The Blogging Platypus

I Will Do Better Next Time A few days ago, I wrote about how the quest for perfection can stifle our ability to learn new things. If we fail the first time we do something, how likely are you to keep trying new things until you either become so focused on it that nothing else matters, or you give up out of frustration? The lure of perfection can be quite consuming. If we put the idea of perfection out of our realm of consciousness, we can then start to focus on how you can improve upon the last result. Then continue to improve until the desired outcome is obtained. Doing better the next time almost puts the gears in your head into motion, thinking about ways to improve your outcome of a specific task. However, if we keep thinking about how we can improve the next time we encounter a situation, we risk the potential to revert back to how we handled it the last time. If we keep thinking that we always have a next time, we may eventually run out of time. Tomorrow is not promised, b...

My Work Does Not Have to be Perfect to be a Success It was impeccable timing, pulling this affirmation today. See, I can often be a bit of a perfectionist. While that trait is certainly good in several fields where accuracy and perfection is required, it can also stifle the creative process. If we are afraid of making mistakes, if we are worried that the creation we have in our heads will be less than perfect, we may refrain from beginning in the first place. Whether it is writing, painting, or chainmail, if we are too worried about failing, we will become our own stumbling block. If we keep doing that, we can become constipated. Not only figuratively when it comes to our creativity, but also literally, as the stress we place upon ourselves can mess with our body. The gut-brain can become so consumed with fear of imperfection that it will literally slow down the digestion and elimination processes. While we strive for perfection, we tend to lose the enjoyment of a process. When ...