Imperfect Progress

 There is a beautiful thing called Imperfect Progress

It comes when we take slow steps of progress wrapped in grace

Lysa TerKeurst

 

I don’t know about you, but there are some things I need to be perfect and others I don’t.

So many times, I’ve watched YouTube videos of people folding fitted sheets and ended up bundling mine into a squarish shape and shoving them into the linen cupboard. 

At the end of the day, I don’t lie in bed and worry about those sheets being scrunched instead of beautifully folded. But, there are other things that I obsess about, worry about, and try to make perfect.  

When something keeps you awake at night, when something interrupts your peace during the day, when you keep going over and over something to get it right, then you know you have a perfectionist problem. 

When this happens to me, I get stuck. I’m like a mouse on a running wheel that keeps going in circles, not getting anywhere, but I’m giving it all I’ve got. I’m sweating. I’m putting in a lot of effort. But, I’m not getting anywhere.

Every book I've worked on over the years has the same struggle. I keep editing, adding, second-guessing, getting advice, editing, adding, second-guessing ... 

You get the picture.

I decided to take this problem in hand and forget about perfectionism. Instead, I took up imperfect progress. 

I now build my plans around fewer goals. I have had pages and pages of goals in the past but now I’ve refined them. Maybe it’s a by-product of getting older? 

I  make sure I have milestones along the way. I just have to get the words on the page. I write on planes, trains, and ferries. I write between appointments. I write wherever and whenever I can. 

When I have the first rough draft done, it feels great. Is it perfect? No.

Do I still have work to do on it? Yes.

Sometimes, we need to break down a big goal into steps. Make it manageable.

Sometimes, we need to give ourselves grace. 

Beating ourselves up over something because it’s not perfect and letting that stall us into inaction, is not helpful.

Whether it’s writing, parenting, weight loss, fitness, or climbing a mountain, taking slow steps of progress wrapped in grace is a great way to live. 

Grace means forgiving yourself, allowing yourself to be less than perfect. Allowing yourself to acknowledge that there is a purpose for your life and that, step-by-step, you are walking on that path.

If you get stuck for a while, just do one small thing that will take you one step closer. 

If I don’t take those imperfect steps, my manuscripts would still not be finished. 

If I hadn’t taken many walks and climbs in preparation, I’d never have been able to climb Mt Kilimanjaro a few years ago. 

If I hadn’t given myself some grace, I’d still be stuck. 

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

The Message 2 Corinthians 12:9

Is there something in your life that needs imperfect progress? What small steps of progress wrapped in grace do you need to take?

Elaine Fraser

www.elainefraser.co