture is peppered with passages that prescribe and promote order.

There are those who would argue that a focus on process squelches spontaneity, creativity and innovation. I think the opposite is true, process and order in my opinion and experience opens the way for creative juices and innovation to flow. I picture this like a river. Without riverbanks water is not channeled well and can be destructive. Routines, habits and process are the riverbanks that allow creativity to flow and be channeled properly, producing powerful and positive results.  

For me process and healthy habits leads to rest, resilience, and resourcefulness, and creates the balance and time we need to enjoy life and pursue what is most important including cultivating robust relationships. Ok now what? Oh yeah, I need to do a sweep of the house and make sure all the screws on my light switch covers are lined up correctly. Just kidding…Not really.

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