{"id":29517,"date":"2017-12-26T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2017-12-26T18:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/classicalguitarshed.foureyes.com\/?p=29517"},"modified":"2023-01-16T01:34:54","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T09:34:54","slug":"tq-harriet-braiker-excellence-vs-perfectionism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/tq-harriet-braiker-excellence-vs-perfectionism\/","title":{"rendered":"Harriet Braiker on Excellence vs. Perfectionism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here<\/a>. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

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\u201cStriving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Harriet Braiker<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Perfectionism is born of fear — fear of judgement or rejection, fear of being seen, fear of admitting that our best may not be as “perfect” as someone else’s.<\/p>\n

But when we set our sights on excellence, we set fear aside. We heal from what Braiker called the “disease to please”.<\/p>\n

Instead of trying to shortcut and hurry, we ask more creative questions. We explore more deeply just for the sake of it. We take our personal worth and identity out of it and make our work in service to something larger.<\/p>\n

When we strive for excellence, we experience more meaning and connection in our work. While perfection is a short-term goal, excellence takes longer. It’s a path, not a destination. And as Joseph Campbell said, “When we’re on the path, we’re at the goal.”<\/p>\n

In daily practice, this all translates to “relish”.<\/p>\n