“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett
Characterized by their high standards, attention to detail, and strong work ethic, perfectionists make up a large sum of today’s work force.
While their persistence is admirable, perfectionists are also defined by a fear of failure. For an individual striving toward perfection, the mere possibility of underachieving can be detrimental. A leader suffering from perfectionism may procrastinate, worrying that their completion of the task may not meet their standards. They may also exhibit difficulty delegating tasks, believing that others won’t meet their standards of quality. The pressure to reach perfection can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
Embracing imperfection can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth, often putting you on the path to success.
It begins by re-framing your patterns of thinking.
Let each mistake present you with a new opportunity to learn. Your ability to adapt to this change will consequently enhance your resilience. This resilience is crucial for navigating the challenges and uncertainties of any endeavor.
As you learn to keep going, despite obstacles and setbacks, you will foster perseverance.
When you accept that imperfection is part of the process, you’re more likely to take action and try new things.
Jumping into a project without a metaphorical parachute can be paralyzing.
As a leader, you constantly question your decisions. A lack of structure can be daunting, but no one ever finds the best watermelon on the first try. Experiment with new ways to fail and you just might end up succeeding.
Acknowledge that progress is not linear.
It’s imperative that any process be endowed with realistic expectations.
By understanding a project’s limits, you learn to keep moving forward, even when things aren’t “perfect.” Your ability to acknowledge the ups and downs of a project will enhance your problem-solving skills.
The foundation of success is self-compassion.
How do you talk to yourself when you make a mistake? Is it the way you would talk to your employees? Is it the way you’d want someone to talk to a loved one? If the answer is no, it’s time to start practicing self-compassion.
Being in tune with your efforts and being kind to yourself even when plans go awry is essential to success. If you can’t win in the battle against yourself, you’ll start to believe that you can’t win anywhere. Challenge your limiting beliefs. See what changes when you allow yourself permission to love every aspect of your journey, not just the parts where you’re “winning.”
Failure is unavoidable.
Beyond being unavoidable, failure is necessary.
What do we have to strive toward once we’ve seemingly perfected everything? Nothing. Failure and imperfection are the key to finding your footing in the workplace and day-to-day life. Stay curious about what your mistakes can earn you.
Let imperfection take the lead at our next meeting! Join us for one of our Weekly Propagate Courses. Each Thursday evening, a leader at Soul Seed Academy will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to building your community and elevating your business. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to learn. Register via our website today!
