Let Go of the Need to Be Right

Let Go of the Need to Be Right–Is working ourselves up into a state of needless excitement simply because of a need to prove we were right anything other than an exercise in frustration and futility? If only we had been able to take a small step backwards and look at the situation in a calmer, less egotistical manner, then perhaps we might have been able to see - and to react - a little differently. After all, what have we really accomplished by always being right? Does it really bring respect, or does it simply breed resentment? Simply by giving up the burning need to be always right, we free ourselves - and others - to get on with the really useful and productive things in life. We may play being the know-it-all, but who really likes a know-it-all? A little inner humility goes a long way in the mental balance department.

Let Go of Being Perfect–Understand that being excellent does not mean being perfect. Sometimes it's easy to demand too much of ourselves. If we imagine that we need to be perfect because this means that we cannot be criticized, then we need to do some serious work on self-acceptance. Don't waste your time attempting to make something absolutely perfect. It really is far more effective and useful to finish a task in a timely manner than it is to spend forever in a futile attempt to be perfect. There really is no point in dragging things on forever trying to get it perfect. Do your very best and then move on. Do this often enough and your best - and you - will just keep on getting better in a natural, progressive and balanced manner.

Let Go of Trying–And start doing. This is where those advertising people working for Nike were on the money: What a wonderful slogan! 'Just Do It!' With that attitude we pretty much guarantee positive results. And, of course, mental balance is all in the attitude. The problem with trying, as opposed to doing, is that whenever we try, we set ourselves up to fail. You didn't try to open this page, you just did it. You didn't try to get out of bed, you just did it. We give ourselves excuses when we merely try. Lying to ourselves about ourselves and making excuses for ourselves really isn't the best way to achieve mental balance: We need to get honest. We either do it or we don't. It really is that simple. The choice is simple: either we act or we don't. Did I mention simple? When we allow ourselves to let go of trying, then we allow ourselves to begin doing. And doing allows us to move forward and grow. Set goals and start achieving them -- go on, just do it!