Have you ever waited for just the right moment, just the right words, just the right look, just the right time, you know when all the stars are in perfect alignment to signal the stage is yours? Or have you painstakingly taken time, focus and effort to compose and create just the right thing but still not been satisfied? Seeking perfection can be seen quite generously as a sign of care, craft and excellence. It is what lurks underneath the surface that we need to look at more closely. Investigate the motivation, the real reason behind our striving and sometimes we will find the fear, fear of not being good enough, fear of not being liked enough, fear of not having enough, fear of the unknown…
The paradox of perfection is that by focusing on being perfect in what we do and how we act we miss out. We miss the richness, the nuance, the dynamism of a layered and textured life. By not showing up because we are waiting for perfection we are holding ourselves back from experiences, moments and the juicy parts of life.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in striving for care, for craft, for excellence but when it holds us back even a little from taking to the arena then we have been captured and held by our fears. It’s a sign that we need to act. Delivering with clear intention and honesty can help shift us toward courage and vulnerability. It can open us up to the experience and all the possibilities, whatever that may be, sometimes we will win and sometimes we will learn and we will be all the more because of it.
Lots of love,
Jo x