Stop Trying To Be Perfect | Mel Robbins

TL;DR

Stop trying to be perfect and start before you feel ready, because mistakes are where learning happens. After Mel Robbins forgot to pick up her son for almost an hour, he reminded her that he wanted his mom, not a perfect mom. She argues that imperfect action helps you move ahead, while waiting for the right script, appearance, or moment makes you miss out on life. Read on for her practical perspective.

Transcript

I had something happen yesterday it's something that I'm not proud of it's something that I felt really bad what had happened I had a crazy overwhelming day everything was coming at me from a million different directions I was being pulled in a million different directions Chris and my daughter was home from college and she's sorting out her summer... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 Overwhelming days and the pressure to be perfect can lead to mistakes and guilt.
• ❓ Embracing imperfections and being authentic is more important than striving for perfection.
• ❓ Mistakes and imperfections provide valuable learning experiences.
• 🥡 Taking action and starting before feeling ready is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• 🌍 The world needs individuals who are willing to be themselves rather than striving for perfection.
• 🤳 Cutting oneself some slack and understanding that it's okay to make mistakes is crucial for self-acceptance and happiness.
• 🛟 Waiting for perfection prevents one from fully experiencing and living life.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does Mel Robbins say you should stop trying to be perfect?

Mel Robbins says the world does not need another perfect person; it needs you as you are, trying your best. Striving for perfection can keep you from taking action and fully living your life.

Q: What happened that made Mel Robbins feel like she had failed as a mother?

After an overwhelming day, Mel Robbins realized she was supposed to pick up her son from school almost an hour earlier. When he got into the car, she cried and told him she felt she had failed him and was not the perfect mom she should be.

Q: How did Mel Robbins's son respond when she apologized?

Her son said that if she had been on time, she would be like the perfect moms who are always in their children's business and never do anything wrong. He told her, “I don't want a perfect mom, I want my mom.”

Q: What does Mel Robbins mean by “start before you're ready”?

She means taking action even when your preparation, script, appearance, or execution is imperfect. She gives examples such as making a cold call without the perfect script and putting yourself out there before your body looks perfect.

Q: Why are mistakes valuable according to Mel Robbins?

Mel Robbins says mistakes are where all the learning is. She also describes mistakes and imperfect work as the place where “the gold” can be found.

Q: How can perfectionism cause someone to miss out on life?

Waiting for the right script, a perfect body, or flawless preparation delays meaningful action. Mel Robbins says that while people keep trying to make everything perfect, they are missing out on their lives.

Q: What imperfect actions does Mel Robbins take in her own work?

She says she shows up in her rollers and starts live streams even when things may go wrong. She has disconnected herself or begun talking without realizing she was already broadcasting.

Q: What should you do on days when you feel overwhelmed?

Mel Robbins advises cutting yourself a break and accepting that you cannot always answer every email or handle everything perfectly. She says it is okay to feel underwater because you will get through it and figure it out.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker had a busy and overwhelming day, which caused her to forget to pick up her son from school. She felt guilty and expressed her feelings to her son, who reassured her that he doesn't need a perfect mom.

• The world doesn't need perfect individuals, but rather authentic and imperfect ones. It's important to cut oneself some slack and stop striving for perfection.

• Mistakes and imperfections provide valuable learning opportunities. It's crucial to take action and start before feeling fully ready.