_*The art of letting go: Balancing Excellence with Grace.*_ Dear Journal, One of the challenges of being a meticulous person is the constant urge to push people beyond their limits—to impose my thoughts, ideas, and expectations on them. But life, in its essence, is about flexibility. And while this isn’t an excuse for mediocrity, it’s a reminder that people are different, and their results won’t always mirror mine. I’ve always been detail-oriented, goal-driven, and laser-focused on execution. At the start of my career, I had a clear mental picture of how I wanted things to be—down to the last dot. If even the tiniest detail fell short, I’d get frustrated, often dismissing the hard work that had gone into the bigger picture. It felt like a wasted effort, and I unknowingly projected that frustration onto those I worked with—my colleagues, superiors, and those reporting to me. It didn’t just affect projects; it affected relationships too. I had a rigid mindset about how things should be—at work, in friendships, with family, in every area of life. And when things didn’t go as planned, it threw me off balance. But life isn’t a scripted movie—it’s filled with spontaneity, detours, and different perspectives. I’ve come to realize that while excellence is a standard worth striving for, perfection isn’t always the goal. People are different. Their approaches, thought processes, and execution styles will differ. And that’s okay. What matters is clear communication—painting the vision in a way that others can see, understand, and run with it. It’s unfair to fault people for something they don’t fully grasp, yet we often expect them to just “get it.” That’s how frustration builds—on both sides. So, I’ve learned to navigate this differently. First, I pray about it. Then, I communicate as plainly and openly as I can. Writing things down has become my best friend—documenting expectations removes assumptions and sets clear directions. And most importantly, I’ve learned to leave space for creativity. When people understand the vision but are also free to bring their unique strengths to the table, everyone thrives. This shift in mindset has made me a much happier person. I’ve grown from being rigid, frustrated, and constantly dissatisfied to someone who embraces collaboration, values relationships, and understands that growth happens when we allow room for others to shine. Here’s to striving for excellence while extending grace—to others and to ourselves. Love, _Aby 💕_