Excellence

I was listening to a teaching by Paul Tsika today and what was the subject of part of his speech, but perfectionism.  He made some really incredible points that opened up some new ideas, so I figured it might be a perfect opportunity to share some of these with you.  He observed that there are 2 kinds of motivated people.  The first being Perfectionistic and the second Pursuer of Excellence.

I don't think it is rocket science to see which one of the two is ideal.  But let me emphasize some of the benefits that contribute to being a Pursuer of Excellence over Perfectionistic.  You see, perfectionists are innately self-focused.  They demand unattainable things of themselves and are disappointed when the outcome is negative.  Sadly, unreasonable demands will always lead to an unachieved goal.  And along with this disappointing outcome comes another reason to lose hope in oneself.  You see, perfectionistic people derive their self-esteem from their accomplishments, not the process and effort it took to get there.  This is because the value of their accomplishments comes from others.  

This is an absolutely terrible place to be in.  If your value comes from the satisfaction and approval of others, you will always be at the mercy of others.  Putting your success in the hands of others is ridding yourself the opportunity to determine your future.  This makes you a victim if the decisions of others lead you wrong.  

The more that I dig deeper into the harms of perfectionism, the more I am saddened by how long I have carried this mentality.  I am not saying it is not possible to find success as a perfectionist, but it is much more of a game of chance than it is a purposeful achievement.  It is also a very lonely road.  Because outside of having to depend on others to determine your satisfaction, you also feel the need to compete with others rather then using their critiques and criticisms to guide you.  There is a wealth of knowledge from so many people that have come before you.  If you choose to look at that success as threatening, it will forever rob you the opportunity to stand on their shoulders.  If you have ever played sports, you know this to be very true.  I played soccer all through middle and high school, but I still remember some of the first instruction I got.  I was a young girl when I first practiced passing to a teammate.  The teammate saw me kick and was able to instruct me to kick the ball with the side of my foot rather than the tip.  Rudimentary, but this allowed for better precision, and a capability to direct the ball where I wanted it to go.  At that time I had a decision.  Would I allow this teammate's advice to change and improve my pass or consider this instruction a threat and be defensive?  It would be ridiculous to do anything but follow the instruction of a fellow teammate, yet that is the path some people take.  

But that is a lonely path.  And sadly enough, that loneliness is self-inflicted.  I am assuming you understand well-enough that one will never be as strong as a team.  There is no way.  So I guess we have a decision.  To allow for growth and accept others, or to walk it alone.  I know what I choose.  And hopefully you will join me.

"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" -Ecclesiastes 4:10