Mastery
Hello there,
I would like to talk to you today about a topic that is very close to my heart: the difference between mastery and perfection. These two terms are often confused, but they come from very different corners of our inner selves. Mastery is the joy that is born out of curiosity, while perfection is a waste that is born out of fear. This difference is crucial to how we approach our goals and the satisfaction we derive from them.
Imagine you are a little explorer looking at the world with wide eyes. This childlike curiosity is the spark that ignites the fire of mastery. When we are curious, we are open to new experiences and willing to take risks. We embrace the learning process with all its ups and downs because every small step forward brings us joy. This joy is not just a fleeting feeling, but a deep sense of fulfillment that comes from expanding our horizons and improving our skills.
On the other hand, perfection is something completely different. It stems from fear - fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being good enough. Perfectionism holds us to an impossible standard that is often defined by external expectations and not by our own inner motivations. In the pursuit of perfection, we become paralyzed by the need to get everything right at the first attempt. This fear stifles creativity and innovation and causes us to waste time and effort endlessly tweaking and revising to find an unattainable ideal.
The path to mastery is a winding path full of discovery and joy. It is about progress, not perfection. Every mistake is a lesson, every setback an opportunity to grow. Mastery allows us to be kind to ourselves, to celebrate our successes, no matter how small, and to find joy in the process itself.
Perfectionism, on the other hand, is a straitjacket that confines us to a narrow path of rigid expectations. It demands flawless execution and leaves no room for error or experimentation. The fear of not measuring up can be so overwhelming that it prevents us from even getting started. And if we do start, the constant self-criticism and doubt can stifle any joy of success.
In essence, mastery is about embracing our humanity - our curiosity, our ability to grow, and our ability to find joy in the process. Perfectionism, on the other hand, denies our humanity by insisting on an unrealistic standard of flawlessness. It is a wasteful effort that saps our energy and stifles our potential.
So let’s choose mastery over perfection. Let’s cultivate curiosity, embrace the learning process and find joy in our progress. After all, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being better than yesterday.
With lots and lots of love!
