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.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.
Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com
True Direction, Inc. Copyright
This article along with byline attached may be freely republished
Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less... Read More
"You can't get anywhere in anything without work, action, movement..whatever... Read More
"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small... Read More
Allow me to start this with a quote:To think too... Read More
Nothing ever stays the same. On the one hand we... Read More
Achieving the really big goals and dreams always involves breaking... Read More
I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More
There are a number of techniques to help you stop... Read More
Stopping procrastination can be challenging, especially since you can't put... Read More
Undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks we can face... Read More
If You Don't ask then You are Already Rejected. Many... Read More
Everyone has something, whether it be a habit, or aspect... Read More
In the form of a simple easy to use checklist,... Read More
Many of us are influenced by the sports ethic: Never... Read More
I get some of my best ideas for my column... Read More
Words seem inadequate to describe the beauty and abundance that... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
In a world where dynamism alters egos and principles in... Read More
I'll get right to the point. Life is not necessarily... Read More
Why am I constantly putting things off? Why don't I... Read More
This article exemplifies the inner working of emotional intelligence. Effectively... Read More
When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More
While I was trying to find a subject to write... Read More
Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More
Do you ever get those Sunday night blues? Dreading the... Read More
Now, the Fun Part. It is nigh time to find... Read More
Every four years, February gives us a whole 24 hours... Read More
It's like that old joke about how long did it... Read More
Rather than beat around the bush and try to lead... Read More
"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up... Read More
Many people say that working for themselves or working on... Read More
Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More
Believe it or not, values are in the core of... Read More
"Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow... Read More
I often meet people who say things like, "I've been... Read More
There are a number of techniques to help you stop... Read More
Imagine for a moment it's five years from now and... Read More
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain... Read More
"M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good... Read More
Building a team of motivated people in your business is... Read More
A few years back, the ex-recording artist, turned Pastor, turned... Read More
Life and evolution is the dynamics of energy in which... Read More
Whatever you are doing in your life at the present... Read More
Have you ever read something like this as a "way... Read More
Most of us are prone to anger! As we grow... Read More
There have been many discussions and grumblings in the Western... Read More
It may sound silly but the key to self-confidence and... Read More
YES MY GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL AND YOURS CAN... Read More
The Unknown - it is scary territory for many, something... Read More
When Paul first arrived in Corinth in the middle of... Read More
When the Universe is aligned, all things are possible. Kismet,... Read More
The next time you find yourself relaxing on the couch,... Read More
Undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks we can face... Read More
We can all get in a rut from time to... Read More
After eating a turkey and dressing sandwich for breakfast, I... Read More
When I was a freshman in college, my first car... Read More
I've heard it said that 85% of success is showing... Read More
It seems the longer think we have, the longer we... Read More
"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from... Read More
Bad habits rob you of your motivation.Today I want to... Read More
One of the shortcuts to creating wealth is to learn... Read More
Over the past several years I have experienced my fair... Read More
March madness is great to watch not because I have... Read More
Most people think that when they have chosen a path... Read More
Miracles are your responsibility! What does that mean? Simple...You have... Read More
Today is an anniversary of sorts for me. Three years... Read More
Motivation |