Discouraged

 

“I’m feeling discouraged and overwhelmed,” she said. 

“There is so much I need to do, 

But by the time I get home,

I’ve used up all my energy and reserves

And there’s nothing left to give.

I know what I need to do. 

I can see the steps that I need to take. 

But I just can’t make myself take them 

Because I’m too tired and spent”

 

I listened. 

 

And I understood. 

 

And I imagine that many of you do as well. 

 

I’ve always liked pass/fail grading. 

For me, it puts the emphasis on learning rather than trying to perform for a grade and be the best. 

I had never thought about giving my day a pass/fail grade until recently. 

I read about the idea in my Hope book. 

Instead of judging my performance on how well I do something each day, 

I should judge myself on whether or not I even do something for the day. 

 

This is especially true for large projects

that overwhelm,

Discourage, 

And feel like dementors sucking life from your soul. 

It doesn’t matter how well you do these projects,

If you complete them in one sitting or

If you leave the tasks open. 

What matters is that you have done them at all.

What matters is that you have chipped away at the project in any way. 

What matters is that you have been consistent,

Not perfect.

 

Let me say that again:

What matters is that you have been consistent, 

Not perfect. 

 

For this perfectionist who thrives on project completion, 

This Pass/fail grading of consistency is good news. 

 

Maybe it’s good news for you as well.