Pushing ourselves to do our best is clearly one of the keys to success. However, don’t confuse the noble act of trying our best with the noble act of pushing ourselves to perfection. They may sound similar but they are dramatically different. Doing our best requires a discipline to take no shortcuts in our effort, and perform at our very finest. But perfection is a whole different story, and the pursuit of it can do far more to destroy what we are putting forward than to perfect it.
We can control our effort, but we cannot control our outcome. Remembering this helps us to optimize both.
It’s not a crime to pursue perfection; it’s just a mistake. If even one shred of evidence existed to prove otherwise, I’d be a fan of perfection, but in fact, the pursuit of perfection only works against us. After all, one of the greatest strengths we possess – when we perform at our highest level – is the ability to perform unencumbered by tension. Do you believe, for one second, that focusing on perfection will decrease tension?
Perfection happens on rare occasions, but it is not something that the best of the best actively try to achieve. If you ask someone who actually achieves perfection, he or she will almost always tell you that they did not even contemplate perfection while attempting to accomplish it. They knew that the mere thought of it would create tension, and so that moves them further away from it. When a pitcher is pitching late in a ballgame, and in the position to possibly pitch a perfect game, watch how carefully the other players do all they can to not focus on the potential feat at hand. Other than pitching performances and bowling, there is almost no sport or occupation that even allows for perfection and yet, instinctively, we seem determined to pursue it.
I say, let’s pursue imperfection! Let’s give ourselves a pep talk and remind ourselves of this: Our imperfections, and our ability to deal with what happens when we are outside of our comfort zone, is what will truly impress people. Instead of fearing what might go wrong, why not embrace what might go wrong as an opportunity to show others the real you?
When things go wrong, we allow those who are judging us to see a more intimate, and unrehearsed, side of us. Typically, these moments cannot be planned for because they often happen organically, but that spontaneous side of ourselves is what many really want to see. When we have to deal with an unforeseen situation, it shows others how we behave under pressure, in the real world. This human side lets others see your true character. Fashion designer and author Lauren Conrad once said:
“Imperfection is relatable.”
I once heard a story about Richard Harris that truly illustrates this point. He had played the part of King Arthur in Camelot, countless times over the course of his career. During a performance in his later years, he actually forgot the words to one of his signature songs. Although the orchestra attempted to cover for him, he signaled the orchestra to stop playing the song. For a brief moment, the audience gasped as he walked towards them and said, “I must confess, I have forgotten the words. Perhaps, if it is not too much trouble, you could help me to remember them.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the building as the audience stood in unison and sang, together, the immortal “Camelot.” I’m quite sure it was an experience that no one in attendance would ever forget. I wish I had been there.
The pursuit of perfection is a noble cause, but the acceptance of imperfection can actually give you a wonderful opportunity to just be you. If you can embrace the imperfections when they make their surprise appearances, you will find that it will bring you closer to those around you. Your smile and easygoing attitude will be on display and will win over everyone there… and they’ll love you for it!
That was my favorite BLArticle so far. I worry too much about finding and striving for perfection and need to follow the guidance of this BLArticle more often. I’ll be revisiting this one for sure.
Well, as I know you are an avid reader of BLArticles®, I’m thrilled! We strive to do our best, and we embrace our imperfections along the way. Thanks for posting Brad.
Rob,
You hit this one out of the park!
Well alright then! Truth be told, this was one of my favorite BLArticles®, but that doesn’t always mean those who read them agree. Looks like the two of us are lined up on this one. Thanks so much for posting Karen.
“It’s not a crime to purse perfection”. A subconscious illustration of the thesis of the BLArticle?
Subconscious? Conscious? Or maybe just a mistake. I’ll never tell, but coincidentally, it seems to have been repaired. Or maybe it was never there? Thanks for posting Tony!
Rob: I really enjoyed this BLArticle; I think what I liked best is that applies not only to work but to life in general. Thank you, and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Agreed Joan. It really isn’t a message for those who speak, or those at work, or those who are interviewing with others. It’s a message that speaks to how we interact in general. Glad that hit home for you. Always great seeing your post Joan.
Well done! Helps me relax on this holiday weekend! I suppose the challenge is to find the balance between doing your best, and advancing the conversation without the need to find perfection which in actuality may never exist anyway.
Think about the conversations you and I had at the BK retreat. When I sat down and heard of the less than perfect interactions you’ve had regarding your passion for the environment that allowed me to better understand you… and appreciate you. I think you saw me take a few swings and misses myself during the auction. Vive la imperfections! Thanks for posting Jacquie!
Love this. There is a wonderful book called The Blessings of Imperfection. We are all under construction in many parts of our life and the building has only begun:) What you have done beautifully is shown us intelligent optimism at work: the re-framing of an event into something that has possibility. Thanks, Rob.. I am grateful for you.
