My friend peter posted this today and I thought it might do some good for those of us mired in perfectionism.
“Facing Roadblocks
When poet William Stafford (1914-1993) was asked how his daily practice of writing one poem a day could possibly produce quality poetry of high standards, he replied: “I lower my standards.” During last week’s retreat, Zen Teacher Hogen Bays offered similar advice, “When the roadblocks are too daunting and you feel stuck, lower your expectations and go on from there.” My visceral response was one of relief. You mean it’s OK not to aim for perfection? I felt unburdened of a life-time obsession with “getting it right” and “doing more.” Anything less, I’d always thought, would mean being a slacker. Phew!”
