Aiming For Perfection Doesn’t Work
But practicing towards your goal will.
“There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory” -Anonymous.
No one is born perfect!
One might even say that perfection doesn’t exist.
The definition of perfect is; having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics.
But according to who?
A Synonym of perfect is flawless or the best.
But that depends upon who is judging.
So in effect, perfection is all about perception.
My version of perfect is another person’s view of trash.
That why I feel award shows like the Oscars are irrelevant. It is hard to quantify the best movie based on different interpretations.
So, where does that leave you?
Too many people strive to be perfect and, in doing so, set themselves up for utter failure.
It makes a high bar that may have devastating effects if perfection is not attained.
The ironic thing is;
the lessons learned from the failure will reap more rewards.
Unfortunately, we are so focused on being perfect; we miss out on the entire experience.
The quest for perfection could be the reason why suicides by young people peak in exam season.
“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.” — Anne Lamott
I remember when I did my first public speech in toastmasters.
I wanted it to be perfect. I had a 5-minute speech, and I memorized every single line I wrote. Even down to the canned gesture, I added for effect after the 2nd paragraph.
I felt like I was on top of the world before the speech, like Rocky Balboa winning the belt against Apollo Creed. Only to be humbled by Mr. T. when he knocked Rocky out in Rocky part 3.
My perfect speech fizzled two sentences in when I drew a blank in the middle of 40 people. I must have looked like a dear caught in a semi-trucks’ oncoming headlights.
Man, was I embarrassed.
I requested a do-over and left it at that.
Thinking over that moment, I told myself I wouldn’t strive for perfection anymore.
A good enough practice will suffice.
If I put in the work and practice often, then I won’t need to be perfect.
I can have room for error, which makes for a more genuine speech.
To be perfect, one would have to know every single outcome.
And there is no way to do that.
I apply this same method in everything I do.
When I write, I don’t aim for perfection because, again, everyone’s interpretation is different.
I aim for effectiveness.
Was my article useful? And Am I getting the point across?
To do that, I have to practice.
Once I keep practicing, I will get better and better.
But it will only happen when I put in the work.
And only after that will I achieve my desired aim.
The rule of practice will apply anywhere you want it to.
For instance;
To become a better investor — practice with simulation accounts or money your not afraid to lose.
To learn a new language — practice daily.
To be a better athlete, — practice daily.
You get the picture.
“Don’t make perfect the enemy of good” -Gretchen Rubin.
Aiming for perfection doesn’t work.
Thank you for reading
