Nicaragua: Gonna sing the words wrong

October 26, 2014

Nicaragua: Gonna sing the words wrong

Perfectionism. It is one of my defining character traits. At times it can be a strength; other times it is my biggest downfall.

As a perfectionist, high standards accompany my goals, and I am unsatisfied unless a job is completed to its fullest potential. As a perfectionist, my trust issues manifest themselves in my difficulty delegating tasks and giving up control to others. As a perfectionist, I put in extra hours fretting over minuscule details and worrying about how to achieve a flawless outcome. To the outside observer it may appear that as a perfectionist, I waste a lot of energy.

This past week we held our Departmental Business Plan Competition and selected the winning team which will represent our region at the National Competition in November. Since it was my second year pulling off this event, I had a better idea of how to go about organizing it as well as what to expect when all was said and done. I worked closely with the Ministry of Education to organize it all, and I was content with the level of support I received from them as well as with my level of trust in their abilities to make the event happen.

One of the guest judges I invited to our event was a fellow volunteer who came in from another community. In his first year and currently working to organize his first competition, he seized the opportunity to pick a "veteran" volunteer's brain. "How does this year compare to last year for you?" he asked me.

"I stressed myself out a lot less this time," I told him. "I understood that the event would not go according to my idea of 'perfect.' I kept realistic expectations, and I am content with the results."

Let's compare: Last year I agonized for weeks over fundraising, making sure students were prepared to compete, and securing logistics for the event; this year I left most of it up to my counterparts. I fully expected to be scrambling at the last minute to set up the sound system and to start presentations an hour later than scheduled because we had to wait for teams to arrive. Not all of the business plans were complete, nor were all of the presentations worthy of a perfect score, but I recognized and appreciated the effort that each person contributed. The competitive nature of the event got the best of some students and teachers, but I did not let their reactions get the best of me this time. Some of my adjusted expectations this year were simply due to a better understanding of "how the way life works around here."

This experience (be it a business plan competition, Peace Corps service, or life in general) is all a learning process, and I reckon the best learning opportunities result from identifying our imperfections. The challenge that follows involves being attentive to our reactions and deciding how to respond to our flaws. As a perfectionist, that has required me to not be so hard on myself, to better accept criticism, and to especially have patience when working with others. We're gonna make it after all.

Photos from the 2014 Departmental Competition:

"Chilnic": a spicy condiment to add pizazz to your food.

"Picnica": Another spicy salsa.

"Tostones Fast": Packaged plantains ready to fry.

"Jarabe Tos Fri": Cough syrup.

"Mascary Natural": Face mask.

"Transtuali": Mouthwash.

"Carga Cell": Portable cell phone charger.

"Carga Cell": Portable cell phone charger. Useful for when there are power outages or when you find yourself in a place that doesn't have electricity.