The other day I was watching an online video advertisement created by an online marketer and I realised that the Hollywood quality production completely demoralised me. This person (and quite a few others these days) had stripped the personality and quirks from their work to embrace the quest for perfection.
It was demotivating because it was clear that here was something that the average person could not do, not even come close to recreating. While I could appreciate the time and money that had gone into making the videos, whatever was meant to be said, was lost. The message that I (and maybe me alone) heard was – “you can’t do this, so don’t even try”.
It was the complete opposite of something I am exploring at the moment.
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic appreciation; taking delight in something that is neither permanent, complete or perfect.
“Wabi is a feeling of loneliness or solitude, reflecting a sense of nonattachment and appreciation for the spontaneous unfolding of circumstances. It is like the quiet that comes from a winter snowfall, where all the sounds are hushed and stillness envelops everything. Sabi is the suchness of ordinary objects, the basic, unmistakable uniqueness of a thing in and of itself.”
From ” The Zen of Creativity”
John Daido Loori
When I think about it, the best way I can explain my enjoyment of something that is not completely removed from the reality of our lives is ”it is what it is, because it is how we are”. Yeah I know, kind of heavy and probably woo-woo for some. Still I believe it is something we in the West can learn a great deal from and here are a few reasons why…
Perfection is a Demotivator
The Western quest for perfection is futile, there is always something that can be improved. Even if it is the amount of times we can produce a flawless item. The best quality control processes in the world (also Japanese) are unable to consistently and continually mistake-free items (just ask Toyota).
The quest for perfection stops more people from starting than it motivates people to continue.
Perfection is sterile, soulless and cold because it cannot be human.
Perfection delays, slows and depresses. Where many good things could be bought to life, fewer exist because of this need for perfection.
The disciples of perfection will abort creative effort in favour of reproducing the same thing over and over, trying to get it right.
True artists do not seek perfection in their art, it is finished when it says what they want it to say, and no more.
Hypocritical Allison
Why am I so keen to embrace wabi-sabi? Because I am a perfectionist in many ways. I feel physically sick when I look at some of the things I am halfway through producing, because I cannot make them as perfect as I want them. I see how they are and I want them to be something else. They are a reflection of me personally, and I don’t like thinking I cannot be perfect. This Western way of thinking is really doing my head and spirit in and I don’t like it.
Somehow it also fits in with my struggle with my health. I cannot control and perfect my own body and I am seeking to do so via other means. Truly unhealthy in more ways than one.
So here’s to the perfectly imperfect, and here’s to learning to be happy that way.
The irony was that after 20 minutes of looking for the "perfect" picture to illustrate what i felt, I chose something close enough. Thanks to withrow for the picture
Planned and executed my exit from the corporate world. Walked away with a 6 figure payment to boot.
A quote I’ve often heard: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
And for the most part I avoid any online marketer that forces me to watch a video to find out what he’s selling.
And thanks for sharing wabi-sabi…
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What this really makes me think of is forgiveness. You have to forgive yourself for not being perfect. You also leave yourself vulnerable to the forgiveness of others. It’s easy to forgive yourself for being imperfect when what you produce is still so above average, that almost everyone else will praise you for it. It’s a lot harder to forgive yourself when you know others are going to openly see your imperfection.
John – It’s funny but I avoid any online marketer who makes me read half of a long form sales letter to find out what he’s selling. I’d much prefer a two minute video to help me decide if the reading is worth more time.
-Eric Dobson
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The leaf looks lonely. So sad and beautiful all at the same time. So poetic, now that’s photography, able to instigate emotion.
I swear we are twins separated at birth (and by a number of years – not sure how that works). I was just thinking about things being perfectly imperfect this week too. Maybe I saw the same video and that triggered the thoughts? The main reason was when I watched this video of Star Wars Uncut http://www.podcastingnews.com/2010/04/15/star-wars-uncut-will-make-you-forget-about-jar-jar-binks-completely/ Wonderfully imperfect yet the most astonishing piece of work I have seen in yages (I know the experise behind putting it together is immense but the nature of it is that any amateur filmmaker/fan could contribute).
For me an imperfect-perfect day was for me sipping hot coffee on a sunny day. After seeing the video, it gather my thoughts about life.
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Looking for perfection does nothing but spoiling our happiness with what we have. I think when you are satisfied with your situation it will look perfect in your eyes.