How Perfectionism Will Kill Your Goal To Drink Less
Do you know what I’ve found as a huge hindrance to accomplish any new goals in my life - and in many of my clients as well? Perfectionism. Growing up were you told it had to be an A? I truly believed you had to get A’s - I mean, in my family that’s how you got the full dollar from Aunt Betty. And let me tell you - I wanted that cold cash. I also wanted the praise. I didn't want to have to answer why the B was a B and not an A.
As I moved through life the same beliefs hopped in the suitcase to come along with me. College - same - after all - why would one go to college and not get A’s? Isnt’ that how you get the best jobs? As I moved into my career I landed in sales (let’s be honest - who grows up saying they want to be a salesperson?), and of course “the A” was hitting my revenue number. You get paid to hit 100% - you get paid less if not. So again - nothing less than perfect is the way it rolls. You on this crazy train with me?
Until now - we are slowing our roll and here’s why. Perfectionism will always tell you you can’t do that new goal because you don’t know how. If you don’t know how you will likely fail… or at minimum not get it done correctly 100% of the time. So why bother?
How about because you want to create the life you imagine. Let’s say you want to drink less. (You can insert any goal quite honestly). But let’s go with this. When you tell yourself you want to drink less what does that exactly mean? Here’s what I found - my brain initially said why would you want to drink less? I mean, if you are doing anything you should just stop all together - now that would be “perfect”. Next my brain said - you will never quit all together so … why bother?
I decided the best reason to “bother” is because I want to create the life I imagine, and that would take a new way of thinking - not a perfect way, but a new way. You know what is better than perfect? Done. Because as you think everything needs to be perfect you typically feel shame in trying something new and “failing” - to be perfect.
But I will let you in on a secret. I went ahead and tried it. Guess what? I wasn’t perfect to start, but I kept at it - and I didn’t die either! Shocking - you can survive not doing something perfectly. Now, I wonder what else I can do.....
What do you want to do?
If you are looking to start the process of drinking less click download my free guide on How To Drink Less Tonight. We aren’t striving for perfectionism here - just start by downloading and learn Why We Over Drink, Why It's Hard to Quit, and How to Cut Back Tonight.
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