Do not Let Perfect Become the Enemy of Good

                I came across this saying in my morning meditation today, and, as I was patting myself on the back, I realized I was a little premature in congratulating my progress on this issue.   I first heard this statement from a minister, and I thought it was quite useful as a perspective to develop.

                I realize as I think about it that I have made some progress in applying this wisdom to some of the projects I find myself undertaking.  I’ve learned, for example, when cooking a recipe for the first time that while I might see ways that I can improve on it the next time, I am able to appreciate its “goodness” on my first try.

                In my gardening efforts it is always a lesson to be learned in the beginning and throughout the spring and summer season how much each plant needs to be watered.  I seldom lose a plant because I have misjudged, but sometimes a plant gets a little droopy looking as a sign that it is indeed thirsty.  The nice thing about plants that if you catch the need for water within a day or so, you may lose a few blossoms, but the plant will recover.

                Here is where I realized I could still use some work.  I am religious about making a daily schedule using the Microsoft calendar product on my computer.  I like that it offers the option to see and print a month-at-glance view as well a daily schedule.  I have relied on the monthly overview for a long time.  It enables me to avoid booking myself to the max every day. 

                When we were more able to be out and about prior to the pandemic, I did not like to find myself booked every evening in a week.  I am definitely someone who needs down time.

                I print my daily calendar each day, and the scheduled time shows up as well as unscheduled time.  Using my monthly view as a guide, I have a good sense of what I have to do each day so that I do not find myself facing a day where I have to work nonstop.

                For example, I am facilitating a number of courses via Zoom and I like to send out the materials we will be using in each group at least  2-3 days in advance of our gathering.  Once I list those kind of tasks on a daily view, I begin to fill in other things I want to do. This assortment of tasks can include such things as home projects, grocery shopping and cooking, gardening tasks, regular tasks as required like paying bills, etc. 

                And, particularly in this period of social distancing and isolation, I am trying to make sure I do things that help me stay healthy and fit.  I am not comfortable going back to the gym yet, and my yoga classes that I enjoy have not opened back up yet.

                So I find myself writing goals each day like the following:

• Walking: I try to make 50,000-60,000+ steps a week
• Yoga: After much searching, I have found some workable online yoga classes and I am trying to fit in at least 3 yoga sessions a week
• Mediation:  I would like to have a pretty solid daily meditation in practice in place before winter hits.  I have been meditating for some time and I am comfortable and enjoy the practice.  The challenge is making time for it.

I am also trying to write for 2-hour blocks at least four days a week.  And on it goes.

Here is where I could work on applying the title of this blog.  At the end of each day or the morning of the next day, I like to check off what I did manage to get done or accomplished.  I review what did not occur and if it still seems important to me I simply move  the tasks to the following day.   Instead of congratulating myself on what I did accomplish, I can hear some voice in my head telling me that I need to do better.

I seldom ever get to cross off everything that I list on my daily schedule, so this is not a new pattern.  I like using my time well, including taking time to relax and do something fun or playful. 

On a positive note, I am grateful that I am able to find so many activities that I enjoy doing and that give me purpose and meaning in my life.  As I was walking one day last week, I said “Hello” to a friendly gentleman I do not by name who is out watering his front yard every day.  He asked me recently if I was going stir crazy yet, and my immediate response was, “No, I have a lot of interests so I’m not lacking in things that I am able and want to do.”  His response of “Keep it up” was encouraging.

I am going to see if I can follow the message contained in the title as I review each day and how I spent my time.  It should not be that hard to do.  As I think about it, I believe it will be helpful for me to reframe what my lists represent.  The obligations that include other people – like the classes I am offering are typed into each daily schedule.  The things I write in represent my choices of how I would like to spend my time that day as opposed to things that I “must” do.  I need to think of these items as “possibilities” I can choose from each day.

This process of choosing my use of time daily for at least part of a day is less structured.  It calls for a different kind of listening.  I actually like having the option of choosing how to use my discretionary time each day.  Having this option does require that I pay attention and listen to choosing wisely what my full being is telling me would be most helpful. 

Basically, it comes down to being more self-aware and being mindful about how I choose to spend my time.  It is great to have that choice, and I want to bring more compassion to celebrating what I am accomplishing instead of feeling lacking because I did not accomplish everything on my list! As my grandmother used to tell me when I put more food on my plate than I could eat, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach!”  In this case, my spirit has more capacity to engage, explore, and do than time allows in one day.