Are you letting perfectionism hold you back from living your best life? In this insightful episode, we tackle the pervasive issue of perfectionism and how it can stifle our potential. We explore the concept of iteration—learning and refining through repeated efforts—and share a poignant Star Trek dialogue that highlights the importance of mindfulness in everyday moments. Through personal stories and powerful analogies, discover why engaging in meaningful pursuits is more valuable than achieving perfect outcomes.

Key Takeaways:
- Embrace imperfection: Start now rather than waiting for the "perfect moment."
- Mindfulness matters: Find fulfillment by being present in each moment.
- Overcome self-doubt: Confront negative internal dialogues with positivity.

Tune in to uncover strategies for overcoming perfectionism and discovering purpose beyond achievements!

#OvercomingPerfectionism  
#MindfulLiving  
#EmbraceImperfection  
#IterateAndImprove  
#CaptainPicardWisdom   
#LiveInTheMoment   
#PurposefulLiving   
#PositiveAffirmations    
#ConfrontNegativeVoices    
#MentalHealthAwareness    
#PodcastJourney     
#FindingMeaning      
#StriveForProgress      
 #YouCanDoIt        
 #ImperfectlyPerfectPodcast

One of the common issues that I see people struggle with consistently is dealing with perfectionism. We have to make peace with that in our lives in order to function in a mentally healthy way in the world. It's good, and I think it's okay to strive for perfection, but don't demand it. For those who are kind of black-and-white thinkers, it's all or nothing. This mindset inhibits their efforts to just do things where they can really make a difference in the world. If you're waiting to be perfect in order to start something or do something, you're never going to do it. 

You just have to do the thing that you have an idea of striving for and doing it. Just try, just do something, and then go through this process. There's a word called iteration, and if you don't know what that means, it refers to doing something over and over again, learning from each experience and refining a little bit as you continue to move through life. So if you're thinking of starting something—whether it's going back to school, starting a company, or launching a small business—don't wait for the perfect moment to do it because it's never going to come. There is no perfect moment; there's only the process of time.

I had a thought this morning that came to my mind: It's always today. This moment is the most important moment in time. If we can grab onto it and be fully engaged in it and just make an effort, that's the best we can do, and that's okay. Now that I've said there's no perfect moment, I remember a powerful clip from an old Star Trek movie called "The Perfect Moment." Let me draw up this dialogue from memory.

In the movie, Captain Picard was visiting a planet where the inhabitants were incredibly old—like 400 or 500 years old—but they looked in the prime of their lives. They had some technology or ability to evolve in that way. They had chosen to get rid of all their weapons and focused on more mindful activities like spending time with each other and becoming artisans in an agrarian culture. When Captain Picard and Starfleet came to monitor this planet, they thought it was primitive when in reality these inhabitants had been through everything we've been through here on Earth.

At the beginning of the movie "Insurrection," there’s a three-minute clip showcasing this perfect utopian society. Captain Picard meets the matriarch of this society, and during their dialogue, she asks him if he has ever experienced a perfect moment in time. He reflects for a moment and recalls seeing his home planet from space for the first time. She tells him that nothing is more complicated than perception and explains that exploring the universe has shown them that a single moment in time can be a universe in itself, full of powerful forces.

Most people are unaware of this reality and don't even notice the present moment. Captain Picard expresses his wish that he had centuries to learn this wisdom, but she assures him that it took them centuries to learn it; it doesn't have to take centuries for others.

This dialogue relates closely to living a more mindful life in the present moment. It emphasizes doing our best to engage with what is right in front of us at any given time and pursuing personal accomplishments so we can feel value in our lives.

Recently, I had a conversation with a close friend who is a builder—a construction guy who loves creating things. He shared how seeing completed projects gives him a sense of accomplishment and purpose in life. Many clients I see in my private practice are wrestling with finding meaning in their lives; they're asking questions about what they're meant to do.

There seems to be something significant about being engaged in pursuit of a goal rather than solely focusing on accomplishing it. Yes, achieving goals is important, but it's also essential to recognize that this journey never truly ends. By wrapping our heads around being engaged in meaningful pursuits rather than setting ourselves up for constant emptiness tied solely to achievements, we can find purpose along the way.

I read about a professional athlete who won an NFL championship—the Super Bowl—and received the Most Valuable Player award. Despite achieving everything he had dreamed of for years, he described feeling miserable after winning; he sat on the bus after the game overwhelmed by despair because he realized he didn't know what would come next.

This highlights the importance of finding ongoing engagement and purpose rather than fixating solely on accomplishments.

Reflecting on my own life experiences, one of my greatest accomplishments was going back to school later on and receiving my master's degree in clinical psychology. Like everyone else, I've struggled with internal demons—negative voices telling me I'm not good enough or capable enough—and I've wrestled with those thoughts throughout my life.

Even now as I record these podcasts, doubts creep into my mind: What am I doing? Who would listen? If I waited until everything was perfectly lined out before starting these podcasts, I would still be waiting; I'd never have taken action at all.

Perhaps there's just one person listening who finds value in what I'm sharing—and maybe that's enough reason for me to keep trying despite imperfection. My hope is that by simply making an effort—even if it's far from perfect—I might inspire someone else facing similar struggles.

The biggest battle we all face is often within ourselves—our thoughts and internal dialogues shaped by negative voices telling us we can't succeed or aren't good enough. I encourage you to make a commitment right here, right now: Go to war with those voices! 

It's crucial to understand that while those negative voices may never fully disappear for anyone—regardless of their accomplishments—you can choose how you respond when they arise. When those internal criticisms emerge saying you can't do something or aren't good enough, respond defiantly: "Watch me! I will make an effort; you will not stop me!"

This past week alone brought awareness of four suicides among young men aged 20-30—reminding us how much we often don't know about what individuals are facing inside themselves. One young man had just been accepted into Annapolis West Point—a highly competitive achievement—but let his inner demons convince him otherwise.

I want you to know there is something powerful within you capable of facing whatever challenges you're currently up against! You possess strength beyond measure against negative thoughts; your positive voice can ultimately triumph over them.

So embrace your agency! Make that commitment today: confront those negative voices relentlessly until they become mere whispers amidst your resolve! Remember—the journey towards confidence is ongoing; it requires daily choices reflecting your growth.

As we continue navigating life's challenging seas together through these conversations—let's focus on positivity! Each thought we give attention impacts our lives profoundly.

So there's my imperfect podcast for today—but at least I made an effort! If I can strive towards something despite imperfections—you can too! Whatever you're working on may result in greater significance than you realize!

Take immediate feedback from each attempt; learn from experiences while refining your approach repeatedly as you journey through life’s complexities!

Blessings upon you all!