“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt
This quote now hangs on the wall over my two work laptops. It’s a reminder, as I sit down to begin working and at the end of the workday, to simply do my best. As someone who continues to work towards shaking off the terrible trait of chasing perfection, and focus instead on seeking balance in life, it is a challenge. Doing my best instead of excelling in all areas of my life typically means falling short somewhere. But, as Sean and I have discussed on numerous occasions, my thoughts on falling short are unrealistic. Being behind on housework to complete a big work project or the kids having a home cooked meal as a family later than I would like because I was working doesn’t mean I am failing to maintain our home or as a mom. But I feel that way at times.
A few months ago my daughter and I were working on a project together. I was focusing on a particular aspect of it when Princess Daisy looked up and said, “Mom, it doesn’t have to be perfect.” No, it didn’t and I don’t have to be perfect either. I just have to continue to remind myself each day what is important.
Enjoy life.
Be happy.
There’s no room for perfection.
How do you balance and keep perspective?
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Comments
13 responses to “It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect”
Oh my gosh, Kelly! So funny that this is the last thing that I wrote about too. It must be in the air. :-)
Maybe it’s all the resolutions we set and then, like a sugar rush, we just crash. I just need to get the perspective back and remind myself I am not Superwoman.
Unfortunately you assume I *do* manage to balance AND keep perspective. Balancing is hard, I have an inner ear thing, probably from that time I fell and broke my face.
To keep perspective I like to draw trees and buildings the same size as people. It also makes me feel like a giant.
Thank you for sharing, Kelly!
Thanks for the comment! I am working on balance sans inner ear issue. :)
“There’s no room for perfection” — pretty solid thought there.
Sometimes perfection is okay but not when it gets in the way of life, and family, and productivity and stuff. I think often that people don’t do anything at all becuase they’re upset it won’t be perfect or that someone else could do it better, but you know, a “good enough” something is better than a perfect nothing.
So be just good enough. And enjoy life and your family! :-)
You have a great point, TB. I need to just find a balance. I will always work towards excelling in my life, but I need to give myself some room to let something slide when I have a big work project, for example. I am mindful of this quality I have and am working towards finding the balance. I know I will get there! Thanks for the encouraging words.
I know that perfectionist beast well. I have to beat it down daily. But I’m gaining on it! Truly!
I know you struggle as well. We have so much in common, Kimberly. I do well and then I have setbacks. Typically following a setback is when I write about it.
I used to work in an order management group where we were always swamped and very deadline-driven, and one of my coworkers was fond of reminding me that “you can only do what you can do when you can do it.” I try to remember that mantra and use it – especially around the holidays, or during NaNoWriMo.
Sometimes it works!
Thanks, Joe! I am trying to keep perspective during the more stressful times.
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If the Princess is that wise now, just imagine how amazing she’ll be when she grows up to be a Queen! :-) Sometimes our kids are so much smarter than we are. Mine still is…and he’s not even a kid anymore.
I continue to learn so much from my kids and from being a mom. It’s so rewarding on many levels.