When I was five years old, my kindergarten teacher told my
mom that she (my mom) must be a perfectionist. Curiously, my mom asked “Why?’
to which Ms. Lawyer replied, “Because your son is.” Apparently, in everything I
did, from coloring to cutting construction paper, it HAD to be perfect! In
fact, if it wasn’t perfect, I would just give up and stop trying altogether. While
every other kid proudly displayed projects scribbled in crayon and looking like
they had been cut out with a butter knife, I had nothing. At five, perfection
didn't get you much.
About ten years ago, I decided that it was time for me to go
talk to someone very close to me about being a perfectionist. I was going to
share my own life experiences with him and see if I could get him to understand
how much he needed to change; to stop being such a perfectionist. So, on that
day, I went home, found a mirror and started the conversation. Wow, not easy.
Fast forward to today and you would discover, oddly enough,
that I still believe in perfectionism. But, I’ve modified the definition. In
fact, you might say that my new definition of perfection is PERFECT. First, the old definition:
Perfection (n) -the quality or state of being perfect. Now, my new definition:
Perfection (n) -the quality or state of being perfect ENOUGH. How’s that?
If you apply the old definition to your life, it’s easy to
see that you end up without a job, without someone to live life with, without a
home, without a car, without anything important. You see, perfectionism STILL
gets you nothing. So how does this apply to you? Easy! Stop searching for
PERFECT and instead search for PERFECT ENOUGH. How? Let me tell you.
First, stop searching for perfection in what you wear. Throw
on some flip flops and a t-shirt and be seen in public! It’s ok. And you know
that yard you work so hard on making perfect? Let it go some. It’s ok if you
have a few wilted flowers now and then. Oh, and then your better half. PLEASE
stop looking for perfection there. I mean it. You won’t find it. But guess
what. THEY LOVE YOU. Isn't that perfect enough?
And you know what else? Stop striving for perfection in your
health and fitness goals. You will NEVER achieve it for any length of time.
But, you can achieve “perfect enough” for a lifetime. Yes, you should set goals
and eat healthy. Just don’t stress out and fail when you end up eating
something less than perfect. Try to exercise daily. But, if you miss a work
out, it’s OK.
Imagine the possibilities this new key can open up for you. Endless
best describes them.
Think about this a while and see how it works for you.
Remember, not perfect, perfect enough. Got it? Perfect! Now hand me another
sheet of that construction paper. I have some projects to do!
Ron
