Perfection doesn’t exist. The relentless pursuit of perfection can be a dark path, leading to frustration, self-doubt, and dissatisfaction. Perfection is an impossible standard, often rooted in fear of failure and judgment. However, there is one aspect of perfectionism that can unlock doors in your life: setting high standards and striving for excellence.
Those who avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism and instead seek excellence will reap the rewards and achieve success. Excellence is about doing your best within realistic boundaries, embracing growth, and learning from mistakes. While perfectionism demands flawlessness and rigid control, excellence encourages flexibility, progress, and personal development.
Walking the Line: How to Achieve Excellence Without Falling into Perfectionism
There are a few measures you can take to ensure you maintain high standards without succumbing to the paralysis that perfectionism can cause. One effective method is setting SMART goals, which provide structure and clarity in the pursuit of excellence.
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How Achieving Excellence is Like Setting SMART Goals
To reach high standards, you need to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Excellence, unlike perfection, aligns perfectly with these criteria. Perfection is an ideal construct and naturally subjective, while excellence can be objectified and is genuinely attainable.
If you want to achieve excellence, think in terms of SMART goals to make your aspirations a reality.
Specific: Define exactly what you want to accomplish. A goal is specific when there is no room for ambiguity. If someone else were to read your goal, they should understand precisely what you mean without interpretation. For instance, stating “I want to become a high-level dancer” is vague. What does “high-level” mean? A more specific goal would be, “I want to master advanced salsa routines and perform at local dance competitions within the next six months.” This clarity provides a concrete target for your pursuit of excellence. Specific goals break down complex ambitions into manageable tasks, giving you a clear direction and purpose.
Measurable: Once you define your idea of excellence, you need a way to measure it. Measurement doesn’t always have to be statistical, but there must be a clear indicator of progress. For example, when I was dancing salsa yesterday, I struggled with a complex move. After several attempts, I executed it smoothly three times in a row. That sense of ease and fluidity was my measure of excellence, even though it wasn’t quantifiable in numbers. You can measure progress both quantitatively—such as completing a set number of routines—and qualitatively, like feeling more confident and natural in your movements. Regularly assessing your progress helps maintain motivation and identifies areas for improvement. In your relationships too, it’s often not about quantifying aspects with numbers, but about the unique quality and meaning derived from shared experiences.
Achievable: Your goals should stretch your abilities but remain attainable. Setting unrealistic goals leads to frustration—the hallmark of perfectionism. For example, aiming to become a world-class dancer in a month is not achievable. Instead, focus on incremental improvements, like mastering specific techniques or attending a set number of classes each week. Achievable goals encourage steady progress and build confidence over time, reinforcing the belief that success is within your reach.
Realistic: Realism distinguishes excellence from perfection. Perfectionism involves an unrealistic pursuit of flawlessness, often ignoring practical limitations like time, resources, or personal capacity. However, knowing what is realistic can be tricky. Sometimes, the only way to find out is by trying. This paradox is part of the journey toward excellence: pushing boundaries while staying grounded. For instance, you might not know if you can learn a challenging dance routine in a week until you attempt it. If it proves too difficult, adjust your expectations and extend your timeline. Flexibility is key to maintaining realistic goals.
Time-bound: Setting deadlines is crucial in the pursuit of excellence. Time constraints help you assess the feasibility of your goals and keep you focused. Without a clear timeframe, goals can become open-ended and lose their urgency. For example, setting a goal to “improve my dancing” is vague and indefinite. Instead, aim to “master three new salsa routines within the next two months.” Deadlines provide a structure for reflection, allowing you to evaluate progress and adjust your approach as needed. They also create a sense of accountability, motivating you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.
Excellence: A Rare Goal
In today’s world, few people chase excellence. While world-class companies and institutions often foster a culture of excellence, many individuals are content to get by or simply have fun. The pursuit of excellence requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. People often label me a perfectionist, which surprises me. I see myself as someone who sets high standards and constantly seeks improvement, but I embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
To reach the top in any field, you must differentiate yourself by setting unique standards. Excellence is about going beyond the ordinary, pushing yourself to achieve more than what is expected. If you believe excellence matters, you might be considered “weird” or unconventional. But is normality something to be proud of? Striving for excellence sets you apart, and that distinction can be the key to achieving your goals and leading a fulfilling life.
In the end, excellence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being the best version of yourself, consistently pushing your limits while recognising and embracing imperfection. By setting SMART goals and maintaining a balanced perspective, you can achieve excellence without falling into the traps of perfectionism.
