As human beings, it’s easy to fall into the trap of striving for perfection in everything we do. One area where this pursuit can take a particularly hard toll on us is when we aim to be perfect with our integrity.

For years, I struggled with the unattainable standard of expecting myself to always be 100% in integrity.

This constant pressure led to feelings of guilt and self-doubt, making me feel absolutely terrible about myself.

Today, I’ve learned to embrace the standard of being in integrity 80-90% of the time as a more realistic and achievable goal. By allowing myself some room for error and imperfection, I’ve experienced a profound shift in my mindset and personal growth.

Perfection is an illusion, and expecting it in any area of our lives, especially with our integrity, is a recipe for disappointment and self-criticism.

When I shifted my focus toward aiming for 80-90% integrity instead of 100%, I discovered that I was actually more successful in upholding my values and principles than I was when I expected perfection from myself.

This new perspective has brought a sense of balance and self-acceptance to my life. I no longer beat myself up for minor missteps but use them instead as learning opportunities. This has enabled me to grow while maintaining a sense of self-compassion and understanding.

Striving for 100% integrity is simply neither realistic nor beneficial.

By embracing an 80-90% integrity standard, we can experience personal growth and self-acceptance and live more authentically. So let go of perfectionism and watch your integrity blossom in unexpected ways.