tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post1657838580974431581..comments2023-10-16T07:40:08.055-05:00Comments on Jan Morrill's Thoughts Over Coffee: The Power of ImperfectionJan Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600019541133998696noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-37461602553819316332010-10-27T08:56:12.772-05:002010-10-27T08:56:12.772-05:00Your elephant is a perfect (excuse the pun)example...Your elephant is a perfect (excuse the pun)example, Greg. It's sad that a teacher would give an "F" just because the elephant didn't look the way she thought it should.<br /><br />But, it sounds like it was a teaching lesson that you've taken to heart in your own career.Jan Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15600019541133998696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-81983999245732694402010-10-26T13:29:21.355-05:002010-10-26T13:29:21.355-05:00I've been there. I earned an F in sixth grade...I've been there. I earned an F in sixth grade art because I painted my ceramic elephant pink with blue eyes and a variety of spots. It wasn't a naturalist coloring, and it annoyed the teacher, but I liked it.<br /><br />What I try to do with my students is to guide them into better writing in their own voices. There are standards, yes, but once those are met, the realm of the good is broad and varied.Greg Camphttp://gregorycamp.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-63338080778358645902010-10-26T10:02:24.913-05:002010-10-26T10:02:24.913-05:00I love that "failing forward," Russell! ...I love that "failing forward," Russell! Nobody moves forward without some failure, and it helps to remember that when the drive for perfection holds us back. Thanks!Jan Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15600019541133998696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-54819789309887295402010-10-25T10:15:16.649-05:002010-10-25T10:15:16.649-05:00Our CEO at Tyson, Donnie Smith, encourages "f...Our CEO at Tyson, Donnie Smith, encourages "failing forward." I think that's a wonderful concept and fits right in with your comments here. I think desire and effort are more important than perfection. Often we are our own worst critic, and don't know when to leave well enough alone.Russell Gayernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-72146072220755575722010-10-18T08:47:06.594-05:002010-10-18T08:47:06.594-05:00LeAynne, I like that - "If it is worth doing,...LeAynne, I like that - "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing poorly." It's so true when you think about what didn't get done, or in my case, what got thrown away, because it was "done poorly," or, at least not perfectly.<br /><br />Linda, you're right - it is freeing, isn't it? I do have to keep reminding myself though. How many times do I quit writing, because it isn't "perfect?" It's a real limiting factor.Jan Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15600019541133998696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-31575691851993690222010-10-18T07:33:03.455-05:002010-10-18T07:33:03.455-05:00I love this Jan! Thank goodness we don't have ...I love this Jan! Thank goodness we don't have to be perfect! Where would the adventure be? Imperfection leaves room for exploration, learning, growing, and discovery. <br /><br />Beautiful message and so freeing!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214358078220293316.post-87854277344921950572010-10-17T23:21:54.349-05:002010-10-17T23:21:54.349-05:00Years ago I was watching a program for teachers on...Years ago I was watching a program for teachers on an educational station. The presenter (whose name I wish I knew so I could give him credit)<br />said "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing poorly."<br /><br />For me, that really helped.<br /><br />He wasn't saying not to strive for excellence. He wasn't saying to let mediocre be good enough. He was just saying that to be good at something (anything), you have to keep doing it, even if you're not very good at it."If it is worth doing, it is worth doing poorly."<br /><br />We've all heard the original saying - the one that ends with the word "right." That statement feels like a hammer on the head. <br /><br />But with the last word merely changed to "poorly," what I hear becomes freeing.<br />Encouraging. And I carry on joyfully.LeAynnenoreply@blogger.com