Why It's Good to Be Imperfect




Perfectionism sucks you dry, plain and simple. I’ve been reading Apolo Anton Ohno’s book Zero Regrets: Be Greater Than Yesterday. I wasn’t surprised to learn that perfectionism is something that he struggled with in his sports career. To be successful you have to have the desire to work to your greatest ability, the problem lies in pushing yourself so far beyond your limits, that being perfect becomes a impediment to achieving what you want.


In Apolo’s words: “My personal best is good enough, as long as I’ve given it everything I’ve got. It’s too intense and appreciate all the stairs you’ve already climbed.”


If you are struggling with perfectionism, there is nothing wrong with you. It’s just an imbalance. And I’m not talking chemically. A part of you has gone into overdrive and push ourselves physically. We believe that will get us what we want. Nothing could be further from the truth.


In our quest to be perfect we are denying what we don’t like about ourselves. We don’t think our ideas are good enough so we’ll keep working on them until they get better. We think we don’t measure up (the measurement is usually in our mind), so we work really hard to make ourselves better because that will get us what we want thereby making us feel better. Only it never seems to work, with each achievement we still cast doubt on ourselves.


The truth is that you are enough, right now in this moment. Everything you think, do, and say is exactly what it is supposed to be. In it’s own imperfect way, you are living a perfect version of your life. Once you stop trying to fix it by working harder, more, or better; your true genius will emerge.


If you notice yourself on the perfectionist path ask yourself why you are approaching a task in a particular way. If the answer is “because that’s the way it is done” or that’s the only way to get ahead”: you are not recognizing your own unique abilities.  How do I know? It lacks passion. Your why is about who you are and mind.

2 Comments on Why It's Good to Be Imperfect

  1. I really resonated with this post. You don’t realize how much energy you spend on being perfect until you slow down and take stock. For me, that’s a lot of energy that would be better used in my business. So thanks for a great reminder!

    One of my favorite perfectionism-related quotes goes something like, “Perfectionists are losers”. Beth Chen has it in her office. Funny:).

  2. Laura says:

    Hey Carrie! Yup I know that “perfectionists are losers” quote. I believe it came from Ramit Sethi on one of his posts from his blog “I will tach you to be rich”. It’s a phrase I keep in mind quite often, especially when I feel fear creeping in!

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