1. Give yourself and others permission not to be perfect.
24 www. AspireMAG. net | October / November 2018
“ Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’ s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.”
– BRENE BROWN
creativity, authenticity, evolution, and growth. Perfectionism robs us of our value and worth and focuses our attention on the negative rather than on our potential. And our unrealistic expectations impact our relationships not only with ourselves, but with others, which fuels our guilt and shame. Perfectionism feeds a scarcity mindset and undermines our ability to receive blessings and see the infinite possibilities available to us.
I love Brene Brown’ s distinction that“ Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’ s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.”
What if instead of holding ourselves to unrealistic and unattainable expectations, we give up on being perfect and choose to cultivate nurturing expectations of ourselves.
This empowering and liberating choice will support us in cultivating a reserve of compassion, self-love, gratitude, perspective, and energy so that we can show up authentically, courageously, and fully engaged in our lives.
Here are 5 steps to giving up perfectionism in order to thrive:
1. Give yourself and others permission not to be perfect.
This is an important first step and intention in the healing process. When we declare that we do not expect ourselves or others to be perfect, we create healthier and more encouraging environments where learning and growth are valued and appreciated.
24 www. AspireMAG. net | October / November 2018