The One Gigantic Mistake You Must Avoid. Stop Chasing Perfection
Chasing perfection has destroyed more careers/ businesses/ lives than you’d imagine. It’s high time we start setting real expectations
Introduction
For a few minutes, I want you to imagine you’re learning how to drive.
If you know how to drive, try and recollect the first day you sat behind the steering wheel, learning how to manoeuvre the vehicle in front of you.
If you’re someone who doesn’t know how to drive, I want you to imagine today (read: right now) is the first time you’re learning how to drive.
Imagine how many aspects you have to be mindful of, while learning how to drive.
The steering wheel, the gear shift, the amount of pressure (and the timing) that you have to apply to the accelerator/ brakes/ clutch pedals, the rear-view mirror, the side view mirror, etc.
Just the thought of it sounds so overwhelming, right?
Imagine if I tell you that you’re supposed to experience such a feeling multiple times a week/ month?
I’m sure just reading that would (read: should) have made you feel restless/ uncomfortable.
Asking me, trying to strive for perfection is similar to experiencing such an overwhelming emotion over and over in your life.
Confused?
Give me a couple of minutes, continue reading and I’ll explain the perspective.
The Myth of Perfection
I feel sad that in the world that’s driven by data, one important piece of data is not being recorded.
The data that I’d like to see a record of all ideas/ plans that were never pursued or dropped midway, because the person responsible felt overwhelmed and realised that they wouldn’t be able to deliver perfect results for the project/ task/ challenge at hand.
Let’s understand what does “striving for perfection” look/ feel like?
According to me, it’s the most unattainable goal in life.
Why, you ask?
Well, it’s simple actually.
Perfection is a moving goal post.
What was perfect in the 1980s would not even be considered as a minimum benchmark today.
Life, people, markets, situations keep evolving, changing and irrespective of your domain of expertise, you don’t have an option but to adapt to the current norms of the industry.
While living up to the existing benchmark quality is great, many people get…. For lack of a better word… bamboozled trying to push the envelope and deliver on the most perfect version of the output, and this is the root cause of more downfalls than case studies of success.
The reality of perfection, as explained in the next section explains why achieving perfection is impossible.
The Reality of Perfection
Is perfection even humanly possible? (humanly being the operative word)
Can someone deliver perfect results, every time?
Is it reasonable to expect perfection from yourself/ anybody else all the time?
If your answer to any of the questions is yes, you’re missing the plot.
The only time it’s okay to expect perfect results is when the output is computerised/ automated.
Humans can never be perfect, and in the bigger scheme of things, that’s a feature, not a bug.
Expecting perfect results from yourself/ anybody else will only add unnecessary pressure on someone, it would throw them off their game and it would only lead to chaos.
Perfection is a state of mind.
Perfection isn’t an expected end result; it’s a happy coincidence and the only way to react to human pursuits that deliver perfect results is gratitude.
Humans cannot be expected to perform in a manner (irrespective of any amount of training/ support provided) to deliver perfect results.
I’m tired of interacting with people who refuse to start their content creation/ business journey, because they don’t feel ready.
Why are they not ready?
Because they don’t think they will be able to deliver perfect results.
*Insert red alert here*
You can never start after you feel ready to deliver perfect results.
The only way to success is mentioned below in the “Ideal Path” section.
The Ideal Path/ Conclusion
The only ideal path (don’t believe me, do your research) is to start, make mistakes, learn from the mistakes, reiterate, improve and get as close to perfection as possible.
As I type this note, I’ve crossed over 100+ posts on MrEmogical Notes.
Is this a perfect post?
No.
Have I written a few perfect posts?
Maybe
But those are not the right questions to ask.
The correct questions are….
Has my personal brand grown since I started out?
Yes.
Has the quality of my posts improved as compared to my first post?
100%
Has this habit of typing and sending daily newsletters helped me enhance my personality, my self-confidence?
Absolutely.
I’d have never achieved these milestones if I hadn’t started this blog/ newsletter 100 odd days ago.
Not starting is much bigger sin, than waiting for you to feel ready.
Also, let me assure you about something…
Irrespective of when you start, you will never feel comfortable, confident and your output will never feel “perfect”.
I repeat myself.
Perfection is and will remain a moving goal post till eternity.
The sooner you start what you’re procrastinating, higher are your chances of achieving milestones that are closest to perfection in your area of interest/ expertise.
Start today.
START NOW.
Your Thoughts!
Did this note help?
Did it make you reflect on what you’ve wanted to do for the longest time, but haven't been feeling comfortable to start?
Do you agree to the idea(s) shared in this note?
Do you contradict any idea/ thought/ statement?
If you’ve reached till this point of the post, I’m sure you must have some thoughts/ feelings/ opinions about what you’ve just read.
I’m done sharing what’s on my mind, and now is your turn to share your POV.
Let’s continue this conversation (or ask your questions about the post) in the comments below.
Keep Going Keep Growing 🚀
Have I earned your share?
Thank you for reading the full post. Since you read this till the end, it’s safe to assume you found value in the content.
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Share this with them, help them and earn your blessings.
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Prompt used to create the image for the note
P.S.: Image made on Meta AI using the prompt, “Imagine a hard-working young content creator and an entrepreneur”
Congratulations on a 100+!