Sometimes wins are big and elaborate. And others are significant in their smallness. This week was one of the latter.

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From the Babylon Bee: Man Taken Up Into Heaven After Stopping Gas Pump Exactly On The ‘.00’:

A local man has been taken up directly to heaven after managing to miraculously stop a gas pump exactly on the “.00” while filling up his car, sources say.

Cue rueful chuckle with a tinge of sorrow.

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When I saw this, I was struck by how perfectly it illustrates OCD for me. Granted, it’s intended as a joke, but it is so close to the truth that plays in my mind, and of many I know.

Scrupulosity is a form of OCD that I describe as perfectionism with the constant threat of eternal damnation. This is my flavor.

In many ways, it is the other end of the stick of this joke. In almost every endeavor, there is a “right” way, a “pure” way to do it. Failing to find and perform that means you are fast-tracked for hell.

This also illustrates OCD because we know these thoughts are ridiculous. Rationally, we can’t swallow what our brain claims and demands. But sometimes, its grip is too strong, and we find ourselves bowing down to serve the compulsions, all the time hating ourselves for our weakness.

So, yes, we will join with you in laughing at a hyperbolic joke. But we’ll hurt a little on the inside too.

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My update this week builds on the experience I had last week and shares a new metaphor I identified to help navigate OCD.

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A new book is coming out soon, and it will be a fantastic resource to anyone wanting to build better software. Written by Michael Angeles, Leon Barnard, and Billy Carlson, this will share knowledge and insights from some of the best in the business.

A product design book written for everyone on a software team, regardless of size or configuration. See how wireframes can help teams design better together and learn how to design and communicate better by focusing on structure instead of pixels.

You’ll want to sign up to be notified when it’s available on the Balsamiq website.

This week I share a painful therapy experience when I came to recognize the compulsions in my mind.

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A recurring theme in my writing is acknowledging and allowing emotions. It can be so easy to swing between the extremes or being ruled by emotions, and disallowing and discounting them completely. I loved this clip from Jocko about finding the middle ground, and respecting emotions while not allowing them to take over.

This week, I share the surprising story of how I found a new client, and learned (again!) to sit with my emotions.

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After finishing my first time through The Focus Course, I realized that I need to improve my ability to rest and recover. I made a goal to figure out personal retreats. There was a great workshop available as part of my Accelerator membership, and as I started watching, I realized that sketchnoting would help me understand and retain what I was learning. Here’s the result.

This week’s update shares acknowledging disallowed emotions, a small win in the kitchen, and my reaction to making goals.

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The story of an unexpected gift, and the intense emotions it stirred up.

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