Balance is a critical component of Mindset. Sometimes, you need to focus on relationships, careers, and, today, happiness. Recently, I was reading The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World and came across a quote that will be the backbone of today’s blog. This quote sums up our mindset, potential, and what we will do about it. Though the quote is short, the meaning is profound. Today, let’s delve into the meaning of this quote and what it truly means for life, our mindset, and the world.

“You are made for perfection, but you are not yet perfect. You are a masterpiece in the making.”

― Dalai Lama XIV, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

When I was reading this line, I was set back into focus on what I just read. I recall my mind was not focused the day I read this line, but after reading it, it immediately made me stop and live in the moment once again. I find it magical how a few words placed on a piece of paper can be the glue that pastes back your world together. Sometimes, things can get busy in life, and we love to focus on what truly matters. Today, I wanted to matter truly so I could matter to the world.

My mattering to the world is not so much of a self-glorification but an understanding of how insignificant I am. I am one of 8 billion people on this earth, and I am aware of what I desire, but I feign ignorance about what the world needs until my needs are met or things are perfectly in line. This led me to think about perfectionism and whether I need it.

Perfectionism can be split into a few categories that we will delve into today

1. Traits
2. Mentality
3. Reality

There are many Traits of perfectionism, but we will focus on most aspects based on fear. These include having high standards, living up to those high standards, high levels of self-doubt, and having difficulty making mistakes. These traits are all intertwined with an exaggerated fear of failure. I understand that failure doesn’t feel good, but perfectionists take it to a new level.

I recall there was a funny video made of someone who was a perfectionist. The video was a parody of someone whose life seemed perfect on the outside but they were a total wreck on the inside. On the outside, they boasted confidence, and people around them all wanted to have that life. However, when this person was alone, they were an anxious wreck who fears to make a mistake or being viewed in others’ eyes as human. That human component is with all of us because we are not perfect, and we all make mistakes, but certain people take it personally.

There can be positive traits in perfectionism that can be good, like confidence and hard work; we cannot get past the negatives because the mind cannot accept something imperfect, especially if your mindset is perfectionism. Again, having a positive mindset differs from a mindset that focuses on making everything perfect. This leads us into the conversation of what perfectionism does to the mind.

The Mentality side is more simplified because it is something we can all relate to rather than traits that can be hit or miss depending on the individual. The mentality of perfection is also riddled with good and bad, but I will focus on the good here because it will make the point that perfectionism is more of a hindrance than an asset. The area we will focus on is results.

These results will be the driving proponent of whether we can be happy. If we can get the results, we can be happy, but even then, we may question ourselves and ask if we could have done more or things better. This mentality is similar to living life with regrets. We must be aware of a fine line when we think about what perfect means. Frequently, perfection is the ideal outcome with no regrets or remorse. Still, in our world today, under the constant scrutiny of the world via social media, we feel obligated to make it perfect before we make it true to ourselves.

Then we get into the Reality of the conversation of the Art of Perfectionism because it will be the truest form of what we see and how we should live. Before I begin, I want you to be aware that you can live any way you wish, but it comes down to the expectations you set for yourself. You can tell the quality of a person’s character by the expectations they adhere to. These expectations are mixed with both social standards and personal visions you hold for yourself and others.

As the words settled in my mind, I couldn’t help but reflect on the chaos of daily life. It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters in the hustle and bustle. The quote I mentioned at the start of this article, acted as a gentle nudge, urging me to pause and appreciate the present moment. It’s fascinating how a few carefully chosen words can serve as a catalyst, bringing clarity and focus to a wandering mind.

Life pulls us in different directions – relationships, careers, responsibilities – each vying for our attention. Yet, amidst this whirlwind, the quote beckons us to consider the essence of our existence. To recognize that while we may not be perfect, we are works in progress, constantly evolving toward our version of perfection.

Acknowledging being one among billions on this planet is both humbling and empowering. It’s a realization that our significance lies not in self-glorification but in understanding our place in the broader context of humanity. We are drops in the vast ocean of existence, and in embracing this humility, we find a profound connection to the world.

Mattering to the world, in this context, is not about grand gestures or self-aggrandizement. It’s about recognizing our roles as contributors to the collective human experience. We matter not because of our individual achievements or desires but because of our capacity to understand, empathize, and uplift others. It’s a shift from a self-centered perspective to one that encompasses the needs of the world beyond our personal desires.

In the pursuit of our aspirations, it’s easy to become oblivious to the needs of the world around us. The Art of Perfectionsim serves as a gentle reminder to break free from this tunnel vision, to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others. It encourages us to be mindful of the impact we can have, not just on our lives but on the lives of those we encounter on this shared journey.

Embracing our imperfections, acknowledging our continual growth, and understanding our interconnectedness – are the keys to unlocking lasting happiness in a changing world. This also sends us further away from perfectionism in our mentality, but rather to focus on the reality of what a perfect life truly entails. Did you give your all even if you lost? Did you truly try your best or did you leave some in reserve due to fear? There are many proponents we must look at in a mindset setting before we can become overly critical and judgemental in the eyes of perfection.

In closing, the Art of Perfectionism is an opportunity to be mindful of the masterpiece we are becoming. If you are an artist, you will not make one stroke of your brush on the canvas and say you have failed and need to start again. That opportunity to begin or make a “Happy little accident” is what Bob Ross would say, an artist, is what perfectionism should be aimed at. In doing so, we not only find joy in our own evolution but also contribute to the collective joy of the world, one mindful moment at a time.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts