Do Your Best — Then Relinquish Control
Sometimes, I find myself grappling with what some might call an obsession. But I see it as a mindset—one that fuels my focus and determination to see goals through to completion. In my daily life, this manifests as a constant checklist of tasks, prioritized and organized. This habit was born in my teenage years when I received my first leather-bound yearly calendar as a Christmas gift. I vividly remember writing everything down—every appointment, goal, and idea—and gradually, I began to see a clearer picture of my life in black and white. That simple act helped me balance my time, finances, and resources.
While I may not still carry that little black book everywhere, the principle remains. It became a reference point—a tool that helped me develop a healthy pattern of achievement. Over the years, as technology evolved, I transitioned from paper to digital. Today, my Google Calendar and a trusty notebook are my main tools. For major projects, I rely on spreadsheets to track finances, and Experian has been invaluable for improving my credit score. But the most important tool I use now is my handwritten budget. Each income period is linked to recurring expenses, and I seek balance. Priorities are set, decisions are made, all through this simple yet powerful technique.
My obsession today is my budget. It’s a practice of doing my best, then having faith by relinquishing control. This pragmatic, logical part of me often conflicts with a more faith-driven side—the belief that the universe or a higher power will provide. Trusting that the universe will deliver can be challenging for me at times.
This reflection isn’t about spirituality per se, but it’s hard to ignore how the two intersect. To relinquish control is, in essence, to have faith—faith in my colleagues, my family, and our institutions. Even when disappointment arises, the overall record shows that I can trust the process. So, why do I struggle to let go in the moment? Why is it so difficult to relax and release the mental weight of constantly making lists?
Looking back at my life, I see an upward trajectory—despite occasional setbacks, the peaks outnumber the valleys. Like the stock market, dips and downturns are part of the journey, but they’re always followed by growth and new heights.
I believe I’ve been conditioned to think I’m in control—that I must manage every detail. Today, I’m choosing to practice relinquishing that control.
In my professional life, I had an email I wanted to send to justify my point of view. But I was advised not to send it, and I’ve decided to trust that guidance. In my personal life, I wanted to organize some items exactly how I preferred, but I’ll let my sister decide where they should go. In my love life, I plan to let my partner choose the date this week, keeping my schedule open to whatever unfolds.
These are small steps, but they’re meaningful. The most challenging area for me to let go of is finances. Let’s face it—supply and demand curves tend to meet at some point. How can I surrender control over money to faith in the unknown? Is money even an illusion?
I could go down the rabbit hole with that question, but for now, I want to keep it simple: control is an illusion. Faith is a practice. Today, I aim to intersect my control curve with my faith curve and find a balanced place—where I can truly LET GO.
Conclusion: Five Ways to Practice Letting Go Today
Reflect on your own areas of control: Where are you holding on too tightly?
Choose one small thing to relinquish: Whether it’s a decision, a task, or an expectation—start small.
Trust the process: Have faith that things will unfold as they should, even if you don’t have all the answers.
Practice patience: Let go of the need for immediate control or certainty.
Share your journey: Connect with others who are practicing letting go—your insights might inspire someone else.
Remember: Control is an illusion. Faith is a practice. Today, I’m committed to finding that middle ground—where I can truly LET GO and trust the journey.
