You might have heard “practice makes perfect”, or “perfect practice makes perfect”, but what really is the goal of practice? And why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to practice being perfect??
The pressure comes from our view of “perfect”, and what something “should” be. We imagine skipping the hard work of practice, of trying, of learning – to get to someone else’s picture of “good enough” or great.
Ask yourself, who’s created or shaped your view of perfect? Of ideal? How long has that been there for you?
Let’s shift.
What if everything was practice?
Doctors have practices, lawyers have practices, and coaches have practices. Do we expect them to be perfect? Maybe. But more often we expect them to have practiced for a period of time, putting themselves in an excellent position to be helpful to us. We trust them to do their best.
What if we could trust ourselves to do our best?
As a leader or member of a team, what can you practice this week with the goal of learning something new? A different move, a different approach to conversation, or a new way of showing up for someone else?
There’s pressure that’s healthy and pressure that’s unhealthy. Try to find out for yourself this week where that pressure is truly coming from for you. And maybe, just maybe, relieving some of that pressure will bring you back to enjoying your practice again.
Here are a few related resources that I’ve liked recently and have been sharing:
1 // “The restlessness you feel is the result of a challenge you deem worthwhile, as partaking in it allows the boundaries of your mind to expand with each attempt.” Discipline is a practiced skill and every attempt counts. (5 min read)
2 // “…help the young people in your life embrace all of themselves, including their imperfections, for the astonishing little explosions of humanity that they are.” Good enough is just fine! (2 min read)
3 // “Who would you be if work were no longer the axis of your life?” – I bet you would be better at work if work were no longer your axis. (10 min read)
If you enjoyed this, would you forward it to 1 friend who might like it too? Subscribing is easy, below.
P.S. – There are 3 ways I can help you, when you’re ready: as a leader, as a team, and in learning how to manage Accidental Diminishing tendencies.
