PRACTICALLY PERFECT
Perfection is a noble concept yet it is a fallacious possibility.
Coaches often talk about perfect practice. Really!? What is so admirable about perfection?
Under close examination, the pursuit of perfection actually becomes a deterrent to exceptional performance.
Leaders who demand perfection in others often operate from a position of inner unhealthiness.
Perfectionist tend to major on the minors and focus on the negatives.
A car perfectionist can never get the car clean enough, mirrors focused precise enough, or all surfaces to be scratch free.
Coach perfectionists can’t celebrate wins for more than a few hours. They create anxiety and fear in their players.
Dad’s who demand perfection drive sons to hatred, anger, and rebellion, while their daughters fall into insecurity or rebellion.
Perfectionistic moms who lean into criticism push their daughters into destructive behaviors and their sons into mean-spiritedness towards the opposite sex.
This said, practically perfect is admirable because it is a possibility, whereas perfection is not realistic or even possible.
When perfectionism yields to acceptance of practically perfect life becomes more enjoyable.
Criticism tends to shift to gratitude and appreciation; Impatience to long-suffering and anxiety to peace.
The next time you find yourself seeing through critical eyes; speaking words with a critical tongue or being in a state of emotional turmoil, say an emphatic, “No!” to perfectionism and a strong “Yes!” to practically perfect.
Almost perfect is authentic excellence.
