Not Perfect, Just Practicing

Try, fail, practice, then try one more time. Repeat.

This might just be the most valuable piece you'll stumble upon on LinkedIn today. Wondering where I got this lesson from? It's none other than Thomas Alva Edison himself. One of his greatest quotes reads, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." — Thomas A. Edison

Contrary to popular opinion, practice doesn't make you perfect. Instead, it refines you to a point that mirrors perfection. Perfectionism is but an illusion. Nobody is perfect, ever. Those you look up to, those who are seemingly flawless, once faced the same challenges that currently scare you. They've just been in the game longer than you that it is difficult to falter. They're still perfectly imperfect.

If you're just starting out, you are permitted to make mistakes. Miss deadlines, stutter in front of your audience, hit a bad note mid-performance, make errors in your letters. This might be my way of subtly acknowledging that perfection is a distant goal for me. I am just like some of you—novice, mostly unsure, growing, becoming.

Yet, at this point I have people looking up to me too. I get asked similar questions like those ahead of me, like "How did you get so good?" Even then, I am quick to let them know that I am still becoming. But to find myself in the position of being asked such questions, I likely have accumulated more experience in the field than they have, creating the impression of competence.

That's just how our journeys are. We are all at different stages and phases. However, we know that right where we are, we can be better. Even if it starts here, it doesn't end here. We are capable of more. To get where we need to be, we repeat the process, practice over and over again, get familiar with the game. We become!

Think of that very challenge you've struggled with this week. Have you practiced long enough to get past it? Or are you quick to give up? On you? Perhaps, you feel your peers are way ahead of you and you happen to be trailing behind. First and foremost, your journey is unique. Moreover, even if you started out later than others, it's still YOUR journey and it is that way for a reason. Stop sulking and start doing.

A tech bro? Your first code will probably suck.

An artist? Revel in the imperfections of your artwork.

A student? A D on your grade doesn't define your intelligence.

A public speaker? You may not sound impeccable on your first attempt.

A writer? Sometimes the best of your works will be those that point to your flaws.

Every stumble, every misstep, and every moment of doubt are integral parts of your becoming. In Edison's words, each attempt pushes you closer to success, each time you try you BECOME better. Don't stop. Practice. Over. And. Again. Become.

With imperfections,

Dorcas.