Myth: Everything worth doing is worth doing perfectly (Part 2 of 3)
Myth: Everything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Perfectly (Part 2 of 3)
Last week, I introduced a scenario with competing responsibilities that all seem to demand your very best effort. The first mindset shift I shared is that some tasks don’t warrant being done perfectly. I also introduced some tools to set limits that help you move forward imperfectly without delivering 100% of your best effort on tasks that don’t require 100%. What tasks on your “to do” list did you decide could be done imperfectly? Did you take that bonus step to start taming perfectionism by doing something imperfectly?
Let me remind you of the scenario: Your boss just assigned you a major project that’s due next week. The weeds are overgrown all around the perimeter of the house. There are four baskets of laundry that need to be done. Your best friends are coming over for dinner this weekend. You haven’t exercised all week, and you owe your Aunt a phone call. If you’re a perfectionist, all of these tasks scream for your attention at once and each task demands your very best effort, resulting in a feeling of debilitating overwhelm.
What additional tools or decisions can you implement to tame your perfectionism? This week, consider shifting your mindset to recognize that “some” is okay. Last week, we talked about setting limits (e.g. time limits, capacity limits, paired task duration limits, etc.) for less important tasks and giving these tasks less than 100% of your best effort. This week, let’s explore a similar mindset shift to doing “some” as it relates to important tasks that feel overwhelming, such as our need for physical exercise or intentional movement. In the scenario above, you haven’t exercised all week – most likely because you didn’t have time to go to the gym, go for a 30-minute walk or spend an hour on your stationary bike.
Are there ways you can incorporate some exercise or intentional movement in your day? Perhaps you can park at the far end of the parking lot when you pick up groceries and walk briskly to the door. You can hop on your stationary bike for 10 minutes before you hop into the shower. You can take your dog (or even just yourself) for a walk around the block while dinner is in the oven. While none of these ideas may feel like “enough” to a perfectionist, some intentional movement - or some progress towards an important goal - still counts and starts to move the needle. If we wait until we have the time or energy to pursue our “ideal,” we may be stuck for a very long time.
The perfectionist trigger: If I can’t do it perfectly, completely or ideally, my effort doesn’t count.
The mindset shift: I will take action to do some of what I want or need to do, and that effort will move the needle towards my goal.
The result: I will make progress, build my confidence and create momentum regarding what I want or need to do, build my tolerance of less than perfect effort, and in this instance, have a positive impact on my physical health and mood.
We’ll wrap up exploration of this scenario next week with a few more tools to help you tame perfectionism. In the meanwhile, please share your thoughts and questions via the link below.
Take care,
Amy
PS: What is something important that you can you do some of this week? Bonus: Do some of it, celebrate your progress, and share how it went using the link below!
