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Excellence vs. Perfection
From time to time I have taken the opportunity to
discuss in these e-letters, issues that come up
often with my coaching clients. Most of my clients
are successful people who are interested in moving
or growing into their greatness in new areas of
living. For many, success is the result of
personality traits or acquired operative belief
systems that have guided them for a large part of
their lives.
These traits and systems are part of the story
that we create to identify ourselves to ourselves
and form the basis of the values we hold by which
the outside world can identify us. But growth, by
definition, requires that we constantly review and
remold these values to allow our forward movement.
Old standards and ways of doing things can support
our safety and comfort but they do little to
fertilize our desire to create change.
One of the conflicts that I often encounter in
this process is between the traits of Excellence
and Perfection. Striving for perfection can be a
dynamic motivational tool. It is not unrelated to
Obsessive-Compulsive behavior patterns. I often
hear people say that most great human achievements
can be traced to a striving for perfection...but is
that actually true? My sense is that what really
creates results is the striving for excellence, not
perfection.
Perfection is what we used to call in the
therapy business a "crazy maker." Some action that
gets us what we want but makes everyone around us
crazy in the process.
Below are some comparisons I have collected over
the years that help to identify the differences
between these two ways of being that may help you
sort out what is true for you. Further discussion
on each of these items is available in my book,
"Man In Transition." Click on the link
http://www.etropolis.com/coachken/forsale.htm for
more information.
- Excellence is journey; Perfection is
destination.0
- Excellence is the willingness to be wrong;
Perfection is being right.
- Excellence is risk; Perfection is fear.
- Excellence is powerful; Perfection is anger
and frustration.
- Excellence is spontaneous; Perfection is
control.
- Excellence is accepting; Perfection is
judgment.
- Excellence is giving; Perfection is
taking.
- Excellence is confidence; Perfection is
doubt.
- Excellence is flowing; Perfection is
pressure.
- Excellence is surrender; Perfection is
consuming.
- Excellence is trust; Perfection is
selfishness.
© 2007, Kenneth F.
Byers
Other Transition Issues,
Books
* * *
A permanent state of transition is man's most
noble condition. - Juan Ramon Jimenez
Ken Byers
holds a Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis in
Men's Studies, one of the few ever awarded in the
U.S. Ken is a full time Certified Professional Life
Coach specializing in working with men in any form
of transition and an instructor of design at San
Francisco State University.
His books, "Man
In Transition" and
"Who
Was That Masked man
Anyway" are widely
acknowledged as primers for men seeking deeper
knowledge of creating awareness and understanding
of the masculine way. More information on Ken, his
work and/or subscription information to the weekly
"Spirit Coach" newsletter which deals with elements
of the human spirit in short commentary, check the
box at www.etropolis.com/coachken/
or www.etropolis.com/coachken/what.htm
or www.etropolis.com/coachken/speak.htm
or E-Mail
You are welcome to share any of Ken's columns with
anyone without fee from or to him but please credit
to the author. Ken can be reached at:
415.239.6929.
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