Letting Go of Perfect
/Rod Judkins shares, “Perfectionism can be a roadblock to new ideas; it is a full stop, whereas imperfection can lead somewhere unexpected.” Now that my daughter has started kindergarten, I’m newly conscious of the pressures we put on ourselves (and our offspring) in the quest for progress, development and, in some cases, perfection. Perfection, of course, is an unachievable state. In business, as in life, we strive for an ideal, but usually need to settle for less. As we mature, we surrender the urge to fixate on these unattainable outcomes. To my fellow type A personalities (you know who you are), we still cling to the possibility of the flawless.
Creativity and perfection have a strained relationship. Many creative people I’ve known struggle with constant dissatisfaction. They automatically focus on what can be improved, from the brushstroke to the body line extension to the clarity and pitch of a sustained note. The unyielding intrinsic motivation to continue to improve one’s craft is a mixed blessing.
In business, we likewise quest for unblemished greatness. We create quarterly review processes and short-term performance goals that encourage temporary achievement, rather than repeatable progress and development. We get tunnel vision on the false concept of a destination, rather than the process of discovery.
When we focus instead on learning, curiosity leads to the discovery of true insights. These are two hallmarks of creativity. Curiosity and discovery keep us tumbling forward, asking the next question, withholding prejudgment, and opening ourselves up to the new. They are the antidote to frustration about the disconnect between expectations and reality. They urge us to enjoy the ride, relish the tinkering, and try something novel, recognizing that wisdom comes not despite our stumbling but because of it. Curiosity reminds us there is always another layer to peel away. Discovery is the sweet reward from that process.
As we move into back-to-school mode, we commit to a new year of learning. We invite the discovery process to teach us something new about our clients, colleagues and ourselves. We set goals that involve a journey, not a short-term fix. It won’t lead to perfection. But I now believe the truly extraordinary nestles among the imperfections that make us human. We grow when we let go of perfect. And the process of learning may be the best lesson of all.