Negative Perfection: Striving for Growth Without Sacrificing Your Identity
Perfection has become a buzzword in today's society, with many of us striving for it at all costs. However, this pursuit often requires us to sacrifice our happiness and time, and in some cases, our identity and self-worth. This is what we refer to as negative perfection, when it becomes a barrier or toxic rhetoric to our individual growth.
As a child, my father, a small business owner who had experienced tough times on his journey, shared a quote with me that has stayed with me to this day: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop" - Confucius... and Phil
To me, these words mean that we cannot let the fear of failure stop our growth. Failure is a natural part of the learning process, and the minute we stop or stall, we create barriers in our path. Instead, we should keep moving forward, knowing that the Pareto Principle states that 80% of our success will come from 20% of our work.
We must also recognise our unique skills and play to our advantage. Each of us is an individual with a unique perspective, and we should welcome discussion and collaboration as our views will be of value. Embracing our successes is also crucial. In a world that moves fast, it's easy to forget to take a moment to feel joy and share our accomplishments.
In summary, negative perfection can be detrimental to our growth and well-being. By embracing failure as part of the learning process, recognising our strengths, and celebrating our successes, we can strive for growth without sacrificing our identity.
