?? The Journey of Relentless Incrementalism

As a perfectionist, I always strive to do things perfectly. Whether it's solving complex math equations or meticulously ticking off every proof point, I've strived for flawlessness. This mindset served me well up until Grade 12. However, once I entered the workforce, it quickly became apparent that perfectionism was unrealistic and a source of immense stress. Mastering everything is impossible, and clinging to that belief became a hindrance rather than a strength.

Recently, I had an eye-opening experience while learning to ride a bike. This simple yet challenging activity revealed the pitfalls of a perfectionist approach and taught me the value of embracing imperfection. Slowly, I'm overcoming my fear, which I talked about last year.

To embrace imperfection and to celebrate gradual progress is a journey, not a destination, and that's perfectly fine.

January - March: 10% better

I began my journey with indoor cycling on a rear-wheel-mounted trainer. For three months, I practiced for 60 to 90 minutes weekly, building my confidence in a controlled environment.

April - June: 0.1% better

Despite my initial enthusiasm, once the winter class is over. I struggled to maintain consistency as my classmates went outdoors. There were weeks when I didn't practice at all. Yet, I pushed myself to take the bike out a couple of times, even riding 10km to a friend's place on the Danforth. I fell at an intersection, but I got back up.

July: 1% better

My friend invited me to Markham for a road biking trip. We covered 21km. While he found it easy, it was a significant challenge for me. It turned out I was biking in the wrong gear; hence, it took me much effort to bike. Despite the difficulty, I didn't fall. He also taught me some tips, such as how to start my bike with the lowest gear.

This week, I made a small but impactful change: I placed my bike near my front door so I could see it every day. This simple act served as a reminder to strive for incremental improvement, aiming to be just 1% better each time.

Encouraged by this progress, I biked to a food closet to which I donate weekly, which was the KR1 I set for myself last July. It was a year late, but I'm glad I completed it! The ride was hot and daunting, but I didn't fall.

Learning:

• Learning to bike has taught me that it's OK not to be an expert in everything. It's OK to find things challenging, while others might find them easy. It's OK to be humble and accept my limitations. This journey has been a powerful reminder that growth, not perfection, is the true goal.
• Whenever I feel rushed or overwhelmed, I remind myself not to be intimidated by the obstacles, whether a cement truck or a bus trying to navigate an intersection. Instead, I focus on my progress, no matter how small. This mindset shift has been liberating, transforming frustration and helplessness into determination and resilience.

I'm still scared to bike on the road, but thanks to my stubbornness, I will try it again this week!