When Perfect is the Enemy

"The perfect is the enemy of the good." So says Voltaire and I would tend to agree. Especially when it comes to goals and plans. Maybe it's just me, but I doubt it.

So, with the year end comes all sorts of resolutions. Well, I don't really do resolutions in the traditional sense because I've learned long ago that short term challenges work way better for me. A few years back I did a year of monthly challenges and for the most part, it was fun and successful. Mind you, it wasn't PERFECTLY executed. I had to give myself a break now and then, or change things up, or permission to just fail. Yes, fail. And not hang my head in shame.

2014 is just around the corner, in fact, I can almost see it now! And, true to my form, I have considered challenging myself again. Not a year of challenges, though. I just do them when they present themselves and it feels right.

But sometimes I wade in a little too deep, and then I begin to feel a little overwhelmed. Why is that? Well, it's because I am already anticipating that I am NOT going to make it  with a 100% completion rate. So, then I sit myself down and do some self-talk. It's okay not to be PERFECT, not to do PERFECT, and not to even want PERFECT. This is where Voltaire's wisdom comes in. It's okay to start the challenge because it's a good one, and even if I don't execute it perfectly, it's still worth challenging myself. And the benefits I reap from doing something imperfectly and inconsistently are still there.

So, starting tomorrow, I am going to focus on two challenges:

1. BRT2014 - that is, Bible Read Through 2014. In 4 months, I hope to have read the entire Bible, with a pen in hand. This challenge doesn't give you a daily reading plan, but rather a monthly reading plan, and its purpose is to see the Bible as a story, not a textbook. Relational, not informational. I like that.  It's set up chronologically and lists the books of the Bible to read each month. Other than that, it's up to the reader how/when to read. Keith Ferrin of keithferrin.com suggests to read a set amount of time each day, rather than a set number of chapters. I like that. It should take approximately 45 min per day to achieve this goal. I am doing it with the support of a Facebook group, but if anyone else wants to join me, that would be awesome. Apparently, having  a support group increases the chances of success dramatically. Check it out at keithferrin.com . It's not too late to start!

2. The 21 Day Sugar Detox - This one definitely has me a little nervous. You know there's trouble when you're already planning how to get away with breaking the rules even before you've started! Yes, that's me! I was ready to throw in the towel yesterday, and my 21 days doesn't begin till January 6th! What are the chances of success, hey? ;)  But, then I did that self talk thing again, and convinced myself that anything less than 21 days is a success, too. Just because I may fail at a PERFECT 21 Day sugar detox, doesn't mean it wasn't helpful or good. So, I will begin it as planned. Any success, big or small, is worth celebrating (as long as it's not with sweets!!).

How are YOU challenging yourself today, tomorrow, in January, or in 2014?

Happy New Year, and I hope it's a good one, even if it's not perfect!