Perfection is Overrated

Perfection is overrated. How we often discourage ourselves from succeeding.

As people, we try to do all sorts of things in our lives. We attempt to get fit, be smarter, look better, make more money…on and on it goes. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. 

It’s when we try to be perfect, even at the starting phase, that we sabotage ourselves and seal our own fate. Unless this thing we are trying to do is incredibly easy, our chances at perfection are virtually nil.

Why do we tend to overreach?

Our minds are excellent at making comparisons. But it’s those very comparisons that we make that often discourage us in our life’s pursuits. Here are some of the natural comparisons we all make when aiming for a particular goal:

People wanting to make more money tend to look at the high profile billionaires.

People aiming to lose weight look to super models.

When trying to get fit, people look at athletes and body builders.

Someone looking for a better relationship often make a comparison from something they find touching in a book or on television.

We make those comparisons because they are easy comparisons to make. Our templates and examples are plastered all over the media in one way or another. Sadly, we tend to completely overlook the downsides to our target caparisons.

Some of the billionaires were responsible for crippling the economy. A few have gone to prison as a result.

Super models eat very little and keep up a torrid pace of running and working out to maintain their figures.

Many athletes have taken performance enhancing drugs to get a competitive edge, either getting banned from their sport, or degrading their bodies overall health for this edge.

As for relationships? If we all found the perfect mate, who would always do the romantic things we see in the movies and books, they would probably bore us to death. If these fictitious characters scratched their behinds in public, wiped runny noses with their sleeves, left the lid up in the bathroom, and forgot to put the lid back on the toothpaste it would be easy to avoid making these comparison. But that doesn’t make for good writing, so obviously we never see those things.

If we aim for realistic example, the ones we find in real life, we are much more apt to continue on our roads, completely avoiding any comparisons that might cripple our chances.

Look for the business owner who is on the rise, doing good things for the community. The ones creating jobs while turning a decent profit.

Look for the people doing laps in the park who are healthy, have lots of energy, but look like they enjoy the occasional buffet diner.

Find those people who are in the gym, trim and toned and strong in a natural way. Find the athlete who stays after practice to field a few more ground balls.

Find those relationships that stood the test of time. Look for those older couples who have been together for twenty years or more. Find out what they are doing and make that your comparison.

In Parting

Always try to take it easy on yourself. Self improvement is a worthwhile goal that we should always strive for. Continuing to reach new heights and grow as people is what life is all about. When we set realistic goals and make realistic comparisons, we are greatly improving our chances of success.

Thanks for reading