Better Than Perfect

We all want to do the best we can do, to be our own version of perfect.  I resolve to stop eating cheese (all those calories from fatty animal sources, messing with my HDL levels).  I pledge to only spend money on the things that are absolutely needed by my family so that I can afford college tuition fees for my children.  I swear I’ll complete a 30’ workout before work every morning until the next bikini season.  I vow that I will never say anything critical or negative to my partner so that we’ll have a better, healthier relationship.

I never quite succeed in my aim of perfection.  Inevitably, it’s all or nothing.  After that initial burst of energy and attempts at perfection, I fail – sometimes miserably!  I eat more than my fair share of that exquisite extra-old gouda at a cocktail party on Saturday night.  I sleep in and have to miss my spinning class on Wednesday and then forgo the rest of the week.  I’ve run out of energy and don’t bother continuing.

And then I feel guilty.  Or depressed.  And that’s no good.  And it won’t help me achieve my long-term goals.

My friend Steve always said:

Perfection is the enemy of good enough.

Good enough it is.  Now, I promise to be better, not perfect.  I will be responsible in my behavior most of the time (so I can be happy all of the time).  I will be moderate.  I will not use up all my will power at once.  I will eat less cheese, rather than no cheese.  I will be grateful for my small successes.

To succeed, I will be better than perfect – I will be good enough!