Ep 30: 10 Reasons the World Needs Imperfect Changemakers Like You
This week, I share ten reasons why the world needs more imperfect changemakers like you and me! I talk a bit about my personal relationship with perfectionism and how I’ve been working to dismantle it in my life.
This episode was inspired by a recent episode of The Perfectionism Project. Sam Laura Brown talks about why the world needs more imperfect entrepreneurs and leaders. I’m incredibly grateful for all that I’ve learned about perfectionism from both Sam Laura Brown and Brenè Brown.
Perfectionism is one of the characteristics of White Supremacy Culture studied and compiled by Tema Okun and Kenneth Jones. For the past couple of years, I’ve been working to identify how each of these characteristics shows up in my life and shifting my perspective.
Below is a brief description of today’s episode, Ep 030: 10 Reasons The World Needs Imperfect Changemakers Like You. Please tune in to the Happy Me Happy Earth podcast for a deeper discussion and personal examples of what happens when I and other changemakers show up as our imperfect selves.
Eva facilitating an Ayurveda 101 workshop in Colorado, USA (2021)
What are imperfect changemakers?
When we hear the word “changemaker” most of us think of published authors like Layla Saad and Brenè Brown, or accomplished activists like Martin Luther King or Gretta Thumburg.
But if you Google the definition of “changemaker” you’ll see that there is no level of success, recognition, or achievement one must reach to be called a changemaker.
My working definition of “changemaker” is as follows,
“Someone who wants to build a better world and therefore pursues the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to create that world. A person who is taking action to create the change they want to see in the world.”
Since you listen to the Happy Me Happy Earth podcast and/or read this blog I am going to go out on a limb and assume that you (a) want to build a better world, and (b) are pursuing the knowledge and skills that you need to do it.
Therefore you, my friend, are a changemaker.
The authors and activists that I mentioned above are imperfect humans just like you and me. They are imperfect changemakers. We know this intellectually, and yet so many of us struggle with perfectionism.
What is perfectionism?
In the wise words of Brene Brown,
“Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfectly, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame. It’s a shield. It’s a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from flight.” – Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Many of us will do whatever it takes to avoid shame and judgment. This is completely understandable.
Biologically speaking, humans are herd animals. Therefore for most of human evolution, our survival depended on being accepted by the herd. This is one of our most basic and primal instincts. So if you, like me, tend towards perfectionist thinking there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.
Overcoming Perfectionism
That being said, we can choose to release our perfectionism. The most effective way that I have found to release my perfectionism is by focusing on the growth mindset, or what I call the Changemaker Mindset. Check out the below episodes to learn all about what the Changemaker Mindset is and how to develop it.
And here are ten helpful reminders about why showing up as your imperfect, authentic self is the most effective thing that you can do as a changemaker.
10 Reasons The World Needs Imperfect Changemakers Like Us
Below are ten reasons why the world needs each of us to show up as the unique, imperfect changemakers we already are. On the podcast, I dive into each of these points. I share personal examples of how others showing up imperfectly has impacted me, and how I take imperfect change-making actions in my life.
By showing up imperfectly we…
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- Give others permission to do the same
- Blaze new trails and challenge the current perception of what “perfect” is
- Challenge others to think outside the box
- Allow ourselves to be in the “beginner mind” instead of feeling like we need to be an expert
- Take more courageous action because we’re not scared of making mistakes or failing
- Expand our potential instead of “protecting” it by keeping ourselves small
- Live with more integrity instead of trying to present a perfect facade
- Create deeper connections with others
- Attract the people we actually want to be around or work with instead of those that we think we SHOULD spend time with
- Have a more fun and playful life!
As always, I hope that this week’s episode of the podcast, “030: 10 Reasons The World Needs Imperfect Changemakers Like You” and this blog post are helpful and inspiring for you.
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Thanks for listening and/or reading!
Podcast music: “Bounce” by Coma-Media on Pixbay
Featured image: Personal photo
