Power of a Single Word
Words hold power, whether spoken out loud or quietly to ourselves. There are some words that have been misused and abused. In my opinion, “perfection” is in the top 3 of most destructive words and concepts. Perfection is a myth. The strive for perfection is unattainable and places incredible stress on those that carry the burden of trying to achieve it.
From my own personal experience in family, school, and work, I knew the destructive nature of the expectation of perfection. Then I had children. Smart, amazing, beautiful children, and I saw them fall prey to these same expectations. Where was it coming from and how do we stop it?
A Simple Spark
Earlier this year, just days before my birthday, I experienced another shift. Shifts to me are when you unlearn something you have learned, or discover a new perspective that fits so much better – and usually more peacefully – into your life.
On that morning, I remember being tired and frustrated. Another week passed where things didn’t go to plan. My to do lists only got longer, and my energy was only getting lower.
I started the day with my usual routine: a little reading, a little meditating and a little journaling. Coffee in hand, I got comfortable in my favorite chair, and this simple sentence appeared on the screen, “…replace perfection with progress…”. The other words on the page melted away, and that small phrase, those four words became a flame in my mind and my heart, burning away old beliefs and old ways of thinking.
[Original Journal Entry, January 17, 2025 – Fran Attilio]
These are the new words, the new thoughts! The move away from perfectionism. The move away from ridiculous expectations of myself. Recently, someone said to me how they see that I give everyone else so much grace, but right and wrong is very black and white for myself. This goes with everything. I speak gently to my team, my children, my friends, offering them thoughts and words to go gentle on themselves, recognize their humanity, and that they’re doing the best they can. And then I wake up every morning beating myself up; what I didn’t do, what I could do better, and never recognizing the things that I’ve done well. That’s going to change and I feel the shift happening.
Progress and productivity. Being productive and making progress. It just feels good. This shift in mindset just feels good. There’s another one in there: permission. Permission to have a day where it doesn’t go to plan. I think there’s another one in there: patience. And let’s not forget persistence. And practice. Along with purpose, promise, and principles. I wonder why the letter ‘p’ has so many wonderful words in it!
And So It Began
That journal entry went on for a bit longer, and at the end, I remember the 10 Power words just flowing, like they were waiting for me to find them all along. Ten words to permanently replace perfectionism!
Some were words I have used in business strategies for years (Patience and Persistence), some of the words are inspired by what I do as an integrative marketing strategist (Purpose, Promise, Principle, Plan), and the others just filled in as if they were there all along.
Did you know? Just like numbers, letters hold their own power. P is the numerical equivalent of 7 and represents power itself. It carries with it a commanding influence and possesses much knowledge. The energy represented by the letter P resonates with the ideas of scientific knowledge, spiritual knowledge, wisdom, independence, and family. It is an intuitive energy.
The 10 Power Words to Replace Perfection
Here they are! Explore each one and feel into the ones that are right and best for you. Explore one at a time or put the whole list on your wall! We will be sharing each word individually over the next 10 weeks, with downloads and other related shares.
- Permission
- Progress
- Productivity
- Purpose
- Promise
- Principles
- Plan
- Patience
- Persistence
- Practice
Click here to listen to podcast episode on the launch of this concept!
Meet the Author
Fran Attilio is the Chief Integrative Marketing Strategist at Ten Touch Creative. Fran is Reiki 2 attuned (currently in master mentorship program), and 200-hour trauma informed yoga teacher. Fran’s approach integrates her learnings in energy and yoga training, and she is here to change the way we think about our businesses. Business cultures traditionally have used “it’s not personal, it’s business” as a shield for years. The first thought to change – it’s all personal. Everything we do in and for our businesses is rooted in who we are and what we believe. Entrepreneurs go out on their own to do things differently, and we are here to help them find success doing what they love.