Do Things Poorly: Perfect?

I often think about starting something new. I have a goal, but I need to learn or do new things to achieve that goal. The same fears initially come up just like everyone else - “What if I am not good at this? What if I can’t do what I need to do to get to the end goal?” The perfectionist in me hesitates to start because, well, what if it’s just wrong? “FAILURE,” I think to myself.

I told a friend about this, and she said, “Mary, I want you to do something. Try what you want to do and do it…badly. Do it poorly, do it with some success.  Just do it.”

I laughed at the idea of doing something poorly. I’ve never thought of starting something new and doing it poorly. Shouldn’t I already be a master when I start? It sounds ridiculous. Nothing gets done at all if I get caught up in those thoughts.

Looking back, I realize I frustrate myself when I can’t do something well right away. I also get frustrated when I know what I’m doing, and it can’t be perfect in my mind and to my standard. I’m wearing a hole in the floor going in these circles.

And the judgment. I can beat myself up over not being a Master right away. I am setting myself up for an impossible standard. Some have natural talents that they can pick up things right away, but it isn’t the same for everyone all the time. We put time into our crafts and our learnings for those skills to be familiar and even more time to become second nature. It’s an exciting process that can build until you feel comfortable and excited to keep going and maybe even learn more! Possibly even teach it to someone else!

For example, I’m working on creating a writing habit. I write every morning, and my goal is at 750 words a day, at least. This morning I was staring at the screen. I had nothin’. I thought of closing the computer and just letting it go for today.

Then I thought, “Well, let me write down that I’ve got nothing to say. Maybe something will come from that.” So I wrote, “This is hard today because I’ve got nothing.  Nothing to say.” More started to flow. I started writing some of the thoughts that were floating around my head. A theme emerged. I kept writing and soon enough, my screen showed “750 words!” with confetti. I made it. It might have taken a little longer than usual and might have been messy. But even if it wasn’t perfect, I achieved the goal.

Let’s think about that word - Perfect. So loaded. One of the official definitions is “having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.” Even that definition gives some wiggle room, “As good as it is possible to be.” Nothing and everything is perfect because perfection is in the eye of the person. Perfect may not be the exact perfect someone else thinks.  Perfection is subjective. 

Me trying to be perfect is me chasing a standard that isn't a true standard. What a relief to think I don't have to keep moving the target on myself. The process is much more enjoyable when I do things and I don’t allow those thoughts of “Is it perfect?” and “Is it great?” I enjoyed the process. 

Keep doing, and don’t hold yourself to that perfection standard. However you do it, you do it. And that alone is a huge accomplishment, whether perfect or not. Instead of saying nothing is perfect, how about saying everything is perfect at that moment?  Working at new things, well, that’s pretty perfect in of itself.