Perfectionism Is Missing The Point
A few years ago, we were scammed.
Our fencing company ordered a truckload of specialty equipment from our favourite manufacturer. An unknown-to-us trucking company arrived and misled the manufacturer into thinking they were there to pick up our load and were now in possession of our goods.
The scam involves a trucking company holding the freight hostage until a ransom is paid or it is sold on the black market. Neither of these options was on our bingo card for the items.
The missing order also included an item for a company that needed it to complete a job. The customer was understandably angry and was nonstop sending messages and emails, calling, and posting on every platform, including our personal Facebook accounts.
I felt physically ill with having thousands of dollars missing in the USA and the barrage of negativity being sent our way.
I was sitting at my desk, holding my head in my hands, when another email came in. Realizing it was from the manufacturer, I opened it with apprehension, as I felt like I could not handle any more bad news.
We will make it right.
I gave a massive sigh of relief. I instantly felt better.
I get how crazy that sounds because nothing was fixed. No one knew where the equipment was, and there was still the chance we never would. But I realized then that the way the company operated, its people, values, and integrity were why it was our favourite.
There was no detailed list, no pros and cons.
Just five words: We will make it right.
Simple, not complex.
Straight-forward, not vague.
Right not perfect.
And that was enough.
It is wild how that little sentence has stuck with me, guiding me towards simplicity.
I have spent a lifetime trying to make “it” perfect. I have obsessed over details. I have lost sleep, making things complex, overthinking and causing myself anxiety.
Don’t get me wrong—I still make long to-do lists. And if I am going to worry, it will be at 2 a.m because, well- I am not perfect ;)
Doing the best you can when things are going well or going sideways, that is the stuff people care about.
Stop focusing on ensuring your i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed.
Quit trying to get your ducks in a row.
Ignore the juggling of more balls in the air.
None of us will be perfect.
Everyone has their mistakes.
All of us can work at making it right.
Xo,