If we’re honest, many of us face a deep, underlying tension of wanting to be better though we know we can’t stretch ourselves too far. We know our limits, and yet, we always try to beat those restrictions, hoping we could be better.
But that struggle is difficult, and if we’re not careful, it could burn us out.
Lately, I’ve been feeling this struggle to be more. I tried piling on more work for me to do, more opportunities to further my family’s income, and more time with friends.
But at the end of the day, I had to come to the end of myself. Exhausted from working three jobs prior that day and trying to get my business going, I collapsed on my couch, took a deep breath, and confronted my limits once again.
Before, my limits used to scare me. But in my moment of exhaustion, I realized they were there to save me.
From that moment on, I made a habit to tell myself one statement anytime I wanted to push myself past my limits:
“I’m not perfect.”
That statement will save your life.
Many of us don’t want to accept that truth, but in a world of choices, noise, and options, we need to cling to this truth to keep us sane. Doing so will save us from burnout, from ruining relationships, and from thinking too highly of ourselves.
Yet, the best benefit of telling myself this statement has been the tremendous impact it’s made on my ability to make a difference.
When you confront your limits and admit your imperfection, you choose to meet people on the plane of humanity—the only place where it’s possible to impact people’s lives.
You can’t elevate yourself to extraordinary heights and expect to influence people. That’s not how Jesus did it, and that’s not how you will do it.
Instead, confess you’re not perfect. It’s a necessary condition for getting started on the selfless life.
Here are some situations in which saying this statement to yourself can save you and others:
1. When correcting others.
You are not perfect. Don’t place yourself as the model for others to live up to when you are correcting them. Humbly confess you mess up too.
2. When trying to achieve.
You are not perfect. You can’t do everything you put your mind to. While that might sound discouraging, it’s also freeing. It allows you to put your energy toward the things you are meant to do.
3. When judging.
You are not perfect. When you are looking at someone with disdain, remember you have flaws too, some that might even be worse.
4. When trying to do everything.
You are not perfect. If you are trying to balance everything on your plate, realize that you can only pile on so much before things start to topple.
It’s time we stop fearing our limits, and instead, learn to embrace them. By saying “I’m not perfect” you acknowledge you are human, and that you only have so much energy to expend. You don’t make yourself into something you’re not. You instead live meaningfully within the truth that you are only capable of so much.
Save yourself some headache and make this statement part of your daily repertoire.
If you liked this post, check out:
Getting Over the Urge to Prove Yourself
The Essential Difference Between You and the Person Next to You