Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to do your best, and often your best doesn't look like going all out all the time. This is especially true when you are making changes in your life. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment and failure, allow yourself some room to breathe and not be perfect. Life is a process and it takes time, so commit to doing your best 80% of the time and implement the new change slowly, but consistently.
Whenever you decide to make a change in your life, there will be a learning curve. It will take time to get all the pieces to come together and fully embrace the change. Don't be too hard on yourself if you are not perfect and you do not do everything 100% of the time. As long as you are consistent and do at least 80% of the new behavior every day, you are well on your way. You can also give yourself permission not to be perfect, but to be in the process. It takes time for any new change to become part of your every day routine. If you give yourself permission not to be perfect, but to stay persistent, you will have a better chance of sticking with the change and not be overwhelmed by it.
Perfectionism is the road to disappointment. No one can do everything perfectly 100% of the time, especially when you are trying to make changes in your life. I have committed to taking vitamins and supplements, which is all part of my getting super healthy. Most days I take all of them right on schedule, some days I forget to take a portion of them, and once in a while I forget to take any of them. I am getting much better, but it is a process. More and more, taking them is becoming a habit and just one of those things I do, like brushing my teeth, but I have given myself permission to shoot for 80% consistency, and not 100% perfection.
When implementing change in your life, go for 80% consistency. Over time you will become more consistent and the change will become habit, but it takes time. If you tell yourself you have to do it perfectly from the start, you are likely to become overwhelmed and give up. So, instead of setting yourself up for disappointment, create a structure where you can't fail, you can only improve.
There Are Always More Nos Than Yeses
Although it may not seem true, if we think about it, we will come to realize that there are always more nos than yeses. We will be turned down more often than not. The good news is that the more nos we get the more the yeses will increase. It is a numbers game. The more often we ask the more our chances of success increase.
You Can't Have An Intelligent Conversation With Everyone
Intelligent conversation is one of life's pleasures. I love nothing better than to engage in conversation with someone who has ideas to share, different perspectives, and is interesting. An intelligent conversation is food for the brain. All too sadly, not everyone can carry on an intelligent conversation. This has less to do with their intelligence quotient (IQ) than with their emotional quotient (EQ). Only a self-aware, self-confident person with excellent social skills has the ability to engage in intelligent conversation.
Don't Be Jealous - Be Inspired
When we see people do things we cannot do, or have things we don't have, it might be tempting to be a little jealous. But, jealousy doesn't lead to anything except resentment, and that isn't going to help you. Instead of being jealous of others, focus on being inspired. Let the success of others move you forward toward your own success. After all, people who are doing things you want to do or have things you want are examples of what is possible for you.
