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Finding Peace in Chaos - Building Your Team

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This article is part of a series on finding peace in everyday chaos. It may be better to start from the beginning.

It was time to tell my boss the truth.

We were a few days away from deploying a major architecture change that was the result of months of effort and hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment. My team was responsible for the user interface, the parts that everyone would see.

We weren’t ready.

Issue after issue had been uncovered and addressed. Each fix opened the door for more bugs. We were being crushed under the weight of my snap decisions to simply survive the latest crisis.

I had tried to be a hero. I had tried to shield other teams from challenges that were “our problem” and now I had a choice: release a project I didn’t believe was ready or get help.

I remember the feeling of weight being lifted from my shoulders as I walked through the situation with my boss and other stakeholders.

We got the project back on track and while some features were delayed we were successful in the end. The real victory was the lesson the project taught me.

The Lone Ranger was a fool.

The trap of trying to be the hero of my story has caught me countless times. I fail again and again to find peace in everyday chaos but every time God shows me what His peace looks like and where my heart needs conversion to accept it I take off running, confident that I’ve cracked the code and this time I’ll catch the peace I’ve been chasing.

That never works.

Real peace is a fragile gift that must be received with humility, docility, meekness, and gratitude. Any egocentric attempt to chase, earn, or manufacture peace only adds more weight to the crushing reality that we cannot save ourselves.

The best way I’ve found to avoid relying too much on myself is the same thing that saved my project at work: asking for help.

Every day I strive to reject the temptation to see myself as the hero of my story. I have recruited a team to help me, a team of which I’m the weakest link, the hapless fool who depends on the wisdom and charity of others.

Who’s on my team?

First, I’ve recruited members of the Communion of Saints. When I can’t find peace at work or with my family, I turn to St. Joseph. He knows how to use labor to purify the soul. He never loses sight of Jesus amid family life. He faithfully shows me where to look and what to let go of to find the peace I’ve set aside.

When service as a deacon becomes a chore, when selfishness spoils my charity, and when fear robs me of good humor I turn to St. Lawrence. He reminds me that life is lived to be lost well. He helps me find peace in giving myself away.

What saints or angels do you have a relationship with? Jesus’ mother Mary is a great friend. Your confirmation saint, patron saint of your profession, and guardian angel ought to be on speed dial. When peace is elusive, ask your team for help in the moment

Second, I’ve cultivated relationships with a spiritual director, my spouse, and a handful of friends. Every few days, weeks, or months I check in to hear their perspective and to make sure I’m not too deep in my own head.

What trusted advisors have you recruited? Who can you talk to about your spiritual goals and the obstacles that you struggle to overcome? Your pastor, a spiritual director, your spouse, or a spiritual friend may help in this way as long as they can listen without making the situation about themselves. A good advisor helps you see your biases and assumptions while encouraging you toward holiness.

The Lone Ranger will never find peace in everyday chaos. After you have gotten a vision for success and have started seeking conversion in your heart then you need to assemble a team of trusted advisors. Then you will be ready to begin your journey.

Ready to keep pursuing peace in everyday chaos? There's no way to do that without acceptance of reality.
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