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By David Breslow/Performance Success Coach
Copyright©2002 and 2003 David Breslow

Did you ever notice how many winning performances were imperfect performances? While amateurs and aspiring pros work diligently to be "perfect" in every way, the truth is that the performance of champions is generally NOT perfect.

Take a look at old tapes of golf's U.S. Open Championships, British Opens or The Masters for example. You'll see shots flying all over the course. You'll see missed putts, drives landing off the fairways and approach shots going into bunkers and water.

Look at the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the 2003 playoffs Martin Brodeur, the playoff winning goaltender was far from perfect many times throughout the series. In fact, in game 6 he was pulled from the game! He came back in game 7 and shutout the opposition.

Baseball players are considered a success when they get hits 3 out of ten at bats. Perfection? No. A batting average of three hundred is considered a lofty feat in baseball. Great pitchers don't throw perfectly all the time either. They can miss their targets, give up home runs and walk opposing batters and still win ballgames!

Shaquille O'neil and Tim Duncan, two of the NBA's best big men can't shoot free throws very well, they miss jump shots and throw poor passes at times too! The best shooters in the league strive for a 50% shooting percentage from the field. . Perfection? No.

The top tennis players in the world commit unforced errors and double faults during competition and they still win.

What is the point of all this? The point is that people who become winners do not do so because they've attained perfection. They become champions because they can work with imperfection better than others. Perfection is not the key to winning. Sure, players STRIVE for perfection but it's working with the reality of imperfection that brings you to your better performances.

Golfers fall into the perfection "trap" preparing for competition at times. They try to be so perfect in everything they do; they wind up over trying and scoring poorly. After a while, if they are smart, they realize that perfection is not the goal. Imperfect golfers playing imperfect rounds have won many championships. The key is being "perfect" within your "imperfection"!

Here are some important things to know about "imperfection" and "perfection" that can help you work with imperfection more effectively:

1. Perfectionism And Self-Sabotage
Have you ever tried to be perfect? What usually happens? This usually creates unnecessary tension and tightness, which in turn negatively affects your ability to play to your potential. Players who think about being perfect usually set themselves up for disappointment and failure because as soon as reality (imperfect shots and results) doesn't match the hope (being 100% perfect!), the player has set up a situation where a negative reaction will occur.

2. Getting Real
Being imperfect is more real than being perfect. Champions are not "afraid' of looking bad because they are too focused on the task at hand. It's the effort and commitment they make that pulls them through. Golfers hit poor shots, hockey players get knocked down, basketball players miss easy shots and so on. What they do AFTER that is what makes them champions. They come back and keep on going again and again and again!

3. Reduce Your Pressure
By accepting that you are imperfect and that there will be imperfections in your performance, you will decrease the amount of self-induced pressure. Once you do this you can now play your OWN game the way you know how. Now you are fulfilling your obligation to express your talents to the fullest! (which means you will experience the good, the bad and the ugly at times!)

4. Accept The Paradox Of Imperfection
It's an interesting phenomenon that by accepting your imperfection, you actually begin to perform better. Why? Because simply by accepting imperfection, you immediately stop resisting what is real. Imperfection is real. You no longer fight the "invisible" battle that goes on inside yourself. When you accept this fact, you take the pressure off and free yourself up to perform at a higher level. Your energy is now funneled into doing what you know how to do and doing it to the best of your ability on that day. Handling imperfection perfectly right?

5. Tolerate Your Errors
Being imperfect means that you can tolerate your own errors and mistakes. It doesn't mean that you like them or look forward to them but it does mean that you tolerate them. When you tolerate them, you don't waste energy being angry and frustrated by them. Tolerating them means you acknowledge them and move on to refocus on the next moment that needs your attention.

Practice and strive for perfection knowing that accepting imperfection is the key to playing "full out" without fear and reservation. This is the paradox of perfection.

Copyright © David Breslow 2001 David is the author of "Wired To Win…The Mental Keys To Play Your Best Golf." and offers a highly acclaimed "Inner Athlete At Work" course to businesses as well as his "Mental Keys Clinics" to diverse groups of athletes and businesses across the country. David has appeared on The Golf Channel and ESPN radio. To learn more about individual /virtual or group programs or speaking engagements contact: David Breslow 847.681.1698