Opinion

So what if you are not perfect, yet?

Dear Lucy: “I have a chance to start a new job doing something that I have always wanted to do. The problem is that I know there are other people in the company who are better qualified.

Lucy Shaw

Dear Lucy: “I have a chance to start a new job doing something that I have always wanted to do. The problem is that I know there are other people in the company who are better qualified and know more than I do. But, I also know that I have been watching and studying and dreaming about this job for months and months! I just don’t think I’m good enough and I might mess up. What should I do?”

Dear Reader: So, where did you learn that you have to be perfect before you can do anything important? And whoever told you that you won’t be criticized? These two concepts hold so many people back from testing out their dreams.  

When I look at the actors who actually make it, there are good ones and a lot of sorry ones as well. But, the ones who make it are the ones who suck up their fear of being criticized and live in the blessing that there is something called a “rehearsal.” If you approach your opportunity with an attitude of giving it your very best, continuing to study and continuing to see yourself as a success, you can be successful.  

I can remember, as president of The Med (Regional Medical Center at Memphis), getting up every morning, pinching myself and laughing at myself. I never dreamed of being the president. But in every job leading up to it, I prepared for every day as if it was the rehearsal of a lifetime. I rehearsed “What would I do if?” and “What if I was the boss?” This meant that I read all of the trade journals for my business, read the news, read about the people who were successful at it and knew exactly what I would do if I was in charge.  

Not only did I know what I would do if I was in charge, I also made sure that I became the kind of employee I would want to have working for me! Become the thing that you dream of being, having and doing. Develop all of the traits that you think that thing is calling for. If you stay where you are, you will be criticized and if you move forward, you will be criticized.

Perfection is a “work in progress.” But at the end of the day, only your honest self-assessment of your intention and performance can make the difference.  

Go and get that dream!

Lucy

(Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heart works4u.com.  You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heart works4u.com.)