Wow !!! a Nokia Netbook

Embrace Imperfection

By Claudette Rowley

Does perfectionism plague you?
Do you wish you could loosen up and embrace "good enough"?
Do you procrastinate?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, I encourage you to consider the merits of imperfection. In our culture, we are steeped in the idea that if it's not perfect, we've failed, something's flawed or just gone wrong. In fact, the dictionary definition of imperfection talks about flaws, weaknesses and a state of faultiness. I agree, on the surface, that's what imperfection looks like. But here's the truth: imperfection can be liberating.

The magic of imperfection lies in looking below the surface. Because we all know, at some level, that life is a deeply imperfect enterprise. It always has been, and I suspect that it always will be. Once we embrace that truth, many of our structures, beliefs and myths about perfection fall away like the scaffolding around a space shuttle.

What stops us from embracing imperfection? I've noticed that two basic beliefs are the main culprits. The first belief is "things should look a certain way and if they don't, there's a problem." The second belief follows closely on the heels of the first: "there's one right way to do things".

These beliefs obscure our ability to adjust our view. When you shift your lens to look beneath the surface of imperfection, you may notice an overlooked detail, beautiful vision or new possibility. It is this perspective that allows us to listen to ourselves, to see how the pieces of our lives fit together differently than we might have expected and that shifts our focus into one of clarity. If you watch what's really going on in your life, you'd be amazed. In our quest for perfection and our desire to meet our expectations, we miss much of what's available to us at any moment.

For example, good ideas often come to me in the shower. During a recent morning shower, an idea for another book popped into my head. My process was interesting to observe: I was upset that I hadn't received an email that I'd been waiting for, I was stressed and I was invested in the fact that things should look a certain way. I knew that I was attached to an outcome and yet still couldn't let it go. Then in the middle of my shower, several thoughts converged in my mind and sparked the next book idea. I was ecstatic. If I hadn't experienced that set of "imperfect" circumstances, I wouldn't have gotten the idea.

How can you embrace imperfection in your life? Instead of asking why, ask what and how. In other words, when faced with a situation that's less than ideal or you want something you're not sure how to attain, determine what you want and how you can get it. Understand the power of letting life unfold of its own accord; allow yourself to notice the energetic flow around you and choose to step into it.

Here are some signs that you've embraced imperfection:

• You find yourself laughing more often
• You experience more creativity in your life, more passion and greater sense of well-being
• Your life has a richness, possibility or sense of joy previously limited
• You've come to understand that being messy is a good thing

Learn to discern what can be "good enough" in your life, what can be imperfect and when excellence is required. Learn to distinguish between your true standards of excellence and your standards of perfection. Lift the veil of your expectations and see more clearly the beauty, joy and trust that were there all along.

Harness the power of imperfection.

Copyright © 2009 Claudette Rowley
Claudette Rowley, coach and author, helps professionals identify and pursue their true purpose and calling in life. Contact her today for a complimentary consultation at 781-316-1923 or by email[1]. Sign up for her free newsletter "Insights for the Savvy" at www.metavoice.org[2].

Quotes of the Week

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." --Carl Bard

"You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need." --Jerry Gillies

"To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant." --Amos Bronson Alcott

Son leaves for Moscow

How time flies so fast and I can remember he came back for holidays on 18.06.09 and I was posted to Johor Bahru with a new company. And before I can realize it, he left for Moscow yesterday for his 2nd year Medicine. I can count the number of times that I had come home to be with him, but he somehow seem to be on the computer all the time and he really relaxed during his break.

I see one year in Moscow had really changed him from the boy he was when he left and transformed him into a man. But to me he is always the little boy that I knew when he was growing up. I am posting a photo that I took with my latest gadget, Nokia N97. I always wanted a good camera phone and I guess I got no complains with this new acquisition.

Another year for him to come back .....

Taken at KLIA on 23.08.09

Quotes of the Week

"To lead people, walk beside them... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate. When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves'." --Lao Tzu

"Money like health, love, happiness, and all forms of success that you want to create for yourself is the result of living purposefully. It is not a goal unto itself." --Dr. Wayne Dyer

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men." --Albert Einstein

Finally settled at my new job in JB

All my hectic days have paid off as I am finally settled here with my new job. Things are moving on fine and my progress is in the positive zone. My meeting with the clients are ok and I am also making new friends at this state where I am working.

I have set up my office and also a routine for my staff and things are less hectic these days. But I know all good things doesn't last that long and so I might as well enjoy myself while I can.

Below is a snap shot of my site and you would understand what I do for a living....foundations....bored piles. And you can see a sea of machinery....