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Many years ago (so long that I cannot remember where) I came across the phrase "The Perfect Imperfectionist", which really resonated with me as a description of how I saw myself.
Striving and constantly falling short - felt like perpetual failure, but slowly I came to understand that it was the opposite.
Striving and constantly falling short was perpetual success - or, as we have come to know, from David Brailsford, marginal gains.
Which is why the discovery of Oliver Burkeman and his books:
Four Thousand Weeks : Time Management for Mortals;
The Antidote: Happiness for People who can't stand Positive Thinking;
Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts
(look at the subtitles)
As well as his newsletter - have been such a gift in recent years.
Burkeman continually reminds us that it's OK to be perfectly imperfect - thank goodness, in a world full of social media posts from those sharing a "perfect life" that is nothing more than a charade.
I'm a bit overweight, I'm knackered, I'm way behind with some of my work and even further behind with my exercise routines, I drink too much, I've got lots of DIY at home that I never get around to, I don't see enough of my family and friends, my car needs a service, I perpetually suffer from Imposter Syndrome, I haven't found an exit route from my business, other than working until I'm 100, my e-learning platform needs a massive amount of updating, I've got loads of amazing business development opportunities but there aren't enough hours in the day, I have dozens of books that I have bought and haven't read yet.
And I'm the perfect version of me.
I can't be arsed with self-improvement at the moment, so I'm going to stick with self-acceptance for a while. Currently not accepting feedback.
Thank you Oliver.
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