Excellence or Perfection?
In your quest for excellence, have you ever found yourself stuck (or worse quitting!) because you just could not figure out how to do something perfect?
Do you wonder what is the difference between the two? Excellence is an attempt to perform a task in the best possible way, whereas perfection is the definite 100% right way of doing anything. Excellence is something that all of us can aspire to ~ Perfection is seldom achievable by mankind.
Another way to think about it: excellence allows for occasional mistakes, yet perfection eliminates that possibility. For example, if I expect perfection from myself, I’ll most likely fail every time!
Have you ever thought about how the two relate in our everyday lives? Perfection is throwing one interception and losing confidence and Excellence is throwing five interceptions, yet coming back to lead your team to victory. Perfection is performance based. Excellence is always based upon improvement. Perfection can make a victory become a failure. Yet, Excellence can turn a failure into victory.
What are some key differences between excellence and perfection:
- Excellence is willing to be wrong. Perfection is being right.
- Excellence is risk. Perfection is fear.
- Excellence is powerful. Perfection is anger and frustration.
- Excellence is spontaneous. Perfection is control.
- Excellence is accepting. Perfection is judgment.
- Excellence is giving. Perfection is taking.
- Excellence is confidence. Perfection is doubt.
- Excellence is flowing. Perfection is pressure.
- Excellence is journey. Perfection is destination.
To best sum it up: Perfection is not a goal, it is a fantasy. Perfection can never be attained. Perfection is not part of our human world. ~ Excellence is attainable, and a very healthy goal for each of us to pursue.
Do you have a clear picture for what excellence looks like for you? Action steps you can take once you have your clear picture is to hold onto that image and take steps daily in that direction ~ whatever excellence is for you!
A great quote to leave you with, “No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers.” ~ Unknown
P.S. I appreciate you stopping by and would enjoy hearing your thoughts on excellence or perfection, so, please feel free to share in the comment box below. And, if you have found my post to be of value to you, and feel it would also be to others, then please free free to share it with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Tags: christine casey, excellence or perfection, goals, Personal Development, personal growth
Beverly Monical – Video & Online Marketing Mentor
Deborah A. Ten Brink – Demystifying Social Media…
Dr. Adam Sheck – Passion 101: Bringing the Passion Back to Your Relationship!
Dr. Erica Goodstone – Create Healing & Love
Val Wilcox – Empowering Your Life's Dreams
ChristineCaseyab.com- Assisting YOU with Solving Problems & Creating Solutions!
Twitter: meetjodilee
Says:
January 17th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Christine – This post is so powerful and we can apply the concept of excellence to any area of our life. I love the list you developed – it’s wall or fridge worthy. Something to look at as a reminder every day.
I’m enjoying your blog!
Cheers,
Jodi
Jodi Lee´s last blog ..Sustainability Requires Planning
ChristineCasey Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Hi Jodi ~ I truly appreciate that you found the post of value & I had not thought of the fridge list, yet after your comments, printed it and put it on my fridge right under my quote by Charles “Tremendous” Jones ‘You are the same today that you are going to be in five years from now except for two things: the people with whom you associate and the books you read’…and actually the only quote I have on my fridge (the others are on my cabinets…lol)
And, likewise, I have enjoyed your blog(s)…just wish I was able to grow the tomatoes & the basil…
Twitter: steveshoemaker
Says:
January 17th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Christine I totally agree with what you are saying perfection can be paralyzing as well if we think that every effort or endeavor has to be perfect. Real results are produced by being active and productive not dotting every i and crossing every t. These are important but secondary to moving in the right direction doing the best we can and striving for excellence which can be hard enough.
Steve
Steve Shoemaker´s last blog ..Cool Facebook Tricks! Use Events For Traffic To A Like Page
January 17th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
I completely agree Christine!
I often see people that are to attached to the need for perfection that this makes them stressed and not very productive.
It is easier and healthier to go with the flow. Acknowledge what you want to achieve and flow towards the goal. Clear, precise and productive.
Thanks Christine!
Aidan Gibson´s last blog ..Why I Use Hootsuite
January 18th, 2011 at 9:33 am
This is the best post I’ve read on this topic, Christine! I love the key differences you’ve listed. It defines each concept clearly and gives a moment to think about why on earth we’d want to be perfect when excellent is so much more fun!
Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..Find the Missing Insight Game
ChristineCasey Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Thanks Teresa, and absolutely luv what you stated: “why on earth we’d want to be perfect when excellent is so much more fun!”
Twitter: themommybrand
Says:
January 18th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I love this Christine! So many of us often beat ourselves up because we feel like we come up short at the end of the day, and we overlook the successes and/or improvements that were had. Thanks for sharing this – I’ll share it with the young moms that read my blog!
Jenny
ChristineCasey Reply:
January 19th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Hi Jenny! I’m so glad you found my post valuable, and appreciate you sharing with your readers
Twitter: Kathysammons
Says:
January 18th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
I love your descriptions of perfection. They are so true!!! I used to say I am a perfectionist because when I do something I have to make sure that it is exactly right therefore it takes me awhile to do things.
But now that I know that perfection is a myth, I find correct myself when I say that because I am really just striving for excellence and I will not use perfection as an excuse for my time consuming tasks. They take me as long as they take me.
Thanks for this post.
Kathy
Kathy Sammons Dot Com
January 18th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Great way to describe the difference between perfection and excellence. Very interesting list. Perfectionists are very hard on themselves and your list shows why that is.
karin´s last blog ..7 Facebook promotion strategies
January 18th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
As a recovering perfectionist, I can tell you that the Pursuit of Excellence is a far more satisfying and rewarding way to live.
Great list and extremely appropriate for those of us who tend to STOP if it can’t be Perfect!
Bliss-ings,
the goddess known as Jacqui
Jacqueline Gates´s last blog ..Goals and Good Habits
Twitter: YourGiantWithin
Says:
January 18th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hi Christine,
Sassy! This is brilliant. I love how you have made it so obvious that perfection isn’t even worth pursuing. Excellence sounds so much better (and is actually attainable) that it should give many of us permission to let go of anything else. Thanks for excellence is a journey. Have a POWERFUL week! Allegra
Allegra Sinclair´s last blog ..Seattle Didnt Belong in the Playoffs- but Nobody Told Them
ChristineCasey Reply:
January 19th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Hi Allegra and thanks so much!
January 19th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Hello Christine,
Enjoyed your article comparing excellence to perfection. My take is that God seems to have created this beautiful earth and everything in it to become all that it can become. A good question to ask, “How tall does a tree grow?, answer, “As tall as it can.” When I associate it to life and my personal enterprise, I also become all that I can become.
A wise man once said: “You don’t have to be extra ordinary to be successful, just do things extra ordinary.”
Go out and make today your best day ever!
Lloyd Dobson
Lloyd Dobson´s last blog ..Become a Real Leader This Is What a Real Leader Stands For
January 19th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Christine,
Wonderful post! I have never thought of comparing excellence to perfection. I have thought of comparing mediocrity or ordinariness or average to perfection. Most of us still think of perfection as the goal or ideal. What a relief to think that we can strive for excellence, allowing for difficulties, delays, obstacles, pressures, mistakes, errors – and still be reaching for excellence and actually achieving it.
Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone´s last blog ..Intentional Love
ChristineCasey Reply:
January 19th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Absolutely wonderful way to phrase it Erica ~ I appreciate your kind thoughts and stopping by and sharing
January 19th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Excellent post, Christine. It’s so easy to get trapped by seeking perfection rather than excellence – so often we can get stuck” in trying to make something better rather than accepting that if it’s already excellent there is no benefit in spending more time on it.
There also occasions when it’s necessary to achieve facility rather than excellence. I wrote a post about this a while ago that you might find interesting. Here is the link:
http://alanjenkin.sdword.com/2010/10/04/excellence-and-facility/
I really like the design of your blog, too, by the way!
Alan
Alan Jenkin´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions That Work!
Twitter: PEQUAH
Says:
January 19th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Christine,
Great post with all the comparison given between excellence or perfection. I am definitely a non believer of perfection and your tips on both difference makes me even more convinced !
Thank you for your sharing, Christine.
Pearly
Pearly´s last blog ..Can This Be Your Dream Too Part 2
Twitter: Debbie_L
Says:
January 19th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I used to think that perfectionists had it all wrong. That was until I did some deep, personal work and discovered I was a closet perfectionist. It held me back because I didn’t even want to try for fear of it not being perfect.
I counter act that with challenging myself to do something at 90%. Compared to inaction, 90% works great for me.