Although I did not use the term, I love the term “intelligent optimism.” I’m a big re-framer, but I’m not sure how helpful that is when there isn’t a rational and intelligent side to it. I’m going to look for that book because you told me to, and that’s all I need to hear. I am touched by your last sentence, and grateful for you as well. I know you live intelligently optimistically, and have taken a lesson or two from just watching you. Thanks so much for the post!
Excellent point! Thanks for the great article. I learned hard lessons on pushing myself to perfection, because the consequence was not always perfection, it could end up slowing me down, as I had to re-do it (in terms of some experiments). I’ll continue to embrace my imperfection.
That’s a good lesson for us all Hui, and you are not alone. What an interesting irony; pushing yourself to perfection ended up slowing you down and making less perfect! Something we can all learn from. Great post Hui!
(Cheering and doing “the wave” in my soul) Being a performer, I could really relate to dropping lines during a performance. Where Harris was in the performance was the place of “virtuoso”, actually. You have complete mastery and masterful confidence in your ability to perform. This is the place where everything that happens is not good or bad but “art”. There is no “gone wrong” in art. It is the place where the ordinary becomes magic. This is so core to being able to “keep on goin'” after something bad has happened in life. I love this. Thanks, Rob. You have just stated one of those” grace of the pruning saw” lessons because to get this “perfection” sucker lopped off of my life is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
It’s been a while since I did the wave, but I’m waving back at you. It’s once again instinct versus logic. Instinctively we blur the lines between trying out best, and trying to be perfect. Looks good on paper, but diminishes our performance. On the other hand logic dictates we embrace imperfection and allow it to provide a true window into our soul. Super post Edia!
Rob, great post with a great message! As you indicated, imperfection in the midst of any activity requires us to go “off script”, leaving our colleagues and other observers to wonder how we will move forward in the pressure of the moment. Apparent imperfection also can be used to great effect, when I saw an executive expected to give a very carefully crafted speech to a group, who tore up his notes when he got up to the podium to the delight of the crowd (and the dismay of his speechwriters!). The executive proceeded to give exactly the speech written for him that he had memorized, with the audience impressed with his “contemporaneous” oratory! Thanks for sharing!
LOVE this Jim! Truth be told be most of the professional speakers I know have mastered the art of sounding spontaneous when they are anything but. Typically, the audience is much more comfortable with the sense of improv. What’s more, when things DO go truly off script, the pros will never let you know because they handle those moments exactly the same. Great hearing from you Jim!
Happy Holiday,
This is a very interesting topic.
If you’re at the top of your game you’ve practiced enough to understand that being in the ZONE (perfection) is a rare happening. There is very fine line between perfection and imperfection.
Richard Harris was a great actor but proved that his people skills trumped the show!
Practice=perfect&imperfect=range=??maybe wisdom??
Rob great subject that’s probably overlooked.
Talk to you soon
Regards,
Buddy
Happy holidays to you as well sir! I do think this subject is overlooked because it’s misunderstood. I’m certainly not encouraging people to not try their hardest or do their best. What I am saying is imperfection is not something we need to fear. Practice + Patience = Wisdom. Thanks so much for posting Buddy!
I always enjoy your articles and this one is no different! I strived for perfection in my younger days and made myself miserable doing so. You are so right that people react to you differently if you just show them your human side –one that is a combination of knowledge gained professionally and knowledge gained from living life! Beverley
You aren’t alone Beverley. I too fought for perfection in my younger… and not so younger days. Believe it or not, it was my journal that helped me reach peace with this. For 18 years I would finish a presentation and then write in my journal what worked and what did not. I would then give myself an overall performance grade. I noticed my grades were higher not based on my ability to be perfect, but my ability to deal with the imperfect. Those moments allowed me to truly bond with my audiences, and unknowingly I began to pursue the imperfect. Fantastic post Beverley – thank you.
Loved this one Rob… loved it.
Terrific! Thanks for the post JV.
Very True. Perfection is unrealistic. If you do your best it is easier to handle the consequences.
Agreed. It’s about doing your best and not obsessing on being perfect. Ironically, we have a much better shot at getting close to perfection by not focusing on it! Thanks for the post Traci.
Rob,
This post hits home harder than any BLArticle I’ve read. I’ve always strived for perfection which is obviously not attainable, so place undo pressure on myself. As you clearly state, the added tension created by seeking perfection ultimately detracts from comfort and result.
Thanks for putting it in perspective. Any reason you waited all these years to set me straight? Pardon the sarcasm, it is just a shot at myself for not recognizing the detriment of attempting to deliver the perfect presentation.
Happy holidays!,
Jack Evans
Funny. I can assure you I was pretty darn dedicated to perfection for a period of my career. It was a simple exercise that required me to mix it up with an audience member. Each time I did it and it worked out in my favor, the audience smiled. Each time i did it and it did not work out in my favor, the audience bonded with me. “Imperfection is relatable.” Thanks for the post Jack!