Dear friends,
Someone was once invited to lend a helping hand in a very worthwhile project.
The person declined without a moment's hesitation.
The reason?
I would not take this on unless I could be sure I could do it perfectly.
That vacant position remained at a standstill until eventually someone else was found who agreed to do the best they could.
The first person's refusal was an example of how the best can very often be the enemy of the good.
A friend of mine now sadly deceased had a saying which I found difficult to agree with at the time.
His words were rather surprising.
He suggested that if something is worth doing at all,
It's worth doing badly.
The friend was not advocating slipshod or careless work.
He was a thoroughly reliable person himself.
Instead,
He was suggesting that any action is better than none.
If we are waiting for the input and the cooperation of a perfectionist,
We may find ourselves waiting for far longer than is necessary.
So the message of this talk is simply,
Do your best.
Do not stress yourself with the idea that everything has to be perfect.
Now,
If you are working on aircraft maintenance or the building of a spacecraft,
You are operating in an area where perfection is called for.
But I'm talking here about everyday life.
The tasks we perform,
The help we offer,
The good we try to do for others.
Try being a little easier on yourself,
Accepting as Pareto wisely put it centuries ago that the first 20% of the work brings in about 80% of the result.
Remember too that just to begin a project rewards you with the energy to continue.
So in the time ahead,
May you be blessed with the ability to happily do your best and may your best efforts be rewarded with success.
May they bring you some of the happiness you deserve.
Namaste.
