The Daily Groove
The 51% Principle
by Scott Noelle, posted on 2006-09-26
On your parenting journey, remember that 100% perfection is not required for success. In fact, 51% is enough to guarantee progress.
And as a leading-edge parent, progress is success. There is no final state of perfection; you'll always be progressing.
Just as an election can be won with only 51% of the vote, you've got lots of room for error. So just relax and look for ways to emphasize and focus on what is working. :)
Great reminder - So Grounding for me!
Thanks Scott,
I have found this to be a very very useful reminder in the sessions Ive had with you - and good to read it again here. Its stopped me giving myself such a goddamn hard time for not being able to be my own picture of the ideal parent ALL the time, an impossible thing to achieve! By offering this to myself, I can then offer heartcentred compassion to my children more easily.
Warm thoughts,
Hilary in NZ / ds 12yrs, ds 4yrs, dd 7months
Re: The 51% Principle
Like the other commenter, I needed to hear this! I am so hard on myself about all the things I don't do "right" (in parenting and other areas) but if I keep doing better I'm moving in the right direction. My kids don't need a perfect mom! (Well, they might need one but they're not going to get one.) They need a mom who loves them, listens to them, and is there for them. I've got that part down so I think I've got my 51% already.