For example, a project I have been toiling over at work is
not yielding the desired results. I’ve invested many hours in it, including
many after the normal business day is over. Despite my best efforts, I can’t
seem to make the progress I want. I was working myself up over this situation:
I wasn’t sleeping much; my mind was racing; my mood was sour; and I felt quite
dismal.
Just recently I spotted that I am trying to be exceptional,
a condition Dr. Low warns us to not try to attain. I have an exaggerated sense
of responsibility to this project. Although the results are disappointing, I
must acknowledge that the situation, on balance, is average: Not every project
I work on will have stellar results.
I am practicing internalizing these concepts, and for that I
am endorsing. I understand them intellectually, but my perfectionist streak
pushes back. I am reminded of the everyday saying of Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Although this
situation is disappointing, Dr. Low would remind me that such everyday
trivialities are never “dangerous.” With this in mind, I am finding some peace
in the situation.
