I am continually caught in the thought process of “I will not be able to do this perfectly, so why even bother?” I have thought this way in terms of trying a new hobby, eating healthy, working out, expanding my professional career skills, and so many other things. However, looking back I am more proud of myself for the times I tried and failed then the times I never tried at all.
An interesting examples of all or nothing mentality to me is the terms vegan vs plant based. One of the most common reasons people don’t want to go vegan is because they like a particular type of food. Because they can’t give up X, they can’t do a vegan lifestyle. However, if you offer up the possibility of going plant based, it seems much more approachable. You are doing most of what the vegan diets do, but it gives that wiggle room of just saying it is based around plants. It takes away that guilt of feeling like someone has to be perfect and allows them to ease into eating more vegan alternatives.
Lets try enjoying the process.
This all or nothing thought process can make someone think that they cannot be happy until they reach that final goal. This leaves us just chasing perfection, chasing happiness. I don’t know about you, but if I am actively “chasing” something, I have my head down, singularly focused on it, unable to appreciate anything else around me. I don’t want to be chasing happiness.
In the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, he talks about not focusing on the final large end goal, but focusing on that one percent increase. This gives you satisfaction on your accomplishments and allows you to make another tiny goal. It keeps you stay motivated and moving forward.
Lets take this concept and apply it to climate change
When it comes to climate change, we have a lot of systems built without protecting the planet in mind. When we talk about protecting the planet, I don’t just mean “save the trees and the polar bears”. I am referring to:
- the communities that will lose their land due to rising waters
- the declining diversity of wildlife, marine life, and insects
- the farmers looking to bring consistent food supplies to everyone
- the growing populations affected by natural disasters
- clean water for everyone
- and many other aspects
We need to start working to fix these many different systems that are unsustainable. This doesn’t mean we need some people doing one particular thing correct. We need lots of people trying to be imperfectly better. If we all don’t work to chip away at them, how will they fix themselves?
We won’t do it by coming up with the perfect plan and we don’t do it by ignoring the problem. We satisfy our guilt by telling ourselves there is someone else better suited to fix this problem. “If I tried, it would only end in failure.” There is never going to be a perfect time to get involved besides right now. Now is when we will have the most time to try and fail. We need to stop waiting for the perfect scientific study that will magically encourage us all to do our part.
Did you know you could help fight climate change by changing up who you make purchases from? Check out my blog article on Vote with your Dollar: An Environmental Perspective!
How to Kick the All or Nothing Mentality?
Have you ever seen a tortoise walk? If you are focused on watching him walk from one spot to another, it may feel painfully slow. However, if you glance away and look back you tend to have underestimated his speed. As cliche has it is, slow and steady can win a race. So focus on that next step!
- Praise imperfection. Don’t give people a hard time for being imperfect and don’t do it to yourself either. This doesn’t mean you should stop improving though!
- Celebrate the small wins. Every improvement brings you closer to where you want to be.
- Is what I am doing a net positive? I look at this in two ways, is it a net positive for the world? Is it a net positive for me growing as a person? If the answers are yes for these, I can feel confident in my decision and move onto my next goal, activity, etc.
Has fear of failure kept you from trying something new? Has the idea of perfection held you back from furthering your goals? Do you think you can give yourself a break and try again? I would love to chat about it in the comments!
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2 thoughts on “Cut Out the All or Nothing Mentality for You and the Planet”
Well said. I particularly like this line – “We need lots of people trying to be imperfectly better.” That’s the only way we will ever be able to get over/past the hurdles in front of us, be they political or functional. Reminds me of the old saying – Don’t let perfect get in the way of good enough. We must make progress, and holding ourselves or anyone else to perfection won’t git ‘er done.
Thank you for checking out my blog Martin! I really like that saying you posted. Have a great day!