Mid-Year Reflections on My Personal Path to Picture Progress Over Perfection.

Years ago, at Harvard, two researchers noticed something intriguing at the Peabody Museum of Natural History. They came across a description of two 19th-century German glassmakers, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, that read, "Descended from a long line of Bohemian glass artists, Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolf were gifted with such extraordinary skill and passion for their work that one might argue these attributes were indeed in their blood." This sparked a question in the researchers’ minds: When we say someone is gifted, does it matter if their talent comes from hard work or natural ability?

To explore this, the Harvard researchers asked over a hundred musical experts whether innate talent or hard work was more important for musical ability. The experts unanimously said hard work and hours of practice mattered most. However, when asked to compare two pieces of music—one from a pianist described as working very hard and another from a musician said to be naturally gifted—the experts preferred the music from the "naturally gifted" performer, finding it more beautiful. What’s most fascinating about this study is in reality, both performances were by the same pianist. The music seemed more impressive when the performer was described as a natural talent rather than a hard worker.

Isn't it fascinating how we, as humans, value the naturally gifted more than those who work hard? We intellectually understand that hard work is key, yet we can't help but admire those who seem effortlessly talented. This realization hit home for me this year as I embarked on my journey of "Picturing Progress."

The Trap of Comparison

I firmly believe in the power of progress. It’s exciting and invigorating because it makes so much logical sense. Similar to the musical experts who proclaimed that hard work was the secret to success, I too believe that achieving goals comes through consistent, daily progress. However, one of the surprises I’ve encountered on this journey is how distracting the allure of natural talent can be. Comparison, it turns out, is one of the chief enemies of progress.

Comparison is a trap that can paralyze growth. Research shows that comparing ourselves to others can lead to lower self-esteem, increased anxiety, and even depression. Despite knowing that it's unhealthy, we often can't resist the magnetic pull of comparing ourselves to those who seem naturally gifted.

My Personal Journey

There have been many times on my road to progress over perfection that I’ve fallen into the trap of comparing my progress to someone else’s. It’s easy to look at what I’m doing and compare it to someone in a similar season of life and think, "How come they’re growing faster than I am?" Every time I do that, it casts a cloud of doubt and anxiety rather than fueling growth.

Some people say that comparing yourself to others can be motivating, but that’s not been my experience. On the contrary, I find that I’m in my most negative mindset when I’m comparing myself to other people. What’s been most beneficial to me on my road to progress hasn’t been measuring myself against others, but rather, catching myself when I have thoughts of comparison, stopping them, and then transitioning it into celebrating those around me with gratitude. Fighting comparison with celebration has been a useful reframe for me as it’s helped me develop more appreciation and gratitude for others, humbled me to be more curious about others' success, and thus fueled me to learn new ways I can progress myself.

Practical Tips for Progress

In retrospect, if I could write a letter to myself and deliver it to myself six months ago, I would offer a few simple tips to help smooth out the road of picturing progress over perfection:

1. When you begin to compare yourself to others, stop and choose to celebrate them instead.
2. Be curious about everything. There’s always more to the story in people's successes and failures.
3. Progress is about momentum. Just like swinging on a swing set, it takes a lot of energy to get started, but once you get going, it gets easier and a lot more fun.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Just as the Harvard researchers discovered that even experts can be swayed by the allure of natural talent, we too must be vigilant against this seductive pull in our own lives. By focusing on our unique journey and celebrating our progress, we can cultivate a mindset that values growth over perfection. God made us all unique and for a different purpose; have fun with the life you’ve been gifted and steward it for something bigger than yourself.

Reflective Questions:

1. How often do you find yourself comparing your achievements to others?
2. What steps can you take to focus more on your personal progress rather than societal standards?
3. In what ways can you align your daily actions with your unique purpose or calling?

Join me in this journey of embracing progress over perfection. Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let's encourage each other to grow, learn, and succeed in our own unique ways.