Life is a series of puzzles
By: Maria Alejandra Bazante
There are qualities that are innate to every person in this world. What is mine you might ask? The gift to organize and plan quite literally anything. It’s a guilty pleasure and it has come in handy throughout my life in countless roles, personal and business.
My organizational and planning career began in preschool. My grandma and mom have recounted stories of them picking me after school only to find that I was picking up after all of the other kids.
The next role was a step up. I planned many adventures for the other kids on the block. We had a meeting point: the mango tree on the abandoned lot and on this tree, the branch you sat on determined your role. We had a vigilante, a snack fetcher, a trouble-maker and a leader; all very important roles and essential to the fun that we had every day after school.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered my love for puzzles. Not just the physical kind, like assembling a 1000-piece jigsaw in a day, but puzzles of the mind. In my career, no matter what role I was in, I found myself naturally drawn to improving processes—taking a chaotic situation and rearranging the pieces into something functional and efficient. It’s a challenge, much like solving a puzzle, where the end goal is always clarity and coherence.
Part of the process for each of these planning and organization projects involves getting a really good understanding of the process at hand. I like to dive in deep, ask questions, and then set up a methodology that will help me achieve my goal in the most efficient way possible.
I know that you might be thinking, “Type A alert”, but no. People may think that all planners and organizers are made the same way. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about making lists or arranging things in neat rows. The real power of being a great planner and problem-solver lies in the flexibility to approach challenges from different angles, the creativity to adapt, and the curiosity to dig deeper. After all, no puzzle is ever solved by following a single, rigid method—it’s about being open to finding new ways to fit the pieces together.
What if the thing you do without even thinking—something that comes so naturally to you—could be the key to your success? For me, it’s the art of organizing and planning, a skill I’ve used my entire life, sometimes without even realizing it. From childhood adventures to solving complex professional challenges, this gift has shaped my approach to both work and life. It’s not just about creating order; it’s about flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.
So, as you look at your own strengths, ask yourself: what comes naturally to you? You might just discover that your most effortless skill holds the key to unlocking your next big success.