Don’t Wait For Perfection Before You Start

Strive for continuous improvement instead of perfection – Kim Collins

And so starts a new adventure…

Last weekend I took my mom to try a Float for the first time. Talk about trying something new… lying in a float tank (sensory deprivation tank) filled with salt water for an hour. Never being someone to spend quiet time alone or meditate in stillness, I have to admit that it was a great experience for the mind, body and soul!

After floating for long enough to not realize that’s what I was even doing anymore, or what I assume to have to guess was about 30 minutes into the my hour with my thoughts I was struck by the concept of ‘perfection’, the pursuit of it, and how it impacts our lives – not for the better.

The ‘perfect plan’ or the ‘perfect time’ are sought after, but these are ways to avoid what it is we really want to accomplish. Perfection instills fear. Imagine the progress you could make if you just get started and keep improving.

Personally, I am always looking to learn and improve by either doing something new or doing something better. I am proud to live my life this way. However, when it comes to doing things to further my desire to help others eat, move, and live well, I have found myself distracted by ‘the perfect way’ to get started.

As this idea of ‘perfection’ swirled in my head, I realized how counter intuitive this. Instead we should strive to do our best and be the best versions of ourselves. Start somewhere, then do better!

With a new year upon us maybe you are working to keep your resolutions. Or if you’re like me, you’ve traded in those resolutions for goals and intentions. Or you are just at a point in your life where you want to make a change. Don’t wait for perfection to start and don’t expect to be perfect right away.

Here are a few things to think about

Find what fits – It’s important that when you decide to do something different, that is both of interest and realistic for you. Don’t tell yourself “I should run more” if you hate running or that you’re going to work out 7 days a week for 2 hours when 7 days feels like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Find what fits your life and the version of you that you want to become.

Reframe your thoughts – Don’t focus on what you will be losing or the difficulty of the new task, you are adding something you want in your life. How can you enjoy your new habit more? Running (or the exercise of your choice) for food – yes I’ve done it! Fun with friends when you invite them over for dinner instead of going out! Better mental stamina or less stress when you spend some time on the yoga mat! There is goodness to be gained by getting started.

Start with something small – You can’t get anywhere if you don’t get started. Eat out one less time a week. Moving/exercising two days a week. Do one thing a little different, and then more or another. You don’t need extreme action to ‘be perfect’, start with anything that is a change.

And remember to celebrate progress and don’t get discouraged if you get off track. Life changes. Our needs, wants, or plans change. Be flexible enough to change with them. The important thing is to refocus and keep going

Life is to short to wait for everything to be perfect. Start now. You will start feeling good and want to do better. With the right mindset you can build momentum towards continuous improvement.

So what can you do to push perfect aside and start something today?