This month marks 7 years in business for me!  I have been writing newsletters for 7 years and this is newsletter # 84!  Every month I try to choose topics that are relevant, engaging and useful.  Almost every month I struggle immensely with trying to get it just right for you, my dear readers, because I want it to be perfect for you.

Here are the rules for creating this “perfect” newsletter every month:

• I must be able to write it in one 20 – 30 minute sitting
• I must be able to write it exactly on cue – no warm-ups or false starts
• It must require no editing
• It must flow with the exact right wording that will touch the heart of every reader
• And of course, it must be joyful

Ha! In seven years of writing, none of these requirements have ever been fulfilled!  How hilarious is it that it has taken me 7 years to realize that my struggle was due to my perfectionism?!  It always makes me laugh when discover that I have been oblivious to my own issues!

Here in lies the sneakiness of perfectionism.  Wanting, needing, striving to be perfect blocks your ability to see what is really happening in your life.  Perfectionism drains your energy and steals your joy.  Like being on a hamster wheel, it is a never ending, relentless driver that depletes your self confidence and trashes your self esteem.  Every time you don’t reach that perfect state, you think and feel that you have failed.

Do you have rules for creating perfection?  Mine were unconscious until I finally stopped to ask myself why I always struggle with writing. Once I uncovered the “rules” it became clear that the rules needed to be broken. In breaking the rules, I was able to find more relief and joy in the message that I wanted to share with you.

There is nothing wrong with wanting something to turn out well but perfection and doing your best are two separate approaches.  Perfection is a never ending process and doing your best is about completion and having your self confidence remain intact.

Notice what your rules are and ask yourself if you can break some (or all) of them.  Life is messy, unpredictable and always imperfect and that’s usually where you will find your deepest joys!  Wishing all of you a joyfully messy and imperfect holiday season!