Perfection is the enemy of the good
Musings on Heart Powered Human Leadership
I have said for so many years I would write my book on why Love belongs on business. I had thought up the perfect structure, composing the perfect vision and audience — I even wrote an excellent Book Synopsis (Last count was on Version 14). I have spent a LOT of hours planning it. But getting down to writing it — always seemed to me that I didn’t know how or where to start.
I had to get it right — it had to be perfect.
And then I suddenly knew how. Inspired by Laurence McCahill from the Happy Start School who wrote something on Linkedin for 100 days for 20 minutes or so every day and then put the best stuff into a book. I set myself this same challenge 12 days ago — and I have done my blog for 12 days and discovered my voice and love of writing!
It so happens I started this when I had a little space in my diary and then went to Portugal for a week so I had the time, to take the time for it. It has ended up being more like two hours a day — when you take into account the various edits, finding the right pic, posting in all the places etc.
Each blog itself was a joy to write — heartfelt and true to me and the moment — what was wanting to come through. However. Today I looked realistically at my upcoming week and because I have been away quite a bit lately — my week is jam-packed. And it occurs to me that finding two hours a day is going to be challenging and maybe not even wise — as rest will surely be needed to balance all the busy.
And I notice how my own expectation of myself to do this perfectly has slyly crept in. I am thinking I need to get it done right to my own exacting standards that I have kept to for the past 12 days. But no.
It actually doesn’t have to be that way — after all — I made up the rules!
So this is what occurred to me today as I do the last juicy one for a while — Lucky number 13. I can make it easier for myself. I can remember that getting it done is good enough and that it doesn’t always have to ‘be perfect’ (what even is that ?!) — Laurence also said if you are going to post for 100 days — accept that some will be filler.
I can repost old content or a quote that inspires me or a link to something else on my theme of Heart Led Human Leadership and I can just take the 20 minutes a day — (Thank you Laurence) — and I can also notice how I turned this blog a day thing into two hours all by myself.
So I will let myself off the perfect hook. Good enough is good enough.
I coach a lot of Female Executive Leaders and I notice something many of us have in common. We think we really do need to get it all perfect. At work, as a leader, as a mother, a good wife, great friend, daughter, colleague. Have the perfect body, outfits, hair, home, Christmas table, remember to send all the (personal hand-written) cards in time, bake the best home-made thing for the thing… the list is endless — I hear you and I feel you.
So just for you — here’s a little mini-podcast I recorded on the subject of Perfectionism — Hope someone finds it helpful in remembering you are already perfect — just the way you are.
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