Thursday, February 1, 2018

writer's workshop: perfection

I am accused of being a perfectionist.  A lot.  I am not perfectionist.  I have certain ways I like things done, yes.  I will admit to messing up and not being perfect.  I messed up at work the other day.  Nothing significant.  I had someone bring something in, that I later found access to get the information.  But I had never heard of this employer, so I had no clue they were on a system we get reports from.  My coworker said "It's okay not to be perfect"  I just laughed and I was like "I know"At home, I am not a perfectionist at all.  I do like things my way, but with three kids, nothing stays my way for long.  I'm going for good enough. Good enough Mom!


I try to be a perfectionist with my school, but Chemistry has brought that to a screeching halt.  This is now the only class I have standing between myself and my Masters degree.  It's frustrating.  Every other class I have breezed through.  My high stakes exam...nailed it.  But Chemistry......fail.
In Roller Derby, I am getting frustrated with myself.  I feel like I could be better, but I hit a speed bump a little while back.  It has kicked my confidence a little.  Little things have kicked my confidence.  But, after a conversation last night, I feel like I can work back to being better.  I never really lost the ability, it was my brain telling me I suck.  
I think what I am trying to say is that I want to be a good enough person.  I don't have to be perfect, but I don't want to suck at life either.


So I'm just going to go with this....


10 comments:

  1. Gee, you did a great job with this, and I feel like I have to write about something else this week. ;) I think it was Jerry Garcia who said "Practice doesn't make perfect, but it makes you better than you were."

    ReplyDelete
  2. So true! We all do the best we could and try to be perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I readily admit I am not a perfect person and mostly I'm cool with that. But sometimes I would like to be better at say, keeping house! Roller Derby? Masters Degree? You sound like a very busy person!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This weekend I have nothing planned. I am excited not to be a busy person! Maybe get things done around the home.

      Delete
  4. The description "perfectionist" in no way implies someone is perfect in all things: it actually describes a tendency to like certain things done in a certain manner and asking, even requiring others to do those same certain things the way you prefer. For example: I'm a perfectionist when it comes to how a pie or cake is cut: they MUST be cut into neat slices first, then served---seeing someone whack into a pie or cake and grab a slice without cutting first drives me crazy. It's the "drive me crazy" feel about certain things not being done a certain way that is the mark of a perfectionist. It's a highly misunderstood word. There's another less flattering word for it as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a perfectionist at work for sure! A lot of things drive me up a wall because they aren't done correctly or my way. I'm sure others (not in my immediate office) call me that unflattering word. :)

      Delete
  5. The mere desire to "be a good enough person" makes me pretty darned sure you have already surpassed your goal!

    ReplyDelete