Being perfect

msujack

I have read a lot of posts recently with a lot of people all worked up due to not doing everything perfect. I get it, this is (probably) new to you and you don't want to make mistakes in something you are committing to do successfully.

Think of it as writing a book, you get the big picture, but the rough draft isn't filled with the perfect wording. As you work on it, you figure things out for the story. You make some plot twists that aren't originally designed to be in the story, but they seem to fit in the book.

Over time, the book takes shape and you are happier and happier with what you are writing. You made changes you didn't think you had to, left some things that you just knew needed to be adjusted, but all in all it's rewarding to see your book mostly laid out. You don't hit the publish button until you are ready.

All of the above is the same for weight loss. You will screw up and life does get in the way. There is no magical deadline to adhere to, only your results.

Enjoy the ride, life it what happens while you are trying to reach a milestone.

daniwilford

Great post. It is more about practicing than perfection.

atypicalsmith

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

sunandmoons

atypicalsmith wrote: »

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

1+

Kalikel

atypicalsmith wrote: »

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

Agreed.

If you don't try to do your best, you'll never know how well you could've done.

kshama2001

atypicalsmith wrote: »

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

Too much concern about perfection can lead to paralysis: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/scared-to-try-moving-beyond-the-paralysis-of-perfectionism/

I think the OP was about The Perfectionism Paradox

...Research has shown that perfectionism is not only useless in garnering success, but it actually hampers achievement.

Wait, it gets better. Perfectionism also leads to high rates of depression, anxiety and addiction. Sounds monumentally un-perfect, no?

The definition of perfectionism that came out of Dr. Brene Brown’s research characterizes it as,

“a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment and blame.”

The self-destructive aspect comes from the fact that perfection simply does not exist. Kinda like, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so also is perfection.

If we’re trying to create perfection in the eyes of others, it’s a hopeless exercise in controlling their perceptions.

Perfectionism is also defined as an addictive belief system because when we invariably do experience shame, judgment or blame, we generally believe it’s because we weren’t perfect enough. So we end up in this cycle of perfectionistic sabotage. Which as you’ve probably deduced, just leads us to feel more shame, judgment and self-blame.

Read more: http://www.thejdnation.com/the-perfection-paradox/

Azuriaz

kshama2001 wrote: »

atypicalsmith wrote: »

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

Too much concern about perfection can lead to paralysis: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/scared-to-try-moving-beyond-the-paralysis-of-perfectionism/

I think the OP was about The Perfectionism Paradox

...Research has shown that perfectionism is not only useless in garnering success, but it actually hampers achievement.

Wait, it gets better. Perfectionism also leads to high rates of depression, anxiety and addiction. Sounds monumentally un-perfect, no?

The definition of perfectionism that came out of Dr. Brene Brown’s research characterizes it as,

“a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment and blame.”

The self-destructive aspect comes from the fact that perfection simply does not exist. Kinda like, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so also is perfection.

If we’re trying to create perfection in the eyes of others, it’s a hopeless exercise in controlling their perceptions.

Perfectionism is also defined as an addictive belief system because when we invariably do experience shame, judgment or blame, we generally believe it’s because we weren’t perfect enough. So we end up in this cycle of perfectionistic sabotage. Which as you’ve probably deduced, just leads us to feel more shame, judgment and self-blame.

Read more: http://www.thejdnation.com/the-perfection-paradox/

This. So much this. If you can't tolerate your own flaws and slip-ups, you aren't perfect, you're delusional.

Spoken by someone who has been there!

Protranser

Thank you for this great message, @msujack !

tiptoethruthetulips

atypicalsmith wrote: »

Nobody does anything perfectly. But those who strive to do so succeed at a faster rate than those who don't.

I sometimes find that those who strive for perfection falter more so than those who strive to do their best.

I would suggest those who strive to do their best succeed at a faster rate than those who strive for perfection.

Don't let perfection be the enemy of good or your best...

Thanks for the post OP.

PinkPixiexox

Great post - thankyou for this