Choosing a Fitting Analogy

Analogies can be very helpful when it comes to understanding our role in a project.  For instance, do you see yourself as out in front or behind the scenes?  Are you a trail blazer or a team player?  Sometimes an appropriate analogy can help you think clearly about the present and plan for the future.

The analogy I have been thinking about for this season is that of being on an expedition.  In a race, the goal is to get from point A to point B faster than any of the other contestants.  An expedition is not about speed but success (and in some cases, survival).  Here are some of the more crucial elements of an expedition:

Planning - This is a season to do your homework.  You hunt for relevant resources that will help you to prepare well (materials, people, etc.).  Once you feel you understand the situation as best you can, you decide what steps you will take to move forward toward your goal. 

Execution - You begin taking the steps outlined in your preliminary plan.  You will want to find some way to document these steps in order to effectively incorporate the next two crucial elements.

Evaluation - You must regularly evaluate your progress.  Are your planning and execution moving you toward your goal.  If not, is there a problem in your planning and/or execution? 

Adjustment - As a result of your evaluation, what adjustments need to be made in your planning and execution in order for you to reach your end goal.

Being a bit of a driven person, it is helpful for me to think of our work in this way.  In a race, sprinting toward the finish line can be entirely appropriate.  During an expedition, intentional plodding is preferable.  Both inaction and rash action can take you off course.  Teamwork is also an essential element of a successful expedition.

Ask for wisdom for us as we continue to engage in this process.