Debbie Lattuga´s last blog ..Authentic Happiness Part 1
Twitter: stephaniedeneke
Says:
January 19th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
I was stuck in striving for perfection for a long time until someone gave me advice “quit being busy perfecting everything and get busy doing something”
Perfection is so paralyzing.
I love your compare/contrast between excellence and perfection
~Stephanie
Stephanie Deneke´s last blog ..By- Stephanie Deneke
January 19th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Great post. I love that you talked about this topic. I know many people who strive to be perfectionist and I watch them and they are so unhappy all the time and find it so sad. Excellence sounds and is so much better. We can take the time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy what is around us.
Love always
Julie Elliott
Twitter: lvkline
Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Hi Christine,
I LOVE it! This is a great inspiring post and I thank you for it. Striving for perfection can be such a blocking force whereas if we allow ourselves the possibility of continued growth, it can be the opposite.
I also love that you are a double winner this week. A huge congratulations on that as well!
Thanks so much for this post. ~ Linnea
Twitter: mywebgal
Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Hi Christine,
I love this! Ah! I totally agree… Perfection is not a goal, it is a fantasy. Perfection, in my book, holds you back from ever progressing… or from doing at all! I often say that in posts on my own blog.
I like the comparisons you gave between perfection and excellence. I had never really thought about it that way, but you’re spot on. The difference between the two are expansive and extremely important to understand. The way you laid it out here is unique and empowering. Very cool!
Deb Augur´s last blog ..5 – Mashing It Up On Video and Other Vlog Strategies
Twitter: deannatroupe
Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
I love this post. It’s perfect for people like me. I often get bogged down with trying to make sure that everything is “perfect” before I will complete a new project or attempt anything else new. I love the distinction that you made between excellence and perfection. It will give me something to think about in 2011.
Twitter: JWean
Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
This is a great way to look at it. Thanks for really breaking it down. Onward to excellent.
January 21st, 2011 at 2:00 am
Hi Christine,
I’ve been like that in the past where i’ve wanted everything to be ‘perfect’ but then nothing ever really happened as a result so i’ve definitely had to learn to let go of that.
I love the list you put together; like Jodi said, it’s fridge worthy! In fact, i’m going to print it out to keep. Thanks!
Denise
Denise´s last blog ..How Can Asking Yourself Questions Improve Your Life
Twitter: sharisax
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:04 am
Christine, you probably read, or have heard of Superblogger Seth Godin, who has written many popular marketing books. His most recent Linchpin discusses characteristics of those people who really get things done.
“Done” means actually shipping — and not waiting until everything is perfect. Perfection does not come. Excellence, as you point out, is based on improving effort.
Twitter: WillenaRose
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 am
Perfection leads to that dreaded “all or nothing” downward spiral. So often I’ve found myself in that state of mind, only to quit early on. Excellence leaves me feeling fulfilled and empowered, knowing I have done VERY well. I’m glad I’m learning the difference!
Willena Flewelling
January 21st, 2011 at 7:54 am
Such a wonderful blog post Christine. Great comparison between perfection and excellent. Strive for excellence, the more mistakes you make the more excellent you become and the more successful.
Twitter: donniemillernow
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 9:19 am
Wow, another great post Christine! Perfection is something that none of us will ever attain… however, Excellence can be achieved by everyone on a daily basis and it’s so much MORE rewarding!
Thank you for the reminder!
~ Donnie
Donnie Miller´s last blog ..How To Grow Your Business NOW! and for the Long Term
Twitter: louisesteiner
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hi Christine…Like Jacqueline Gates, I too am a recovering perfectionist. I still have some way to go, but your list is pure gold and definitely something I will print out and put on the wall near my desk. Thank you for putting it into such great context.
Louise
Louise Steiner´s last blog ..Do Follow- No Follow Do Follow Blogs List Does It Really Matter
January 21st, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Great post Christine! Perfection is definitely a damaging ideal. Striving for excellence is so much healthier and attainable. I love your list of comparisons.
Wendy
Wendy Hewlett´s last blog ..Make Your Blog Mobile Device Compatible
Twitter: janettestoll
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Hey Christine,
Awesome post! I love that quote too. I feel really blessed that my parents expected us to always do our best but never demanded perfection. As you outlined above, there’s a HUGE difference. Perfection is the best way to stop yourself from making progress because you’ll always question yourself. When I get a bit obsessive that things have to be just right – I remind myself not everyone’s going to like what I do and that’s okay
.
