by Mike Peercy, Executive Director of Fostering Grace

II don’t remember when I first heard the seemingly flippant expression, “nobody’s perfect!”

It’s true, of course, but it seems like sometimes we use it as a sort of excuse for less than ideal behavior. Most of us are pretty quick to recognize that we mess up pretty routinely in many ways.

When you consider the impossibility of perfection, it seems ridiculous to expect it from anyone. Very few would dare to suggest that they have reached that mark. But… it seems that many of us get to a place of satisfaction with our own ways. We might not say it is perfection, but we accept our lives as they are and resign ourselves to the status quo.

But something changes when we adjust our focus and expectations with a new lens. My buddy Mike talks a lot about getting 1% better every day. It’s the deliberate striving to improve by even the smallest degree in order to continue to grow, continue to learn, continue to reach forward in becoming the person we know we can and should be.

It’s about progress over perfection.

Perfection says you have it all figured out. Progress says there is always more to learn.

Perfection tells you that you have nothing to change. Progress tells you that you can continue to improve.

Perfection expects that you are inherently right. Progress expects that there is more to the situation than your perspective.

Perfection demands that your are always at peak performance. Progress demands that you recognize when you’re not.

Perfection allows no room to grow. Progress allows unlimited growth.

You see, when we aim for progress over perfection, we have room for grace, room for patience, room for compassion… and so very much hope.

A progress mindset brings hope that we can make a difference in ourselves and those around us today. And again tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that.

I want to live in a way that seeks progress over perfection for all of my days. And I want to do it in a way that is contagious. Would you join me?

What do you say—will you lean in with me to pursue progress over perfection?

---