Progress - not Perfection.

Aloha reader!

As the week comes to a close and we approach the weekend, I'm sharing a few tidbits of advice/self-crafted insights that have helped me over the years. Coming to these realizations/guiding principles has increased enjoyment in my life and provided a place to return, when I start to get caught up in my own perfectionist ways! (Because, yes, it's probably quite obvious that I'm an "A" versus "B" type of person.) If you want proof of how far I've come, when I took on writing and launching this blog, I decided, for the most part, to not embed links into everything I'd imagine someone may not know what it is (such if you are now wondering 'what is an A-type" personality) :) Giving myself a break there! Haha!

1. 90% is actually perfection (100%) most of the time. One of my favorite quotes : "Genius sometimes consists of knowing when to stop." {Charles de Gaulle} comes to mind, as well as a few others. While yes, 100% applies to certain scenarios in life - Do you want to the doctor performing your lazik eye surgery to be precise/100%? Absolutely! But do you want to iron out every kink in your pants? Okay, maybe you do.. at least I like to.. (Bad example, haha!) But you get my point! If you have a child in your life who shows you a kindergarten drawing, do you expect 100% within the lines? No, for the most part at age 5 or 6, these children don't have 'perfection' on their mind... however, kids do observe and by you showing yourself grace, you help the next generation. (And personally, my kid's Monet (painted via watercolor in kindergarten rivals the real thing!)
   
   
2. New activities require effort and humility. Let's look at athletics: if you've been a high-performing athlete like me (for many years) you many think you can easily take on a new sport, and conquer it immediately. Typing with a grin on my face, 'm thinking of surfing in 2021, with a strong yoga practice and solid core strength, my balance was rigorously tested at Carpentaria Beach. I fell hard multiple times, in my attempts to ride the waves to shore! In order to excel/improve your skills, letting go of ego, embracing imperfection... yep, that's how you get better at an activity. Many folks who get "image/reputation" obsessed won't even try anything new - because of their insecurities and primary obsession with 'looking' perfect.
   
   
3. Focusing on progress (versus perfection) can be fun! Listen, as much as you may strive to have the perfect crow pose in yoga... focusing on the journey/progress is truly the fun part (for me, at least!). Falling in front of your friends/loved ones can provide giggles all around. And just wait, when you get better than them (yes, I can get competitive..) who will be laughing then? :) I've practiced yoga for over 2 decades and always follow the credo of yoga being a (continuous) practice in it's truest form (not performative), like many things in life. And the few times I've 'perfected' a pose, while yes, that feels good, it wasn't my primary focus. It felt more like icing on the cake!
   
   

May you have a lovely weekend, making progress on your most fun, valued projects!

With Aloha,

Heidi