In a few weeks, many blessed families across America will gather over an immense spread of culinary delights. There will be a fresh roasted turkey filled with delicious homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, fresh rolls, gravy, and desserts galore. The quintessential Thanksgiving dinner.
We’ve all seen the pictures of the fantastic 12 ft. tables filled from end to end with a wonderful Thanksgiving feast—and some of us have been lucky enough to enjoy that feast. But have you ever stopped to really think about all the preparation that went into the meal?
Preparing for a typical Thanksgiving meal involves a lot of details, including:
- Making lists. The grocery list as well as a general outline of food preparation.
- Buying ingredients. If you are not a fan of grocery shopping to begin with, then grocery shopping during the holidays won’t be any better for you—but it must be done!
- Devising a cooking plan. Unless you have a triple-decker convection oven, chances are you need to schedule out when you cook what. For example, the pumpkin and pecan pies might need to be baked earlier in the day if you need the oven available for the turkey and stuffing.
- Having a backup plan. Always have a backup plan just in case. What if the oven goes out, or the rolls don’t rise? Plan for the best, but prepare for the worst.
- Recruiting help. It’s always nice to have a few extra hands helping for a Thanksgiving meal, especially if preparing a particular dish isn’t your forte.
- Preparing the food. Preparing, cooking, cooling (if applicable), and plating.
- Enjoying the results. After showcasing the final spread for all your family and friends, take the time to stop, relax, and enjoy the finished product.
7 Lessons from Thanksgiving Dinner
When you stop to think about it, there are many lessons we can glean from a perfectly executed Thanksgiving dinner and apply to many tasks and projects in our personal, professional, and organizational lives. Here are seven:
- Make a list. For every minute you spend preparing, you reduce the amount of time the task takes. Making a list can provide you with direction and keep you on task. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
- Gather necessities. Make sure you have what you need to finish the job, no matter what the job may be.
- Devise a plan. A plan of action can strengthen your resolve as well as help you succeed. A plan takes out the guesswork and allows you to do exactly what you need. Planning typically saves time and money personally and professionally. “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Have a backup. Nobody is perfect, and plans often fall apart, so it is important to have a backup. Always consider the alternatives available and be aware of your options.
- Seek help. Be willing to accept help when it is needed. Never let pride interfere with your ability to succeed. “We all understand the importance of asking for help, but those who achieve big things are the ones who accept it when it’s offered.” – Simon Sinek
- Do the work. A plan will only take you so far. In order to succeed, you must be willing to do the work. “There is no substitute for hard work.” – Thomas A. Edison
- Celebrate your successes. After all that hard work, take time to enjoy. Never be so concerned with the task that you lose focus on what is important in life. Always remember what is truly important, and make time for those things.
In a few weeks, when you enjoy your own Thanksgiving celebration with your friends and family, keep these lessons in mind. With the right mindset, you can learn valuable lessons in any situation.
I would love to hear your different versions of Thanksgiving traditions. Leave a comment and let me know what makes your Thanksgiving holiday unique!
