Self-Improvement is a Journey-Perfection isn't

As I have run around the last three days trying to think of a blog topic that would be responsive to many of you, I kept thinking about everything but a blog topic... Funny how that happens. I am thinking about my rankings at work, I am thinking about photos coming back from my recent shoot being "good enough", thinking about being 54 days out from my Pro Debut in Orlando and my goal to place in the Top 5...The list only goes on and on. Finally,  it came to me... When am I going to be good enough for myself?  It is funny how life works.  How many times have we gotten ready to go to dinner and hate what we are wearing but get to the restaurant and receive compliments on our outfit, or what we perceived to be a bad score on a test turned out to be higher than the class average? Many of you probably just shook your head up and down. If you did, that means at one point in time, you have been hard on yourself or demanded excellence.  Welcome to my world!  From a young age, I have always been an overachiever. I always want to be the best and when I am not, it is very very difficult for myself to accept the view from below. If you are like me, you tend to be excited for others accomplishments while internally you are driving yourself for better and better. Drive a great character trait but excessive drive is a major flaw. In my competing life, my road to IFBB status was quicker than many competitors.  I was on the National scene for about 18 months before accomplishing one of my goals in turning “Pro”, yet I remember thinking to myself that I needed to make this huge step faster than it happened.  I didn't understand why I wasn't the best at every show and would spend countless nights obsessing over pictures of myself and my competition who placed higher than me at different shows. The same was true when I played soccer in college.  I would come off the field and get high fives, but would respond with something like "did you see that girl get away from me" or "I can't believe I didn't hit that shot".  Always searching for perfection. I write this for all of us who need a good slap in the face from time to time.  A bad game...well, look over in the stands at the fan in the wheelchair-You are their hero.  An outfit that you don't think looks trendy enough, well, think of the person who hasn't shopped for themselves in years- they would love to have your style. And finally think of the person at the gym who has watched you for months, aspiring to achieve what you have achieved. Your face could be on their inspiration board. As we all strive for top spots in our companies, big trophies or record breaking times, we should remember one quote "The  principle is competing against yourself.  It's about self- improvement. It's about being better than you were the day before." - Steve Young Take the cape off, we are not Superheros.  We are humans and we aren't supposed to be perfect. Stop and take the time to pat yourself on the back, and graciously accept compliments people give you to heart.  You will enjoy the view from the top more when you arrive, if you celebrate  your successes along the journey of life.  If perfection is what we continue to search for, it will be a never ending game of hide and go seek.