From my Perspective: Practice Makes Perfect

We've all heard the phrase, "Practice Makes Perfect," and it's one that has impacted my life over the years.

Recently, while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, I heard it in a different way. It's a quote by Art Williams, author of Pushing up People. It says: "Remember, before you can be great, you've got to be good. Before you can be good, you've got to be bad. But, before you can be bad, you've got to try."

It's essentially saying the same thing as practice makes perfect, but in my mind, in a more honest way. Seriously, how many of us just walked up to whatever new thing we wanted to do and were just really good at it right off the bat? I imagine it's not many of us. Of course, there are the few gifted people who can do that, but the majority of us really suck at whatever new endeavor we're starting.

While I didn't talk about my "word of the year" right at the beginning of the year, I still have one. It's "authentic." Something I'm striving to be more of every day. To me, it goes along with the practice makes perfect motto as well.

This year, my plan is to slow down enough to listen and participate in new things that I'm drawn to. I want to learn more, but actually do less - or maybe it's to do more of what I love. I'm still figuring it all out, and it's a process figuring out the authentic parts of myself - and for the record, it's also a little scary.

In the past, I've jumped on lots of opportunities that I was expected to participate in or be a part of. Now, I'm doing the things that really speak to my soul and I'm saying "no" to the things that don't. I'm asking myself lots of questions before I do things. Questions like: "What are the things I really love to do?" "Who are the people I really want to be spending my time with?" "How do I really want to spend my time?" "Do I really want to be the person that gives so much of themselves that there is nothing left for myself?" "Am I willing to learn new things?" "Is this really who I am?"

I encourage you to ask yourselves those same questions - or others that make sense for you and the stage of life you find yourselves in.

Here's what I found out. Yes, I want to learn new things. No, I don't have to participate in anything and everything that comes my direction, but I can try new things to see what else in this life speaks to my soul - and what doesn't. And no, I don't want to give so much of myself that I don't have time for me and the things that are important in my own life.

So far this year I've tried a few new things. I painted a picture, thanks to a program at the Lincoln Library. I'd always told myself I couldn't paint, but the truth of the matter is, that with a little guidance, I can. Am I going to be a famous artist who paints elaborate portraits? Likely not, but it was a fun experience. I tried something new.

I also went to the new scrapbooking club gathering at the Library. I've never scrapbooked a single item in my life, but had been thinking of putting together a family recipe book, a scrapbook for each of my kids, and at least one of my family history based on some letters and photos I recently acquired. I knew nothing about it but bought three scrapbooks I liked on clearance at Hobby Lobby and some blank cardstock. Jill and Michelle showed me lots of their tools, some of their work and gave me ideas for embellishments and how to plan the books I want to complete. I'm starting with the recipe book because it's just something that feels right. I may never be proficient at scrapbooking as the two individuals I'm learning from, but again, I'm learning and having a good time experiencing new things.

Additionally, I wanted to learn how to tie flies so I could go fishing with one of my dad's fly rods in the river behind my house. My dad loved fly fishing and when he passed away I ended up with many of his fishing items. Fishing is a bond my dad and I shared when I was a kids and one of my most favorite memories of spending time with him as a kid. Thanks to Jim Bosshard and a group of fly-tying enthusiasts who get together at the library on Friday afternoons, I am learning. I'm nowhere near a pro, but I'm having a good time and a week ago, tied my very first fly. I'll probably keep that fly forever as a reminder of where I started.

It's the same when I teach beginning spinning classes. Trust me, I was not good at all when I started spinning yarn, but I knew it was something I loved and wanted to get better at. I still have the very first three skeins of yarn (if you can even call them skeins) I spun while I was learning some 11 years ago. I bring those skeins to every class I teach to show people how imperfect everything will be when they are beginning.

Yes, practice makes perfect, but first I had to be willing to try. Then be bad at it. Then with more practice, I got better at it until I was good. Once I mastered good, I kept practicing until I became great at it, and now I teach others.

I wonder how much happier and authentic we would all be if we approached things in our lives this way. I wonder if it would make a difference and remind us we don't have to be great at everything - but we can always try.