Commit to Doing 80%
Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to do your best,
and often your best doesn't look like going all out all the
time. This is especially true when you are making changes in
your life. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment and
failure, allow yourself some room to breathe and not be perfect.
Life is a process and it takes time, so commit to doing your
best 80% of the time and implement the new change slowly, but
consistently.
Whenever you decide to make a change in your life, there will be
a learning curve. It will take time to get all the pieces to
come together and fully embrace the change. Don't be too hard on
yourself if you are not perfect and you do not do everything
100% of the time. As long as you are consistent and do at least
80% of the new behavior every day, you are well on your way. You
can also give yourself permission not to be perfect, but to be
in the process. It takes time for any new change to become part
of your every day routine. If you give yourself permission not
to be perfect, but to stay persistent, you will have a better
chance of sticking with the change and not be overwhelmed by it.
Perfectionism is the road to disappointment. No one can do
everything perfectly 100% of the time, especially when you are
trying to make changes in your life. I have committed to taking
vitamins and supplements, which is all part of my getting super
healthy. Most days I take all of them right on schedule, some
days I forget to take a portion of them, and once in a while I
forget to take any of them. I am getting much better, but it is
a process. More and more, taking them is becoming a habit and
just one of those things I do, like brushing my teeth, but I
have given myself permission to shoot for 80% consistency, and
not 100% perfection.
When implementing change in your life, go for 80% consistency.
Over time you will become more consistent and the change will
become habit, but it takes time. If you tell yourself you have
to do it perfectly from the start, you are likely to become
overwhelmed and give up. So, instead of setting yourself up for
disappointment, create a structure where you can't fail, you can
only improve.