Very thought provoking post by Leo over on ZenHabits – He talks about the urge for self-improvement and how that can quickly run our lives. He questions the need to improve and wonders if it is actually a statement of our inadequacy.
I won’t go into the article too much here, except to say that I am guilty of having the urge, of seeking improvement. I think that is why this post of his struck a chord with me.
My favorite quote from the article:
Realize that you are already perfect. You are there. You can breathe a sigh of relief.
He suggests that we find contentment in where we are now. Find yourself adequate, perfect as you are. Quit worrying and be happy.
I like his statement and I like the tone of the post. I appreciate his calling out a whole industry that is built around feeding peoples need to improve, in finding the next ‘thing’ that will make be better.
However, he presents it as a one or the other argument. I wonder if he is drawing too thick of a line between the two – Either/Or vs Both.
I think a balance between the two places – improvement and contentment is the right place for me. I can be happy and content with where I am now in all facets of my life. And at the same time, I can try to improve in areas that that can be improved in. I believe that you can be happy with where you are now in something and yet at the same time, strive to change that area. The strive to change doesn’t equal unhappiness…
In fact, learning new things, trying new things, striving to make changes and see if they resonate with me is one thing that makes me happy. Content even. It’s not a contest, it’s a necessary part of an exciting life.
What about you? Are you on the self-improvement side, the contentment side, or ????
Matt Gorski 