On Structure

At some point, I started telling my bosses I work best with structure.  It felt like I was admitting a weakness, that I couldn't operate without rules or guidance.  But today I think that structure is inherently necessary.  More than that, it's necessary to deliberately plan and build that structure. 

Much as a clematis benefits from a trellis, people benefit from rules, routines, and norms.  Even those that push boundaries need the boundaries themselves, or what would they be pushing?  Take away the intentionally placed trellis, and a vining plant simply spreads, until it finally reaches some kind of structure, which could be completely undesirable. 

So rather than feeling bad that I require structure, I need to embrace and define that requirement, to ensure I grow in the right direction and grab on to the correct supports.  Others will not only acknowledge my need, they'll thank me and put in that trellis.