Love this post.
Janette
http://www.marketingdirectsales.com
January 21st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Hi Christine, I have seen first hand the path that perfection leads to. Many times children are expected to be “perfect” and this is always unattainable. Children learn from those around then. Once they grow into adults and they are not “perfect” then, it creates a whole snowball effect. Excellence is much more attainable for children or adults and much more forgiving. This was a very powerful article. Thanks
~Darlene
Darlene Mills´s last blog ..Eiro Research- Distributors Terminated
Twitter: lorionmaui
Says:
January 21st, 2011 at 10:11 pm
I love this article! I have always be “a perfectionist” and knew it was not the right path but I never really thought of the opposite. Striving for excellence is so much more attainable!
I really like the part about confidence vs. doubt. That makes so much sense.
Lori
Lori Mooney´s last blog ..Tony Robbins Says- “Make Small Changes – Get BIG Results”
Twitter: itsmeEdward
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 8:07 am
Great topic Christine. The striving for perfection that most people do these days totally distracts them from their true excellence that is inside them waiting to get out. So many people just do nothing since they figure if it can’t be perfect that I am not doing it.
Thanks for sharing this with us all.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
The GREAT Edward!
The GREAT Edward´s last blog ..Wisdom In A Moment – The Discipline of Authenticity
Twitter: Susan_Redmon
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 am
Christine, thanks for the reminder about excellence vs. perfection. Striving for perfection simply leads to frustration … constantly redoing tasks but not moving forward.
Your post is a real eye opener.
Wishing you good health and prosperity,
Susan
Susan Redmon´s last blog ..Take Control of Your Wealth by Robert Kiyosaki
Twitter: arthurjrisme
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Great post Christine,
You make very valid and crucial points. I love how you distinguish the two, you said, ” Excellence is an attempt to perform a task in the best possible way, whereas perfection is the definite 100% right way of doing anything.” I couldnt have said it better.
Can wait for the your next post,
Have a good one,
Taralee Bernier
Arthur Jr. and Taralee Bernier´s last blog ..Purpose Driven Social Media Pt 2 Powerful Presence
Twitter: passion101
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Christine,
This is an EXCELLENT post! I really enjoyed and appreciated the distinctions you made between excellence and perfection, especially “Excellence is spontaneous. Perfection is control.” I know that sometimes I get paralyzed by trying to get something perfect and it just never gets done. In psychology, there is the concept of the “good enough mother” who while not perfect, has enough of the good qualities to ensure an emotionally healthy child. Imperfect action is superior to no action!
Thanks so much for sharing this,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last blog ..Does The 80-20 Rule Apply To Relationships
Twitter: MegavistaHealth
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Great article Christine, it made me think about something. I’ve heard of Centre of Excellence’s but I’ve never heard of Centre of Perfectionists – and now I know why!
Twitter: mlmwiseguy
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Great post Christine.
I love this statement…
“Do you wonder what is the difference between the two? Excellence is an attempt to perform a task in the best possible way, whereas perfection is the definite 100% right way of doing anything. Excellence is something that all of us can aspire to ~ Perfection is seldom achievable by mankind”.
ALso when you say… “Perfection is the best way to stop yourself from making progress…”
I know for me personally, I would put projects off if I felt I couldn’t get it perfect.
Thanks
Guy
Guy Santeramo´s last blog ..Great Inspirational Video by Will Smith
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
Says:
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Dear Christine,
Thank you for this insightful tribute to the rewards of excellence! Perfectionism is a trap for the unwary. A never ending struggle to achieve the impossible. I fought that battle for many years and it was always a losing one.
Today, I strive for the best that can be done under the circumstances….time, money, accessibility, etc. I also figured out that other people could pick up the slack and I didn’t have to do it all myself. WHAT A RELIEF!
This is an important topic and I am glad that you are addressing it!
Mentor Mama
http://www.ishouldhavelistenedtomymother.com
Twitter: geniussquared
Says:
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 am
Love the post Christine!
One of the Genius Declarations that I have my clients use is “Focus on progress not perfection.”
Progress focuses on what went right and what could be improved. Perfection focuses on what’s not perfect.
It’s our imperfections that make us unique.
