Why Happy is Better than Perfect!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a Vlog about how I decided to finally bring dance back into my life. And not just into my life, I actually brought it onto the stage in front of people, and potentially risked my professionalism in the process. It was one of the most liberating experiences!

Now I'm sure some of you are saying, 'right Sarah but you're an extrovert and you're used to being outspoken and being out there' or 'but Sarah I like something different and it's not quite as easy as you make it out to be' or 'I can't just bring it back into my adult life when I don't have as much mobility or have what you have'! Believe me when I say I understand where you're coming from and "I'm going to stand up for your greatness"!

If you don't embrace your greatness you will feel stifled. It will impact your mental and physical health, your relationships and eventually you just go into 'autopilot mode'. I'm pretty sure none of you want that in your lives, right? You want vivacious relationships where people look up to you. Where your kids, your colleagues, say 'wow if she/he can do it then I guess I can do it too'! Not only that, you want to be able to be proud and look back on your life. Take me for example, I don't want to sit on my deathbed and said, "You know, I probably shouldn't have danced in front of 300 people". No. Instead I say "wow that was pretty darn cool"! Why should we focus on our regrets? Your goal should be to have no regrets. I guess what I'm saying is that if you don't try something new, how can you surprise yourself with your awesomeness? When you put yourself out there what you get back can be so rewarding.

Now some of you have been asking me, how did I do it? How did I get through that process. Well you know what, honestly, it's not rocket science. If something brings you joy, you're a lot less likely to worry about messing up or being a failure because you're doing it for the pure pleasure of it. We get so used to as grownups doing with other people tell us to do or think we should do. Our expectations and strengths are defined by other people. You should be the one defining what your strengths are and what fuels your passion!

The second thing is find a group that is very welcoming and inviting, they're not going to shame, blame, or criticize you. I experienced that in the community called the Spark Women's Leadership Conference, a very receptive audience. When you find that failure friendly context, then that's your forum to just experiment and try. 

The last thing I'd like to suggest is that you have patience with yourself. Recognize the little tiny increments, the milestones. Whether it be progress that you're making in the things that bring you joy, that reinvigorate you, the talent, the skillset, but also the fact that you are showing up and are actually doing it! Patience, perseverance and just recognize your greatness in that moment because it is not about perfection.

You know, if you think about it, there are few things that we're going to do where 'we're going to be top of our game'. And yet we spend so much time talking about that and especially in our workplaces. We say to ourselves, "I'm going to achieve" or "I'm going to recognize people for their being the top achievers", "for going above and beyond". Well what about "being happy with our lives" and maybe it's something that we're not terribly proficient at. Or "what about what inspires us in our lives? Let's recognize the progress, recognize that you stood tall for something that you believed in and weren't perfect at. 

Wouldn't it be a great world if we were less concerned about being perfect? How much happier we would be. That my friends, would be your greatness magnified! If you need help building a roadmap check out my book Flip Side of Failing. What you'll read in this book is that you're in good company with other people who have pushed outside their comfort zone and found joy in ways that they never thought possible.

Thank you for reading and remember, you are part of your greatness magnified.

Sarah McVanel is a recognition expert, sharing her knowledge and client stories through professional speaking, coaching, training and her co-authored books “Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness?: Solution Focused Strategies for Satisfied Staff, High Performing Teams and Healthy Bottom Lines” and “The FROG? Effect Workbook: Tools and Strategies to Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness” as well as her recently published, “Flipside of Failing”. Visit her at Greatness Magnified or on eSpeakers. Want more greatness every week? Subscribe to our YouTube channel , our Daily Alexa Flash Briefing for Greatness Biz tips, or Daily Tips to Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness and our blog.