Friday, October 5, 2007

Reinvent-tage Retreat Day 5

Today's Intention...let go of perfection...




the perfection of nature...



inspires all who take the time to see it...


perfection is the turtle who poses for a photo...

I felt compelled to address the perfect pot from yesterday...When I counsel artists on art business issues, I always tell them there is no such thing as man-made perfection...ever! And everyone has a different idea of perfect...so aim for excellence in all you do...not perfection. Going for perfection only sets you up for failure.

A Google search resulted in about 44,000,000 websites for perfection...Perfectionism refers to a set of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors aimed at reaching excessively high unrealistic goals. Perfectionism is often mistakenly seen in our society as desirable or even necessary for success. However, recent studies have shown that perfectionist's attitudes actually interfere with success. The desire to be perfect can both rob you of a sense of personal satisfaction and cause you to fail to achieve as much as people who have more realistic strivings.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough?

  • Do you often put off doing your art, waiting to get it just right?

  • Do you feel you must give more than 100 percent on everything you do or else you will be mediocre or even a failure?

A number of the following negative feelings, thoughts, and beliefs may be associated with perfectionism:


  • Fear of failure. Perfectionists often equate failure to achieve their goals with a lack of personal worth or value.

  • Fear of making mistakes. Perfectionists often equate mistakes with failure. In orienting their lives around avoiding mistakes, perfectionists miss opportunities to learn and grow.

  • Fear of disapproval. If they let others see their flaws, perfectionists often fear that they will no longer be accepted. Trying to be perfect is a way of trying to protect themselves from criticism, rejection, and disapproval.

  • All-or-none thinking. Perfectionists frequently believe that they are worthless if their accomplishments are not perfect. Perfectionists have difficulty seeing situations in perspective.

  • Overemphasis on "shoulds." Perfectionists' lives are often structured by an endless list of "shoulds" that serve as rigid rules for how their lives must be led. With such an overemphasis on shoulds, perfectionists rarely take into account their own wants and desires.

  • Believing that others are easily successful. Perfectionists tend to perceive others as achieving success with a minimum of effort, few errors, emotional stress, and maximum self-confidence. At the same time, perfectionists view their own efforts as unending and forever inadequate.


Do you see yourself here?

above information from the Counseling Center at the University of Illinois


Remember Carole of Scoundrels and Rogues...today is her back surgery...

9 comments:

e.beck.artist said...

hi!
i just found you for the first time today ..... i am just finishing up a sort of self challenge that i chronicled on my blog ...... i didn't use it to instruct or help others like you are doing, i did it to get me going! i finished 25 collages in 25 days .... i look forward to following your journey .....
peace ...e

Pearl Maple said...

Thank you for your kind comments on my blog Really enjoyed reading your posts on the subject of creativity or is that a bit of a cross section of life in general. Thank you for sharing as there are many tips and points of wisdom for us all to be found here.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous pictures rebecca!! just love the little created pond with water flowers and turtle.
being perfect of looking for perfection?? not able of making mistakes? must be very frustrating!doesn't seem natural to me so no thanks, i do not have the urge of being perfect. go with the flow and see what comes along your way... nobody is perfect.

Karen Cole said...

You are an early bird as well, Rebecca!

I had to scroll down pretty far to see what you have been up to since I've been gone. You are one busy lady!

Glad you got to meet Jose! FYI if you read this today....Liz Gilbert is on Oprah today. I am going to DVR it so I can watch it at a time when I have nothing to do.....yeah right! Sorry I missed you in Philly.

I love the work you are doing. The pears are my favorite. Beautiful process and finished patina.

Nunnie's Attic said...

Well of course I always strive to do the best that I can in any matter. But doing my best does not equate perfection. There was only one perfect Man ever and He could walk on water.

Love,
Julie

blessings said...

Well, Julie put that one perfectly! Though I often have the feeling that I've not as good as I could have on a this or that, I know perfection is out of my reach. The Bible tells us that whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability. And I think that's what you're talking about. Have a beautiful weekend. Blessings... Polly

Doe Grozs Art said...

I LOVE these photos..the turtle :-)
I am in a decision-making process right now. Not so much about it being perfect, but deciding upon 2 different approaches. Once the decision is made, then the rest is easy.. I do the best I can. It is the starting part, commiting to the decision that is hardest for me. (working on tiles, so there is no going back)
Great post.
Doreen

Darla said...

"Wabi"

The Japanese word for the imperfection of the handmade.

I love finding "wabi" in something instead of the perfection of the mechanical world.

Darla

qualcosa di bello said...

rebecca...you asked..."Do you often put off doing your art, waiting to get it just right?"

yes, that used to be me & the "art" was writing. interestingly, blogging was the most effective "cure" for this. i now just write, blog or not, everyday for fun, not perfection. what joy that brings!