Peeke Blog

Raise your hand if youre a perfectionist. If you didnt, youre either in denial, or youve been through some perfectionist rehab program, or youre just plain lucky. My general rule is that if you own a pair of ovaries, youve got a strong pull toward perfectionism. So many women have tried in vain to live a life of perfection --- the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect employee, the perfect friend. How about you?

And dont try being a perfect participant in my books plans because my program is not about achieving perfection. Its about attaining a mental and physical transformation that takes into account my 80/20% proposition. Shoot for 80% and give yourself 20% for just plain being human. Try not to wake up every day and say Its 100% or bust. Instead say Ill give it my best and aim for 80%. Look, youll have 150% days as well as 50% days. The average is 80% and thats what you need to keep making progress in your transformation journey.

Many years ago I met Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian gymnast who earned a perfect score at the 1976 Olympic Games. She sat next to me at that White House event as we watched the premiere of a documentary on woman in sports.  I commented on her amazing career and I asked her So, whats it like to be perfect?

Ill never forget her reply: My scores were perfect because they were numbers, she said. I, however, am not perfect. Im a human being.

Well said! There can never be perfection in a living thing. When a great athlete stumbles, we gasp. But we cheer when that athlete gets up, regroups, and succeeds on the next try. To strive is human, and its the essence of a focused mind.

As I told you in my book Body for Life for Women, striving for perfection leads to endless guilt, and guilt doesnt get you anywhere but more self destruction. Guilt eats away at the positive energy you need to make progress.  If youre too terrified to take the first step for fear of not being perfect, youll go nowhere. Perfection leads to paralysis, not progress.

Thats why I say that if you work hard  and keep your focus 80 percent of the time, youre doing great. The other 20 percent, you get to be human! Speaking of being human, are you in the grips of hormonal mayhem today? No worries. Blow off your workout today. Youll regroup and bounce back tomorrow. If you fall off the wagon for a day or a week and binge, dont carry on like the world is coming to an end. Look for the lessons. Figure out why that binge occured so it doesnt happen again: regroup, and get back on track!   

One of the best ways to live by this principle is to fill out your Mind-Mouth-Muscle Journal Ive talked about in my books and blogs. Reflect on your day and write down three things that you did well and that helped you move forward. This gives you positive reinforcement and helps you build momentum. You see, youre giving yourself credit where credit is due.

And cut yourself some slack. Quit spending your time brooding about why your day didnt go perfectly. Instead, adjust your expectations and celebrate every little accomplishment, no matter how small. Every single step you take toward your goal, no matter how slow or small, is a triumph. Remember that.