If I had to pick a theme for 2013 in my life, it would have to be releasing the need to be perfect. You know what I’m talking about – waiting for the perfect time, the perfect weather, the perfect business opportunity. Our desire for things to work out exactly as we have imagined them to unfold in our minds can drive us to the brink of insanity. If we waited for the stars to be aligned perfectly to do everything in our lives, we wouldn’t get much accomplished!
This year, I stopped waiting for the perfect opportunity to let go of my full-time job. I no longer waited for my signature talk to be “perfect” before I would share it with an audience. I’ve come to the realization that even when things don’t go “perfectly” opportunities can be found. What I might magnify to be a complete failure isn’t even a blip on another person’s radar!
We are our worst critics. We focus on what we feel didn’t go right, or our perceived weaknesses, not realizing that those around us who know us well see beyond those flaws. They realize your gift, your value, your contribution to their lives and to those you encounter. Sometimes we need those closest to us to remind us of our strengths, but we need to have that belief in ourselves as well.
I’m challenging myself to focus on progress versus perfection. It’s about being on a journey of continuous improvement in all areas of my life, rather than some final destination. The need to be perfect disempowers when it paralyzes. It can’t be so high a standard that it intimidates and deters us from pursuing our goals.
As long as we are doing our best, constantly pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone, I believe we are making progress. If you’re keeping it safe so you don’t make a mistake or risk failure, you’re not growing. If you’re not growing, you’re probably going to continue to get the same results (or even see them decline). I’m looking forward to making the focus for 2014 “continuous progress!”
Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution.She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!
Connect:
www.embraceyourdestiny.ca
www.facebook.com/embraceyourdestiny
www.facebook.com/embraceyourdestinythebook
www.twitter.com/sandradawes