MIND. The 1% Mentality.

Raise your hand if you have strived to be a perfectionist at any point, in anything.

Yeah, me too.

It’s so easy to get pulled into the illusion of perfection, overachievement and neglect what is likely actually an overcompensation for deeper insecurities. It is one thing to strive for excellence. And entire different mindset to expect perfection.

I’m still a recovering perfectionist, and catch myself often even in what feels like the impossible world of doctoring and being a primary care physician. For some reason, I can still expect 100% success rate from myself. This is not only unrealistic, but also sets me up for a mindset of disappointment and failure. Not to mention, not how the human body/mind/soul works - we are so much more complex than just percentages and pain scales.

I have come to embrace the 1% mentality. Improve by 1% everyday. I find it takes the pressure off and embraces the notion of trajectory and journey over the binary pass/fail finality. I believe it also takes us out of the classic American notion of ALL or NOTHING. Go big, or go home. In a world instant gratification, 1% improvement may seem trivial, or perhaps even pointless. Just like any investment though, compounded over time - it adds up.

Often with patients, we celebrate together any trajectory in a positive direction. Because really, what is the state of “perfect health?” That may change on a daily, perhaps hourly basis. Recognizing trends in the right direction, any amount of 1% improvement over time, is something to recognize as a win. That lowering A1C? Reduction in bloating? Mildly improved sleep? We may not be to the final goal, but if we are heading in the right direction, that is something to celebrate.

What areas can you strive for 1% progress in and ditch perfection?