It seems to me more and more that the absolute worst way to prepare for life, a new situation, a challenge or difficulty is to hold the expectation of perfection. To spend hours and even days, tense and worried about not getting what I want or failing in some way, is automatic for me. Surely, a better way to spend the mental energy would be how I will walk away or fail or not get what I planned. How will I calmly and sincerely/humbly apologize or admit my error (which is a 50/50 proposition every single day) or stand in open laughter or judgment from others?
That will likely be an outcome. Perfection is just as likely anyway. I think I'd rather practice NOT getting what I wanted or having things NOT be accepted as I thought. then attempt to force things to go my way. I know I don't have to practice getting what I want. There is no need to learn or practice how to handle the result of getting what you want.
The other day I really 'stepped in it'. Instead of defending myself or arguing or running...I just said, "Yeah...wow...that was not cool of me. I'm sorry." And some of the folks were okay with that and some weren't. But I was okay with it. That's all I could do. I can't prevent screwing up...I can only try to repair what I've broken after the fact as graciously and kindly as possible. That's the nature of this life. Accept it or not, that's your choice---it's just easier if you do.
See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.
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