To Your Genius,
Eiji
Eiji Morishita´s last blog ..Speaking – Skill of the Highly Paid
Twitter: bryanmch
Says:
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:07 am
Hi Christine,
You burst my bubble with this post!
Always told my wife that I am perfect and now
I can see why she never believed me…ha!ha!:-)
A saying we use a lot…
“Near enough is not good enough” is a call for excellence not perfection.
Thanks for the distinction.
Excellent post.
Cheers
Bryan
Twitter: Lori07
Says:
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:19 am
Hello Christine,
Love this post, the differences between the two can ultimately change your world and your perception of yourself and other people.
Lori
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:26 pm
I would much rather be excellent than perfect!
It is the imperfections that make you great and help you grow.
Great post.
Maggie Lancy´s last blog ..Do you feel urgency while you are building your network marketing business
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Hi Christine,
I always thought that I am not a perfectionist but rather a guy who makes things work. After reading your powerful post, I must say that I think I am more a perfectionist than I thought. My personality according to your post is more likely to make and do things perfect rather than anything else. It guess it goes back to the days in my live where “Perfection” was the minimum requirement and all I wanted to be was be excellent.
There is nothing wrong with perfection, but vise versa it can hold one back to achieve excellence.
-Thomas Lierzer
January 24th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
This is one of the BEST blog posts I have read in a long time! One of my favorite definitions of success or “excellence” is by Earl Nightingale, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.”
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this. Two thumbs WAY UP!
Eddie Espiritu´s last blog ..The Fastest Way to Multiple 6 Figures
Twitter: julieannevanzyl
Says:
January 25th, 2011 at 5:38 am
Hi Christine, I love your post also! This is why you hear groans or sighs in the room when someone realizes another person is a perfectionist! Because, everyone knows they will keep on and on, striving for perfection, but it’s hardly ever finished!
Imagine how boring life would be if we were all perfect! And, perfect in who’s opinion? Mine or yours:-)
bye for now, Julieanne
Julieanne van Zyl´s last blog ..Video Marketing for your Internet Network Marketing Business
Twitter: mrkstephens
Says:
January 26th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Hello Christine,
Thank you so much for this post, it rings so true.
Striving for perfection is a trap that can strangle progress, personal or professional, and limit your ability to benefit from the warm feelings of each ’success’ that you have.
Feeling the need to achieve perfection will certainly result in your confronting failure to often than is healthy.
I used to be that way until a realised that doing your best was good enough.
I wonder why it happens to people – a need to please others, insecurity or conditioning? Hmm – straying into some deep water here I think…
Anyway, great post and I’d like to share it, thanks
mark stephens´s last blog ..What Is The Six Figure Mentors Webinar Recording
Twitter: SocialBeeOnline
Says:
January 26th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Christine:
Thank you for the excellent insight. I agree that perfection is unattainable, and yet find myself often reaching for it anyway. I will heed your council and reach instead for excellence, which I know I can often achieve.
BTW, I wanted to tell you how much I love your logo. It is very professional and appealing.
Live with passion and purpose,
Vanessa
Social Media Vanessa´s last blog ..Why Are You Using Social Media
Twitter: LorenGreig
Says:
January 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Great list of key differences between perfection and excellence, Christine! You make it obvious to want to choose excellence every time. I know how hard it is to push forward with that ‘need to be perfect’ idea blocking us. It’s so much kinder and easier on ourselves to let go of perfectionism, embrace the freedom of striving for excellence, and keep moving forward! I notice myself letting go more and more of the desire to be perfect and I kinda like the relaxed feeling it brings.
)
Twitter: bethnelsonallen
Says:
January 27th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I LOVE this post, Christine! I wrote a post on the same topic last year sometime, because this is something I really had to work to fully comprehend in my mid 20’s. I spent my teens and early 20’s as a perfectionist, and all that happened is that I let myself down time and time again (despite being pretty darn great, something I can say now that I’ve made the shift to excellence!)
Thanks for the great inspiration, this is a distinction that truly transformed my life, so I’m thrilled to see others writing on it.
Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Trapeze Turning the Fear of Transformation into the Transformation of Fear
Twitter: KevinMartineau
Says:
February 5th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Hi Christine:
Great contrast between excellence and perfection! Sometimes we (I) can blur the line between the two.
Thanks for these great words!
Kevin
Kevin Martineau´s last blog ..25 things I hate about facebook
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:45 am
Christine, wow! So many good points on one page!!
