I have had to deal with the fact that I am not perfect.
I grew up with perfection and high standards that were not able to be met. I learned my family traits well. As I got married, started a business, and soon realized what resulted…a lot of pain, heartache, disappointment, and poor relationships of family, friends and employees.
I found that perfection hinders the person you want to become. Seek excellence instead. There is a huge difference.
In perfection I was quick to point out failures, and how things never measured up. I drove my associates to fear wanting to try things on their own knowing they would not measure up to my expectations. I drove people away. I had no room for mistakes. I stifled creatively.
Although I still struggle at times with perfection, I have been working more diligently on excellence. Working on being more clear in my expectations, allowing more grace when mistakes happen (notice I said when and not if), and working to coach them, rather than to make them feel bad.
I have learned that we blossom when we make mistakes or fail, given grace and understanding. Failure can be the most powerful source of growth, especially when we take the time to learn from them.
Choose excellence over perfection.
