I wrote last week about the fact that structure, properly used, can set us free to do what we really want to do. Knowing the intricacies of a musical composition so well that you’ve built muscle memory means that when you actually get up to perform you can focus on the performance. Your structure is in place; you can now build on that.
So, this past weekend I was once again in charge of the retreat breakfast for my wonderful, wonderful chorale. I would say there were at least 75 people there. It ain’t quite the same as running a Presidential campaign, but still!
Friday I really worked: got the shopping done, put together the ingredients for one set of breakfast casseroles, grated the cheese for the other ones (since there was no way I could get all of the prepared ones into the fridge), and put together the dry ingredients for the muffins (after arguing with myself about whether or not they were necessary and finally convincing myself to go ahead, which was a good thing). I didn’t get the car loaded up with the various accoutrements, but it was getting late and I was bushed. Saturday morning I was up and at ’em, got the casseroles going, got the muffins baked, got the car loaded, and was on my way before 7:30. I thought, ‘Wow, this is great!’ I’m going to be there well before 8:00, have plenty of time to set up, and can just sort of relax.
So I pulled into the parking lot and looked around. Hmmm. No one was unloading at the back door. I have a fellow Chorale member who always comes early to start her huge coffeepot, but she wasn’t there. She was also gong to pick up bagels on the way. Well, I started trucking things inside. My dear other co-worker, the head of the actual Member Services committee, was on hand, as usual, and helped me. Another woman came early and pitched in. The woman who always does the fruit came with her lovely stuff. But still no coffee person. We managed to get her on the phone. She had overslept. She was on the way. There was no time to make coffee with her equipment. So the early woman suggested going over to Dunkin’ Donuts and buying some of their big coffee containers, and that’s what we did.
And you know what? It was fine. Even the Flaming Napkin Incident did not derail us. The bagels arrived, we made decaf and hot water for tea, the DD coffee was good , and everyone got fed. Every single muffin was eaten (I should have made 48 instead of 36, but oh well), many of the bagels went, and except for one tiny portion all six casseroles were consumed. We had a great rehearsal, and our conductor let us go home early. (I always say that once we go past noon it’s just a waste of time: we’re tired and hungry, and after three hours, even with breaks, our concentration is shot.) It was a very successful event, even with a few glitches. (Believe me, there have been times when I was the one who got there late and was greeted with looks of relief.)
A great reminder to me that something always goes wrong but is always fixable and doable if you’ve prepared ahead. This week has its own challenges for me, as I’m sure it does for you. How can we get that structure in place ahead of time?