I used to
delay action because I didn’t have the time or the energy to give a particular
project my usual 110%, and I knew that once I started, I wouldn’t stop until it
met my satisfaction, and was complete. It was either 0 or 110, and 0 was
frequently more appealing! I would rely on the pressure of the deadline to get
things done, rather than work on them in a comfortable and leisurely fashion,
which would have allowed more room for creativity and fine tuning.
As it turns
out, those of us who hold ourselves to excessively high standards are also
quite critical of ourselves. In fact, we are even rather judgmental of others,
as well. We may not voice our criticisms aloud, but we think them; we spew
labels and evaluations all the time. They seem so innocuous; we barely notice
that we are doing it. “Stupid driver.” “Rude clerk.” “Hideous outfit.” “I can’t
believe he just said that.” “What was she thinking?” “Ugh – I’m such an idiot!
How did I miss that?!”
The truth
is, we’re all human. We are all fallible creatures, just trying to do our best
with the resources available to us – time, finances, energy, intelligence - as
limited and imperfect as they often are. Whenever we are able to muster some
sort of acceptance of this fact, and even perhaps an appreciation of the beauty
in it, we can harness compassion. Having compassion for ourselves and for
others provides us with a certain kind of patience that is very calming
Rather than
concerning ourselves with perfecting our performance, we would be much better
served to focus our efforts on PROGRESS. Baby steps. That is all that is
required to keep us moving forward, and to further us in the achievement of our
goals. Mistakes may be made along the way, but they will be smaller, and easier
to catch and learn from. In actuality, anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly. Prioritize taking action. Start
now!