I used to be on the perfection side but when I started my self-development work and especially in the last few years I moved to the excellence side. It’s funny because there are still things that I very much care about. Some may call it perfection, some may call it detailed oriented. Because I do really care how things look like, my sense of aesthetic and the architecture and graphic design experience I had in my career journey…but I can see how things shifted for me and I can consciously catch myself when I am the perfection side of the fence and when I am on the excellence side. The last one certainly feels much much better.
“See” you soon.
Looking forward to read more of your creations.
Sigal Zoldan
http://AttractYourTrueLove.com
http://blog.sigalzoldan.com
Sigal Zoldan´s last blog ..Finding Balance Through The 4 Areas Of Alignment
Twitter: misslesliemusic
Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Hi Christine. Thanks for this wonderful post. While I do believe that we can be perfect in some things, we are so much off to strive for excellence in most things. Frequently having that ‘perfection goal’ becomes an excuse for never getting anything done. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a song in your heart,
Miss Leslie @ Music with Miss Leslie.com
Miss Leslie´s last blog ..The House That Built Me
March 8th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Hi Christine,
Yet another great blog post…thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
I love the way you think outside of the box and attack questions is such a thought provoking way.
This is one of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein… “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Since it is important to stretch your limits and go outside of your comfort zone in order to really grow as a person…mistakes are inevitable.
As long as you learn from those mistakes, it is one of the best ways to learn and prosper. If you strive for perfection and make no mistakes, you will NOT grow, but be stifled at every turn.
I choose Excellence and this post is excellent.
To your massive success,
Marc
Marc Korn´s last blog ..Stop Procrastination Now and Eat That Frog!
Twitter: nomorewhining
Says:
March 18th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Hi Christine,
I enjoy reading your posts and this one is no exception. I agree with your sentiments 100%. Perfection is a pipe dream, and aiming for it always makes us feel like failures. As you rightly said, perfection is not really achievable by mere humans like us. Excellence on the other hand, is a healthy goal: we can do our best, then improve on our efforts. We continually get better. Mark Twain put it this way, “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”
Have a great day my friend!
Hazel-Ann La Fortune´s last blog ..FREE Chapter Now Available
Twitter: jbennett2020
Says:
March 24th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Hey Christine,
Great post…. I think many of us fall into the trap of trying to be a perfectionist and suffering from it greatly because you are correct— it’s unattainable.
Striving for excellence is a worthwhile goal while at the same time remembering that perfection doesn’t exist.
I really like that quote ( “No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers”)…. going to share that with others.
Thanks,
-jamie
Jamie Bennett @ my lead system pro´s last blog ..The Inside Secret- What You Don’t Know that You Don’t Know
Twitter: raenalynntweet1
Says:
April 15th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Hi Christine,
I really appreciate this post on perfectionism compared to excellence. The list really clarifies the difference between the two. I printed this list out and posted it in my office. I think it is an excellent guide for any perfectionist because all one has to do is stop, become aware of what he/she is feeling at the moment about whatever project is being pursued. It will trigger whether the path being pursued is perfection or excellence. An example comes to mine is creating an article for a newsletter. As it is being created, and a feeling of frustration surfaces, then the perfection mode is in gear. If the feeling is powerful, then excellence is dominant. I think it’s worth re-posting. Thanks Christine. This is greatly appreciated:)
Excellence is willing to be wrong. Perfection is being right.
Excellence is risk. Perfection is fear.
Excellence is powerful. Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is spontaneous. Perfection is control.
Excellence is accepting. Perfection is judgment.
Excellence is giving. Perfection is taking.
Excellence is confidence. Perfection is doubt.
Excellence is flowing. Perfection is pressure.
Excellence is journey. Perfection is destination.
PS Why did I have to backspace each line of the list so it was aligned to the edge after pasting the list in this post? Just kidding haha
Raena Lynn´s last blog ..The Avoidance Project “I will try again tomorrow” doesn’t work
Twitter: steveshoemaker
Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Christine,
Wow that was a great post. That made me think about just last night trying to shoot a video and just couldn’t in my mind get the lines right so to speak. It had to be perfect and you know what when it didn’t get there guess what I quit. Thanks for reminding me that I don’t have to perfect but just keep striving to be better.
Steve
Steve Shoemaker´s last blog ..Using Podcast For Content