Commit to Doing 80%

by Rachelle Disbennet-Lee, PhD.

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 it 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, but only improve.

Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD provides daily motivation, information and inspiration to thousands of people through her award winning e-zine 365 Days of Coaching.  For a free report, "The Power of Daily Action - How to create more Wealth, Health and Happiness by Tapping Into the Power of Daily Action" go to http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/daily_action.htm 
© Coach Rachelle Disbennett Lee, PhD, 2007