“We enjoy the process far more than the proceeds” – Warren Buffet

I am starting realize that I too love the process more than I love the end result. Take for example, shaving. I used to loathe shaving and found it frustrating and annoying. But when I started to become interested in the process of shaving correctly, I began to embrace the process and look at shaving much differently.

When I began to really think about this whole ‘process’ thing, I remembered that it is rooted in my childhood. Legos. Oh boy, did I love me some Legos. I used to spend countless hours building and constructing massive sets of legos. I remember building castles, car carriers, and the infamous Fort Legoredo . However, when it came to playing with the finished construction, I just didn’t do it. I always quit at that point. I shelved the set and immediately looked for the next thing to build.

Another example of a process that I have grown to enjoy is the art of brewing coffee. I feel I have become somewhat a coffee snob. It is not to the point where I need to seek therapy, but rather where I can tell the difference, and prefer, coffee brewed using a french press over that brewed by a conventional coffee maker. More importantly, I love the process of converting whole coffee beans to a fresh, piping, hot cup of coffee – with a little more vested than just pressing the button on the Keurig. I have learned the art of the ‘bloom’ and also the importance of proper steep time and water temperature. In the end its coffee. But its a way for me to have more vested in the cup and to take a little more ownership in the final product. This process of making coffee has become a key staple in my morning routine and greatly sets the pace for the day. As does shaving.

Notice there is recurring statement here – “the art of …” which demonstrates a change in my mind about how I approach something. I have thoroughly loved the process of building and organizing but never really spent time playing or enjoying the fruits of my work. I greatly enjoy the process from idea to market yet, struggle greatly with what to do with it then. My bio/tagline says “I am a serial starter striving to be a faithful finisher. I love launching but fail to enjoy the creation. It appears to me that loving processes it a great attribute and one that I am thankful for. However, I am striving to include finishing and enjoying to my processes; I encourage those who share this struggle to do the same.

I end with a quote by one of the best college football coaches -Nick Saban. He is known for his approach to preparedness and execution. While I feel that Saban should enjoy the fruit of the process a little more, he nonetheless understands the importance of creating and executing such a process. A process that works but one that he is not afraid to tweak:

“We’re not going to talk about what we’re going to accomplish, we’re going to talk about how we’re going to do it.” (source)

Evaluate your processes. Broaden them. Execute them. Most importantly, Enjoy them. For this is the art ofFinishing.