Forget business for a moment. Let’s talk Christmas trees.
Have you ever been to a tree lot with a perfectionist? That one’s too big. That one’s scrawny. That one has a gap on the left side where a bird had a nest. Too small. Too short. Too green. Too pine-y. Too spruce-y. And after hours of debate, no one feels like caroling or cocoa. You just want to get the heck out of there.
Then of course, there is Charlie Brown’s tree.
Imperfect. Scrawny. That tree is not going on the cover of “Cartoon Christmas Monthly.”
But, by the end of the show, it’s got everyone gathered around, singing carols. Why? Because Charlie Brown was focused on being useful, not flawless. He wanted to get the holiday moving.
Charlie Brown Business Sense
As you head into 2010 with your business, may I encourage you to be a little more Charlie Brown and a little less Lucy? Focus on being effective, not perfect. I’m certainly not suggesting you abandon a quest for excellence. But insisting on perfection will bring your business growth to a screeching halt.
Perfect doesn’t exist. Accept that. Assimilate that into your psyche and your approach in business. You will be set free. And once you’re set free, you are going to find success. It’s there for you. But if you’re looking through the lens of “I have to be perfect,” you’re going to miss opportunities to be great.
How? You won’t try out for an audition because you’re comparing yourself to Michael Buble. You won’t go after a dream client because you didn’t go to Harvard. You won’t charge enough money because you think imperfect isn’t valuable.
Worse than what it does to your business is what perfectionism does to your soul. Perfectionism steals your joy.
This is an excellent post about the dangers of perfectionism by author and emotional health expert Elaine Sihera. Here is an excerpt:
“People in search of perfection experience disappointment and dissatisfaction more regularly than others because they are often unable to enjoy the simple pleasures of life unless they are ideal.”
Resolve in 2010 to embrace learning from your mistakes. Recognize that our imperfections make our personal and business relationships more authentic. Break out of perfectionism paralysis in favor of moving forward.
Then, get ready for a season of singing around your success.
Forget business for a moment. Let’s talk Christmas trees.
Have you ever been to a tree lot with a perfectionist? That one’s too big. That one’s scrawny. That one has a gap on the left side where a bird had a nest. Too small. Too short. Too green. Too pine-y. Too spruce-y.
And after hours of debate, no one feels like caroling or cocoa. We just want to get the heck out of there.
Then of course, there’s Charlie Brown’s tree.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Alicia,
A fantastic way to bring in the new year! If all your time is spent waiting for the “perfect” opportunity or chance, you’ll miss out on all the other wonderful things life has to offer. Thanks for the reminder!
Great post Alicia!
There are few lessons more important than that which you describe above… it keeps us from moving forward and making the inevitable mistakes that we will encounter. 2009 has been a year of many decisions, mistakes, successes and leaps of faith – I can only wish the same for 2010!
Keep it up!
Michael
Cheers! Live in the moment…
(#2010 is the year btw)
Kelly – Thank you for your comment! I think being less than perfect is a fantastic New Year’s Resolution!
Michael – Thanks for pointing out that mistakes are inevitable and that we can learn from them. It is indeed how we grow.
You are right Meghan! 2010 will be the year!