George Carlin
Do you criticize all your imperfections and constantly compare yourselves to others? Do you have difficulty relaxing and enjoying yourself? Do you avoid new challenges or experiences because you are afraid of failing? If so, you likely suffer from an affliction known as perfectionism.
Huh? In the old days, being a perfectionist was deemed to be an admirable trait. Not so much anymore.With the media constantly barraging us with technologically enhanced versions of “perfection” regarding beauty, the ideal family, athletic feats, and business successes, our individual reality gauge can be a bit warped. According to scientific studies, our health, productivity, and overall happiness would be so much better if we focused on achieving excellence versus perfectionism.
What’s the difference? Perfectionism is the relentless pursuit of flawlessness. It’s the belief that anything less is unacceptable. Excellence, on the other hand, is the pursuit of the best possible outcome. It’s a commitment to continuous improvement, but it doesn’t require perfection.
Key differences between perfectionism and excellence:
Perfectionists value the outcome, not the process. They tend to set unrealistic expectations for themselves and suffer from action paralysis because anything less than perfection is unacceptable.
Excellence-oriented people value the process, not just the outcome. They know the relationships, memories, and experiences they build along the way, are as important as the outcome. They know their mistakes do not define them. Because of this, they are better equipped to weather life’s ups and downs.
Perfectionism is driven by fear, while excellence is driven by passion. Perfectionists are often motivated by a fear of failure or rejection. They worry about what other people will think of them if they don’t make it perfect.
Excellence-oriented people are motivated by a passion for what they do. They are driven to achieve the best possible outcome because they love what they are doing.
Perfectionism is paralyzing, while excellence is empowering. Perfectionists often procrastinate or avoid challenges because they see mistakes as failures.
Excellence-oriented people, on the other hand, are not afraid to take risks or try new things. They know that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. They don’t let mistakes define them.
Perfectionists have a hard time adjusting their expectations
Perfectionism is thinking there’s only one right way to do things. There’s only one way to be successful. Being second-best is unacceptable.
However, high standards are fluid, meaning we can adjust our goals or expectations as needed. When we strive for excellence, we’re satisfied with a job well done. We celebrate that we’re doing the best that we can do.
Love this!
Perfectionism is like a crystal glass, while excellence is like a diamond.
A crystal glass is delicate and fragile, and it can easily be broken. A diamond is strong and resilient, and it can withstand great pressure. Excellence is about building a strong foundation and developing the skills and resilience needed to succeed.
Are you missing your Mojo? Does your heart want to play, but you been avoiding us because you won’t know the moves? Stop the paralysis by analysis! As always, each and every class is filled with new and old routines alike.
Would you rather get a feel for the class, first? Join us via LIVEstream or On Demand. As always, the object of the game is to find your form and make the moves your own. Just keep moving and Seize the day! Your brain and body will thank you.
Related Articles
