I’m kind of a perfectionist.
Nevermind.
I AM a perfectionist.
I’d like to say that I’m not.
Instead, I’ll take Carol Tuttle’s advice and say that I have a ‘perfecting nature’.
What is a ‘perfecting nature’?
That means I’m super good at seeing the overall vision of something, taking that vision and then seeing how little tweaks can make it even better. So it’s a super good thing!
Except when it isn’t…
The thing is, that also means I have a critical eye for what needs to be improved and usually, that means my critical eye is turned on ME! I see all kinds of ways I can improve myself and can sometimes get overwhelmed by the work I have yet to do both inwardly, as a mom, and as a business woman.
When projects become predicaments
Often, projects that I love and think will take me a short time stretch into days and sometimes weeks of creating.
And….that can be debilitating at times.
Debilitating because I have unreasonable expectations. Frustration can set in when projects begin to be uninspiring due to their unexpected huge-ness and detail work (that helps it to be perfect, obviously).
How I stop having project perfecting problems
Recently, I learned from Carol, that I need to train my critical eye toward what’s going right! (One of the reasons I write my gratitude prayers.) Sometimes it can be way too easy to just keep track of everything that needs to be done, what hasn’t been fixed, what needs attention, more detail work that make a project perfect, and what is the most urgently stressful thing going on at the moment.
Living like that can become exhausting as you try to keep up with a list that multiplies instead of diminishes.
Even though there are things on my ‘to do’ list that feel like they have to be done asap, I’m declaring that it’s time to stop for the day and think about what’s right.
Why it works for me
Looking on the other side of project problems (or any spiral into negativity and discouragement) by balancing it with it’s opposite helps the light to rush in. While looking for everything that needs to be fixed I end up feeling stuck with a cloud of bummed-ness that can be difficult to shake. Getting the scales to balance brings hope back into the situation and helps me to see that there is actually a world of possibility! I also realize that there really isn’t the urgency that I’ve convinced myself exists.
So…
Today, I’m seeing what is right and awesome:
I’m training for a 5k and already I’m getting stronger
My kids have been super awesome at keeping their rooms straightened and I always love to put the blinds up and turn around to see the tousled bed sheets and quilts where sleepy people have laid
There are lots of people sending in their comments and questions about familyness (I love it!). I’m so grateful for the sharing you’ve been doing about what struggles you’re facing, it means so much to me. Thank you.
I’m blessed to have a husband who believes in me and reminds me everyday that I am a force for good in the world (how did I get so lucky?)
The sky is blue and the sun is shining, it’s a gorgeous day!
As a family we are going on our first temple trip together this afternoon and I’m so looking forward to it…even the drive there
I’ll be sitting on the deck for lunch this afternoon with my Hot Guy where I’ll enjoy the fall breeze and time to sit next to the person that means the most to me
Emmett and Emma sat on the couch together last night sharing with each other the things they’ve learned in the scriptures this week, just chatting it up…
I have an awesome friend, in Brooke, who is amazing at helping me regain perspective, always encouraging and seeing what’s possible
So what’s going right for you today? I’d love to hear!
(for more ideas you should see this post by my friend, Treacy)
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