There is an old saying, “practice makes a man perfect”. Do you agree with that?

Is there any measuring scale for perfection? Is it a universal scale for everyone? When we appraise someone superior or inferior based on comparisons, we just forget that we are talking about two different human beings. That ‘Supreme power’ has created us with unique DNA pattern and fingerprints, having different talents and potential with a different question paper to answer. So how can we compare ourselves to others? Our motto is to improve ourselves, so the competition must be with our own self. Never measure your progress on someone else’s criteria. For years, perfection and success are considered to be inseparable and complementary to each other. That’s why it is deep-rooted in our minds that to achieve success, we need to be perfect. And many of us wait for this perfection even if it’s just to break out of our shells. Don’t you think this will happen the day when pigs fly? 😄

It’s just an excuse for procrastination. Remember what Tim Notke once quoted – Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. And how can we forget Paul Arden’s views on the matter – Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you do, and fix it along the way…!

You can achieve excellence, but not perfection. It’s an illusion that never exists and suits to robots only. Yes! To robots, because they are a machine, and a machine isn’t allowed to commit mistakes. But we do and learn as well. After all, to err is human. The day you think it to be perfect, that feeling saturates you. If you attain perfection, it’s quite difficult to stop there and maintain your sanity. And remember, perfect often degrades.

In this whole ‘life process’, the process of betterment, we have overlooked the importance of ‘practice’ that’s the key to success. There is no alternative to this. It is the only way to turn your good into great, ordinary into extraordinary. The more you practice, the better you will be.

Let me tell you a real story!

In the 1920s, there was a “Charlie Chaplin look-alike competition” to search for people who look exactly like, Charlie Chaplin. Secretly, Charlie Chaplin also participated in that contest. You will be amazed to know that he stood ‘third’ in that contest. Two more people looked exactly like him. This could be redeemed only by practice as there is always a scope of betterment.

Similarly, if we look at inventions, the invention of the telephone by Graham Bell was a revolutionary step in social interaction. And as a result of that innovation, today we are using smartphones. No doubt Graham Bell is the trailblazer of this technology, but still, there is always a scope of improvement.

Perfection is just like a mirage. There’s no point chasing it. Instead, focus on excellence. Keep trying to achieve your goals to improve yourself. The beauty of life doesn’t lie in perfection but continuous improvement. So, practice and practice, and remember – practice makes a man exceptional.  

“When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target.”——George Fisher