I am a recovering perfectionist. Let me share my story.

I have always loved spreadsheets, drawers, compartments, and file folders. I find comfort in them. They are where I am most at peace. This may sound delusional to you, especially if you're more of a free thinker. But it's where I find my core, my zone.

It started with one of my first jobs - bussing tables. I worked for a busy hometown Dutch restaurant that was packed out on Saturday nights with a long line that extended out the door and up the sidewalk. It was hot, loud, and hard work. I would wheel the cart up to a used table and go to it. All the silverware went in one place, all the trash in another, plates, and cups. I would try to time myself for how quickly I could get the table ready for another patron. I understood that an empty table was tied directly to the bottom line. I loved that job. In fact, I've uttered many times, "If I could have raised a family of 4 on the salary, I'd just as soon buss tables all my life.".

This love of organization has served me well over the years. I have been able to get a lot accomplished. I took this "bussing tables" approach to my role as Chief Operating Officer, Life Coach, and now Business Consultant/Leadership Coach.

But I have been on the dark side of having an aptitude for organization. It's called perfectionism. It's not fun to live as a perfectionist. It's not fun for those who live with a perfectionist. You see, being organized is an asset for me. But taken too far, organization can become perfectionism - a liability. It's organization at its extremes.



When we talk about the definition of excellence as "Becoming the fullest expression of your unique, God-given design", we are not talking about taking your design to its extremes. I call that "false expression".

What ARE we talking about when we say "fullest expression"?

I was on a call just this morning with a client and we were talking about liminal space, the swing from engagement and release, and less is more. During that conversation I was made aware of the delicate, yet powerful, nuance to "full expression". It's less programmed and more art. It's recognizing the tendency to take what is a unique gift or ability too far. It's having respect for the uniqueness. It's about looking for early warning signs that you're approaching the liability phase.

How DO you fully express your unique design without it becoming an overbearing liability?

The answer to the art form of full expression is reflection. Daily stepping back and disengaging from the push to notice what's going on around you. Do a little download of all that's in your mind. Reflect on it all and see if there are any signs of "false expression". We want "FULL expression" not "FALSE expression."

ACTION STEP

• Create a definition of what full expression is for your unique design
• Create a top 10 list of signs that your full expression is becoming false expression
• Keep these handy for our daily reflection times (preferably first thing in the morning)

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