We all know the old saying, “Practice makes perfect.” But consider it this way—practice makes—period. (Okay, I have no idea how to correctly punctuate that thought.)
Today I was struck with the thought that since I started disciplining myself to follow the idea of “better done than perfect” I have accomplished a lot. I never like to waste anything so I always want my first try at anything to be useful, edible, whatever. But sometimes that means I spend far too much time fretting over the details before I actually get started. Rather than trying to make the first try perfect, I have gone ahead and just tried. And in doing so I have freed myself to try again sooner. That in and of itself is energizing. Granted, it helps that a lot of the projects I’ve been doing lately have been done entirely with materials I already have in the house. So I’m not spending any money or wasting anything, rather I’m reclaiming it from dust collecting status. Not only do I have more finished projects, I’m learning from those and immediately pouring the learning into the next try. All in far less time than I have usually taken to complete the first try. And the quality of the results? Perfectly usable for the most part.
I’ve known for a long time that I’m never going to attain perfection in any area. But now I’m attempting to apply that knowledge to the attitude with which I do everyday tasks. I haven’t changed my goals, just made an agreement with myself to value each step along the way as much as the end goal itself.
I’m not really saying anything new here. Just reminding myself. ;)