Fit for Life: The Perfect Time is NOW

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Matt Espeut, GoLocalProv Health +Lifestyle Contributor

 

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Are you a perfectionist?

I am, and it’s doing more harm than good towards my efforts of becoming successful.

Now one might think that being a perfectionist will get you to where you want to be faster, however, I am learning the hard way that it doesn’t.

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A great quote from legendary football coach Vince Lombardi states “We strive for perfection, but it will never happen because no-one is perfect, however, we will achieve greatness along the way”.

No one is perfect regardless of how hard you try, so when you are a perfectionist, you encounter disappointment frequently.

I am always disappointed when I deliver a less than perfect result, and it throws me off my game, creates more anxiety, and holds back progress.

I spend numerous hours weekly working on self-development, and one of the biggest things I need to make myself understand is that perfection is unattainable. Although we need to keep trying to deliver excellence, we can’t beat ourselves up if we fall a little short.

There are a few other reasons why being a perfectionist will hold us back and paralyze us from being successful.

Here are a few that I learned from listening to a podcast by a guy named John Maxwell.

It prevents us from being creative.

The reason for this is that the messiness of creativity will not allow a perfectionist to go beyond those boundaries.

I have noticed that very few artists and creative people are OCD, or overly neat.

That’s because they instill more creativity than perfectionism, and just express what’s on their mind at the current moment. They don’t wait for the right time to paint, write, or create, they just act and get things moving.

It also keeps you from getting started.

The reason for this is because we wait for the perfect time.

The perfect time to start working out, to start a business, to start a family etc.

Well, the truth is, there will never be a perfect time.

There will never be a time when things don’t come up like a holiday, birthday, vacation, the economy, world tragedy, or you find a ton of free time to get something started.

So, realize this and take action.

Even if its imperfect action, it will still get you started, then you can course correct along the way.

Nothing will ever get done by a person that waits until they think they can accomplish something so well that no-one will find fault with it, or without criticism from others.

It keeps us from being productive to our fullest potential.

The key is to keep moving until you stumble onto something great.

You will never accomplish great things sitting around waiting for the perfect time.

It distracts us from our purpose.

When you spend too much time on trivial bullshit, you tend to forget the purpose of what you started in the first place. My mission purpose and passion are helping people get fit and healthy, but also trying to build a successful and profitable business around that purpose.

I always put servicing my clients first, yet sometimes I let little things consume or distract me from the business aspect.

I worry about placing the perfect ad or making sure all the files and equipment at the gym is in order.

Yes, this stuff is important, but it needs to have limits.

This is an area that distracts me from the important things in my business-like sales calls and collecting failed payments. Perfectionism can derail priorities.

The bottom line is, that we all have issues.

You hear people self-diagnose all the time. I have ADD or ADHD or OCD or I have so much anxiety and stress in my life that I can’t get ahead, or I’ll never be successful.

Don’t let these things be an excuse for not reaching your fullest potential.

Yea, I have all those symptoms, and was professionally diagnosed with OCD, but I won’t let it stop me from attempting to fulfill my mission and create impact in anyone’s life that’s willing to listen to me and follow my advice.

I’ll admit that It will take me longer than someone without these issues, but I won’t let it stop me.

Although I suffer from over analyzing things (analysis = paralysis), I take action every day to overcome the obstacles in my life and recommend that you do too.

Yes, life is a struggle and we will encounter problems and setbacks daily, however, nothing is impossible.

Unless you don’t take action and sit around making up excuses and playing victim.

We have 2 choices in life, either step up and create your own destiny, or sit back and do nothing, and let extenuating circumstances control your life.

That’s a choice we all have, so take action today, even if everything in your life isn’t perfect.

Committed to your success. 

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Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one.

 

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