ERIN OFF CAMERA: A Slow Death Or The Only Way To Live?

“Perfectionism is a slow death, Erin”

A guidance counselor said this to me in high school.  I remember thinking, “Huh?”   I understood the point she was trying to make but I didn’t agree with her.  I still don’t.

I’ve been thinking about this encounter a lot recently because of some frustrating incidents at work.  In my opinion, most are the result of people being willing to settle for mediocrity.

I don’t get it.  If you’re going to do something, why wouldn’t you do it to the best of your ability?

I go absolutely bonkers when people are apathetic and lazy.  Everyone makes mistakes, but when people put forth no effort and the end result looks bad on the air I could just scream.  Actually, sometimes I do scream!

All I want is for people to try hard and to care about their work.

I probably spend too much time obsessing over such things.  I stew about tripping over my tongue, question the quality of my writing, cringe when I think about doing a terrible job during a speaking engagement … it would definitely be easier to not give a rip.

Here is an interesting take on failure.  I couldn’t agree more – failing is not trying.

As far a I’m concerned, doing your absolute best is the only way to live.  It doesn’t mean things turn out perfectly every time but it’s better than the alternative.

EEK

Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com