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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Done is better than perfect.

The other day I was reading a post on Kara's blog from Kam of Campfire Chic.  Kam said something in the interview that just struck me.  It hit my heart hard cuz I needed to hear it.  "Done is better than perfect."  I commented and said I was turning the quote into a desktop wallpaper.  I did, and wanted to share it with you today.  Thanks Kam for the inspiration!!


But why did this quote hit me so hard?  Because I'm a perfectionist.  Its something I really struggle with.  I know there are a few different ways this saying could be taken.  Maybe your first instinct is to view it as an insult - "I'm never going to do this perfectly, so at least its done."  But that's not what it means to me.  I see and read the word "done" as an action, not necessarily something completed.  Just the first step, because sometimes that's the hardest part.  Last year my OLW was BEGIN and it taught me a lot...about setting goals and living with intention.  And I needed it, because many times my fear that the end result would not be perfect held me back from starting; from even trying.  And I don't want to live that way anymore.  My mum taught me that life is like a staircase.  Each day, each triumph, each "try" is another step.  Sometimes we trip and fall back down a few steps.  Sometimes we doubt that the staircase is really leading anywhere because we can't see the top.  Sometimes we are granted a period of peace at a landing along the way.  But should the fear of tripping and falling keep us frozen at the bottom of the climb?  Should our perfectionism keep us from doing?  No!  We should bravely lift our foot up, place it on that step and then check it off as "done."  Done is better than perfect because that is how we all get to where we're supposed to be, with God 'grasping our right hand' leading us along the way.   
"For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, 'Do not be afraid.  I myself will help you.'"-Isaiah 41:13
What is something today that you can celebrate as "done"?
How do you read this quote?
Do you struggle with being a perfectionist too? 

2 comments:

  1. I love the quote and read it the same way you do. I'm not a perfectionist in all areas, but in many I am. I do sometimes struggle with not wanting to start something if I can't do it perfectly. I love that scripture, btw!

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    1. Thanks so much Heather. :) That scripture is one of my favorites.

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