Perfect is the Enemy of Good - Voltaire
Several years ago, I took an assessment that revealed that I was a hyperachiever.
My response to that? "Hyperachiever? Are you kidding? No way! That's got to be wrong! If I'm a hyperachiever, then why don't I have a ton of money, a big house, a fancy car, etc.?"
I read further and found that some of the characteristics of a hyperachiever are measuring success by our last success, comparing what we do with what others do, and feeling successful when someone outside us tells us we’re successful.
"Ah, that's the one, I uttered. That last one is me. Well, crap."
Up until that point in my life, my measure of success was greatly dependent on what others said or did in response to what I said or did. And it got in my way so many times I couldn't count it all. It still does to some degree sometimes when fears pop up. And when it shows up, it comes in the form of “If I can’t do something well, the right way, perfectly, I don’t do it.” And that leads to all or nothing action and inaction.
I remember feeling so humiliated when I was child, not having done the work right.
I actually felt better getting in trouble for not doing the work in the first place than feeling the humiliation of doing things wrong!
This was especially hard when I had moved back to the US after having been living in Europe for several years. I didn’t know a lot of American ways and really felt like a failure. On top of not knowing American measurements and money, I was being bullied by kids and molested at home.
Being less than was everywhere and so not trying was easier. It was better to fail from not doing than to fail from being stupid.
Voltaire, a French writer and philosopher from the 1700s, was known for the belief that, "perfect is the enemy of good." I agree with him. I’d say…. “Perfect is the Enemy of Good Enough.”
Perfection is the great cover up. “The more perfect a person is on the outside, the more demons they have on the inside” (Sigmund Freud).
For a hyperachiever, measuring success by what others think is attempting to reach perfection based on someone else’s views of us and the world.
When we strive for perfection, we're destined to fail.
Instead, strive for purposeful imperfection. Notice how you’re different, how you’ve grown, notice how you want to grow. Recognize when good enough really is good enough.
Let’s work together to uncover what drives you and what holds you back. Click the link below to schedule time to find and embrace your purposeful imperfection!
