Room for Improvement…

‘There is always room for improvement.’ I have heard this saying since years beyond my remembrance now. And though, I never actually questioned it, lately my belief in this has grown immensely because of the life experiences I have had. 

Largely because of my interactions and experiences in the field of work, but I have seen huge possibilities of further improvement both in myself as well as others that I have come across. This includes people and things, whom I have seen grow in the last few years, and I thought that maybe they have reached where they were meant to be. My experiences of recent past have made me believe that there is much more to still be done or yet to be accomplished.

This room, I mean the room for improvement as I see it now is in fact the biggest room possible in the house of one’s personality. Having embraced the idea of continued improvement, the question that came to my mind was that what was it which made me think otherwise about this whole thing. What would have led me to be content with the progress I saw either in myself or in others, and thus think that there is no further possibility, or the pinnacle has been achieved.

The answer to these questions and some more like these, made me understand this whole thing a lot better, and that is exactly what makes me share my learnings with you today. My desire to share it with my world is based on two things, one, my endeavor to help people live fulfilling lives, and second, awareness about it may help some to reflect on themselves and those around, and thus bring the necessary improvements that are still possible to happen.

The first thing, which I realized took my eye away from looking at further improvement was that whatever I saw having been achieved was somewhere already beyond my earlier expectations, and thus my own standards as far as reaching satisfaction and contentment was concerned, were very low. The pleasure of having seen betterment, which fitted my own outlook, deterred me from seeking further improvement at all, and be content with what already is.

The second reason, attached to an element of surprise was that whatever improvement I saw came to surface at a time when subconsciously I had stopped to expect or have any hopes of anything changing for good ever. My multiple past experiences of having been disappointed must have led to such thoughts of mine, but what it also did was for me to surprise me and catch me off-guard, thus not being sure how to make any sense out of whatever good I saw happening.

The next reason, which is very true, no matter how silly looks like here, was the self-denial mode of not acknowledging the improvements that were very clearly showing up for themselves, both in people as well as myself. And this denial mode which led to not even seeing what was clearly showing itself, obviously could not allow me to look for anything further or beyond.

The last, but another very important reason behind this which I could identify was a fear of obsession for perfection. I understood that my belief that perfection is a place arrogance and pride, also made me think that the process of continued improvement eventually culminates at perfection. And it was my disconnect with the feelings of obsession and pride, which made me distance myself from expecting or desiring continuous improvement.

All these reasons, getting together created a situation for me which made me overlook the possibility of ever ongoing improvement. But having got this understanding, I have pledged to shift from the zone of contentment and satisfaction to a place which applauds the present level of improvement, and then encourages for the next level to be strived for.

This makes me feel much lighter, and allows me to stay afloat, being ready to acknowledge and embrace mine as well as others’ improvements, while keeping a room for further improvement.

I hope that today’s read will propel you to reflect and understand your own relationship with this sense of ongoing improvement. And whatever comes out of it subsequently, will help you feel a little more fulfilled.

Stay Safe!

Love, RB.