Perfection. It’s overrated. And I’m writing about it today because it’s Tuesday and I’m posting my Monday Motivation blog. Ironic? Maybe. But I am giving myself permission to not be perfect. And in doing so, I have much more freedom. Freedom to start things. Freedom to make decisions. Freedom to not live to please others.

This is not an area where I have always succeeded, but it seems that somewhere in my middle 30’s, I could let go of the endeavor for perfectionism for the sake of others. I did not have to “do” or “be” anything for anybody other than myself. Sounded super selfish at the time, but it was the first step in really living freely.

Perfectionism is Fear

If you think about it, perfectionism is really unattainable so it’s kind of the laziest standard in the world. Right??? So we freeze and don’t do something or don’t make a decision – because it won’t be “perfect”. But we are soothing fooling ourselves into complacency or boredom. Instead of perfection, strive for excellence (or extraordinary or outstanding or exceptional or…).

Pursue Excellence

In reality, I have found people are so much more welcoming of IMPERFECTION when it comes to the authenticity of an individual. Stop and think about it, don’t you prefer spending time with somebody who makes you feel better just by being in their presence? They are not spending their energy trying to be what they are not, and are just enjoying their time in the present. (Of course, this is not applicable when it comes to a work product or other service rendered for payment…that needs to be perfect or pretty darned close to perfect.)

Born To Be Real

And I am NOT suggesting laziness as an alternative to perfection or “it’s just who I am” as an excuse either. Strive to be better than you were yesterday. I am personally & professionally striving to ensure my priorities are straight and I’m spending time where I get the most value. I’m striving to give myself some breathing room and focus on what really matters. So what if my Monday Motivation blog post was published on a Tuesday and not a Monday? It’s not going to shut down the electrical grid here in Texas, or the New York Stock Exchange, or anything else for that matter. Right??? And you know what? I didn’t even publish last week because I had a friend in town and spending time with her was more important than spending time writing this post. And that time was precious. And THAT was the perfect decision for me. Do you get what I’m saying? (And my dad is probably the only one who even noticed the missed post.)

Strive To Be Better

So if you are “frozen” by perfectionism and have delayed an action or a decision or a relationship, put that false belief away. Get out from under believing the lie of perfection and stop taking the lazy way out. Go make a (calculated) mistake, go do something as best as you can and celebrate that achievement, put the bathing suit on even if your thighs aren’t “perfect” (you know what I am talking about), and embrace your life in all of it’s not-quite-perfection…what do you really have to lose now that you’re not aiming for perfect?

XOXO,
Michelle Lynne

P.S. I am also on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz – where you will find more images that don’t always make the blog or the website.