How many things do you put off because you are afraid to fail? Afraid it won’t be good enough? Afraid everyone will know you didn’t follow the rules. Afraid it won’t be perfect? I am guilty of this in so many areas of my life. This article and this one both found deep in the archives of one of my favorite financial blogs, Get Rich Slowly, had me thinking about more than just saving money.
I know we all procrastinate because the burden of perfection in our homes as well. Why even clean the room when you don’t like the furniture? Why paint the walls–what if the color turns out weird? What if it’s wrong? Why even put out the effort if I cannot do it 100% correctly and risk free?
I was talking to my sister on the phone today and we were both feeling like we had too much stuff. For her it was toys for her children, for me it was lamps, frames and various, um, tasteful tchotchkes. We both started feeling overwhelmed and then she said “the only way I’ll ever be able to get through all these toys is if I have 2 days strait without my kids around.” Don’t we all feel like that?
I feel like the only way to get rid of my excess beloved stuff is to never move again, then wait 2 years and make sure I don’t “need” it. It’s too much work right now. But instead of giving up and waiting to move, why don’t I just get rid of a little bit every week? I make a weekly trip to the thrift store, I could drop off stuff then. That’s pretty good.
Why can’t good be enough?
Whether it’s saving money, cleaning the house, brushing your teeth or decorating, these things done incorrectly are still worth doing even if they aren’t done to perfection. Simple Mom addresses the idea of aiming for excellence not perfection in one of my favorite all time posts. Love her.
I know many of us also have a fear of wasting our hard earned money. This post isn’t really about that. We’ll talk about that real soon though. This post is for the folks that have the can of paint sitting there and still won’t take action. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by making a few mistakes.
This post was first published September, 2008–an appropriate repost based on yesterday’s question, and answers.